Preparing for the ISEE Essay
The final section of the ISEE is the Essay. Students are given 30 minutes to respond to a prompt. While the Essay section is not scored, a copy of the writing sample is sent to schools along with the ISEE score report. As you prepare for the ISEE Essay section, it’s important to understand its purpose and know what to expect on test day.
The Why
The ISEE writing sample offers admissions staff valuable insight into a student’s character, personality, and writing ability. Oftentimes, target schools may have their own separate application essay as part of the admissions process. In these cases, admissions teams may compare a student’s writing sample to their application essays. This helps schools evaluate how students express themselves independently. Many students, parents, and guardians underestimate the importance of this section and, as a result, tend to under-prepare.
Writing a Persuasive Essay
The most important thing to remember is that this essay is your chance to let schools get to know the real you–your values, passions, and personality. Use it to express what matters to you. In advance of test day, spend some time brainstorming topics: people, events, and/or activities that you could reference in a variety of essay prompts. Having a few go-to ideas can be incredibly helpful when you’re short on time.
Three ISEE Essay Tips
- Use your time wisely. Start by taking the first 2 to 5 minutes to outline your essay. Include your main point, two to three supporting points, and any key examples or personal details you’ll use.
- Structure your writing. Spend 20 to 25 minutes writing. Your essay should include an introduction, 2-3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Use specific examples and descriptive language to bring your story or argument to life. The more personal and vivid your writing, the more memorable it will be.
- Leave time to revise. Take the final 2 to 5 minutes to revise your work. Look for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization errors. Clean writing ensures that your ideas shine without any distractions.
Originally published on August 7, 2018. Updated on April 8, 2025.
