ISEE Test Questions Explained

Is your child preparing for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)? Learn more about the ISEE test questions here and get an opportunity to understand, practice, and progress!

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About the ISEE
The Five Sections of the ISEE
ISEE Verbal Reasoning
ISEE Quantitative Reasoning
ISEE Reading Comprehension
ISEE Math Achievement
ISEE Essay
ISEE Online Test Prep

About the ISEE

The ISEE is used as an admission test for several independent and magnet schools (a magnet school is a public school with a specialized curriculum and courses) throughout the U.S. as well as abroad. The ISEE test provides a standard assessment of each applicant’s skills as well as ranking of abilities and achievements compared to other applicants.

The Five Sections of the ISEE

ISEE Verbal Reasoning section is made up of two question types: synonym and sentence completion.
ISEE Quantitative Reasoning section is made up of quantitative comparisons and word problems.
ISEE Reading Comprehension section requires the student to read six passages (five for lower level), each of which are followed relevant question which the student must then answer.
ISEE Math (Mathematics Achievement) questions comply with the national mathematics standards and requires the student to determine the problem and figure out the solution.
ISEE Essay section provides students with a topic or prompt and the student is to write and informed essay in response.

ISEE Verbal Reasoning

The ISEE Verbal Reasoning is comprised of two question types: synonyms and sentence completion. These types of questions assess one’s vocabulary and reasoning ability. The vocabulary words on the ISEE are specific to each level.

ISEE Quantitative Reasoning

The ISEE Quantitative Reasoning section assesses the child’s reasoning skills development and the level at which the child thinks mathematically, and not how much math the s/he has learned. There is almost no calculation necessary, as the focus of this section of the test is one’s mathematical reasoning ability and thinking.

There are two different types of questions on the ISEE Quantitative Reasoning: Word Problems and Quantitative Comparison Questions (only on middle and upper levels). All of the questions in the ISEE Quantitative Reasoning section are specific to each level.

ISEE Reading Comprehension

The ISEE Reading Comprehension section is comprised of reading passages followed by questions relevant to the passage. There are six types of questions that may be asked in this section. Click here to learn more about the ISEE Reading Comprehension question types.

ISEE Math Achievement

The ISEE Math section is used to assess one’s mathematical skills learned from the time s/he started school. This section differs from the ISEE Quantitative Reasoning section, as it may require students to perform calculations in order to solve problems.

ISEE Essay

Each child will be required to write a short essay in response to an ISEE Essay prompt. The essay prompt is selected at random for each test date and includes topics that are of interest to students (at each specific grade level). This section allows students the opportunity to talk about themselves and demonstrate to schools how they organize and express thoughts in writing.

Click here for free Sample Questions!

ISEE Online Test Prep

In order to be successful on the ISEE test, it is important to set aside time to prepare. TestPrep-Online offers level-specific, child-friendly ISEE practice test packs to help your child be prepared for test day. The ISEE practice test pack includes realistic practice tests and helpful tips, allowing your child to become familiar with the test structure. Help your child start preparing for the ISEE test with TestPrep-Online so that s/he can come to the test with confidence and ready to succeed.

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