The ISEE at Home: What to Expect

You can now take the ISEE at home, making it safe and easy to take this important admissions test. There are three different proctoring options when you take the ISEE at home: you can take the test through ProProctor, a school, or ERB. This guide includes information about taking the ISEE through ProProctor. The at-home testing option is available for the Lower, Middle, and Upper levels.

Although the structure and content of the ISEE at home test is the same, the experience of taking the test at home is different from taking the test in person. Understanding what the testing experience will be like will help ease test-day nerves and ensure that you are prepared.

Before Test Day

Technical Requirements

To take the ISEE at home, you will need a computer or laptop with a webcam. You can use wired headphones that are connected to the computer or laptop, but wireless or bluetooth headphones are not permitted.

You will also need reliable internet access. It’s highly recommended that your computer or laptop is connected directly into your internet router via an Ethernet cable. If that’s not possible, be sure to find a place where the WiFi connection is strong. Also, make sure other members of the household are limiting the use of internet while you’re testing.

Before test day, read the ProProctor User Guide and complete the System Readiness Check on the computer or laptop you will be using on test day. Then, download and install the ProProctor application, which is where you will be taking the test.

Other Requirements

Find a quiet space where you can be alone during testing. Make sure you have a clear work area, such as a desk or table, and a chair.

On Test Day

Login to the ProProctor site and start the pre-testing setup at the check-in time noted in your confirmation email. The check-in time is about 30 minutes before the start time. Part of the check-in entails taking a picture of the student and the student’s ID. Be sure to review the list of approved IDs in the confirmation email. A parent or guardian is allowed to be in the room during the initial set up, but they must leave when the test starts.

Proctor

After check-in, your ProProctor Readiness Agent will conduct three security checks before starting the test. First, the proctor will confirm your name, address, and test details. Next, the proctor will perform an environment check during which you will use your webcam to show the proctor a 360 degree view of your workspace. Finally, the proctor will do a student check by asking you to turn your pockets inside out, pulling up your selves, ect. to make sure you don’t have any unauthorized items.

If you do need assistance, the proctor will be available throughout the test. You can chat with the proctor by using the “Live Proctor” or “Chat” feature on the right side of the screen. Please keep in mind that the proctor is there to provide technical support and won’t be able to help with questions on the test.

Breakdown

Lower Level

The Lower Level is for students applying to grades 5 or 6.

Middle and Upper Level

The Middle Level is for students applying to grades 7 or 8.The Upper Level is for students applying to grades 9-12.

Navigation

Selecting an Answer

For the multiple choice questions, simply click on the letter next to the answer choice to select that answer. 

ISEE at home:

ISEE Practice on Test Innovators:

Moving Between Questions

You will be able to move between questions by using the “previous” or “next” buttons.

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ISEE Practice on Test Innovators:

Going Back to Questions

ISEE at home:

On the ISEE at home, you can use the “Review” window to see the questions have been answered, the questions haven’t been answered, and the questions that have been flagged. You can click on the question in the Review window to go directly to that question.

ISEE Practice on Test Innovators:

On the Test Innovators practice platform, the questions that have been answered will be shaded blue, the questions that haven’t been answered will be white, and the questions that have been flagged will have an orange dot above them. You can click on the question number to go directly to that question.

Typing the Essay

During the Essay section, you will type your essay in the space provided. 

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ISEE Practice on Test Innovators:

Finishing a Section Early

If you complete a section before the time runs out, you can check your work on that section and then finish the section when you’re ready.

ISEE at home:

ISEE Practice on Test Innovators:

Finishing a Section

When the time is up, you will be prompted to move onto the next section.

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ISEE Practice on Test Innovators:

Tools

Highlighting

You can use the highlighter tool to highlight important information. Simply click and drag your mouse over the text you want to highlight. 

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ISEE Practice on Test Innovators:

Eliminating Answer Choices

You can eliminate wrong answer choices to narrow down the answer choices.

ISEE at home:

To eliminate answer choices on the ISEE at home, click the ‘strikeout option’ and then click on the answer choice you’d like to cross off.

ISEE Practice on Test Innovators:

To eliminate answer choices on the Test Innovators practice platform, click on the ‘x’ next to the answer choice. 

Flagging Questions 

You can flag questions you want to come back to later. 

ISEE at home:

To flag questions on the ISEE at home, click on the flag icon in the top left corner. 

ISEE Practice on Test Innovators:

To flag questions on the Test Innovators practice platform, click on the “come back later” button. An orange dot will appear above flagged questions.  

After Test Day

Scores

When you take the ISEE at home, your scores will be available within 24-72 hours and can be accessed on the ERB online parent portal.

Taking the Test Again

If you aren’t happy with your scores, you may be able to take the test again. Students can take the ISEE up to three times per year, once during each of the three testing seasons. The testing seasons are Fall (August-November), Winter (December-March), and Spring/Summer (April-July). 

For more information about the ISEE at home, check out the ERB’s site.

To prepare for the ISEE, check out ISEE prep from Test Innovators, the only ERB-endorsed ISEE test prep. Start your personalized preparation today!