Greg Jones served a long and illustrious career in education. Recently retired, Jones was the Director of Enrollment Management and Admissions at Epiphany School for 14 years and a middle school Humanities teacher, department chair, and admissions committee member at The Northwest School for 15 years, both located in Seattle, Washington.
In this conversation with Test Innovators’ CEO, Edan Shahar, Greg talks about his experience helping 8th graders find the best high school fit, and offers his advice for parents as they navigate the admissions process.
Originally published on December 12, 2018. Updated on January 5, 2026.
The first step in your SSAT prep is to take a full-length practice test. The initial practice test serves as a benchmark, or diagnostic test, and is the jumping-off point of the preparation process. We generally recommend taking this test as early as possible, but it is never too late.
The Middle Level ISEE is taken by students applying to grades 7 and 8. The test is administered on the computer and on paper. It consists of five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and the Essay.
Yesterday Test Innovators' Director of Education Brenna O'Neill revealed the strategies and secrets she and her team of highly experienced tutors have developed over years of preparing students for the SSAT. You can view the recording below:
Applying to private and independent schools can feel overwhelming, especially with all the steps involved; but with some careful planning and preparation, it can also be a rewarding journey. If you're preparing to apply this fall, here are four essential steps to take during the summer:
1. Do Your Research
Before diving...
The SSAT score report is one component of the application process to independent schools. It is important to know how to send your score report to prospective schools so that you can make sure your scores arrive before the application deadline. There are a few different opportunities for you...
Did you know there's a technical term for an incorrect answer choices on multiple-choice tests? They're called distractors.
Distractors aren't random. They're designed to test your understanding by tempting you to choose the wrong answer. They often work by sounding convincing or familiar, by anticipating common mistakes, or by including details...
You’ve completed the ISEE—congratulations! You might now be wondering how long it will take for your scores to arrive. It depends on how you took the test!
Noodle Pros, a cohort of experienced professional educators, is a Test Innovators partner based in New York City. Drawing on their collective expertise, they provide online and in-person high-stakes test prep and academic tutoring to students in fourteen states and three countries.
Kelly Clement is an expert SSAT & ISEE tutor...
