Why Summer Is the Best Time to Start Preparing for the ISEE and SSAT
Summer break is an important time to rest, recover, and renew before the next school year. But it’s also the perfect time to begin preparing for the ISEE and SSAT!
With fewer distractions and less academic pressure, summer gives you the opportunity to build skills and gear up for the fall in a less stressful and more productive way. Here are four reasons why getting a head start on ISEE and SSAT prep this summer is a smart move.
1. Time to Prep Without the Stress
During the school year, your time is divided between homework, sports, clubs, and other responsibilities. With so much going on, it’s tough to carve out time for test prep.
Summer break gives you the rare opportunity to learn at your own pace. Without the usual chaos of the school year, you can create and implement a prep routine that works with your schedule. Short, consistent study sessions (45–60 minutes, two to four times a week) will help you retain information better and reduce the chance of burnout.
Plus, summer flexibility means you can explore and engage with helpful resources like one-on-one tutoring or group prep classes that might not fit into your regular school schedule.
- Check out ISEE tutoring and classes here.
- Check out SSAT tutoring and classes here.
2. Room to Strengthen Core Skills
The ISEE and SSAT test a wide range of topics, and it can be easy to let some skills fall between the cracks during the school year. Summer is your chance to slow down and focus on the areas that may need a little work!
Maybe you want to expand your vocabulary, sharpen your math problem-solving skills, or build more confidence in reading comprehension. With more free time and less academic pressure, you can tackle topics you struggled with and learn new things.
3. More Testing Opportunities Later
If you begin studying for the ISEE and SSAT now, you’ll be ready to take the test earlier in the fall, which will give you more chances to test! Starting early means you will likely have time for a second attempt if needed.
You can use your first score report to understand your strengths and weaknesses, and then adjust your prep accordingly. Early testing gives you room to breathe so that you can improve your skills and adapt your strategy without racing against your application deadlines.
4. Focus on Applications in the Fall
It’s important to remember that test scores are only one part of your school applications. Essays, interviews, and recommendation letters all play a big role—and those take time, too!
By getting started with your test prep over the summer, you’ll free up invaluable time during the fall that can be used to focus on polishing other application components. You’ll be setting yourself up to feel confident, less rushed, and better prepared for the rest of the application process.
Bonus: Avoid the Summer Slide
The “summer slide” refers to the learning loss that happens during the summer months between school years. Staying academically engaged is the key to combating the summer slide, and practicing for the ISEE and SSAT is a great way to keep your brain active!
Final Thoughts
Summer is a fantastic opportunity to not only rest but to get ready for admissions exams and applications before heading into the busy school year. Preparing for the ISEE and SSAT now will set you up for success later on so that you can go into the new school year with stronger skills, greater confidence, and a clear plan!
