Neal Kamsler has worked in New York City independent schools for 35 years, including 21 years as Head of Upper School at Allen-Stevenson School. He also serves as Senior Director of Placement at Oliver Scholars, an educational access organization based in Manhattan. Test Innovators’ CEO, Edan Shahar, sits down with Neal to discuss independent school admissions: choosing the right school for your child, misconceptions about boarding school, and how admissions departments decide who to accept.
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is an admissions exam used by private and independent schools as part of the admissions process.
The ISEE is separated into different testing levels: Upper, Middle, Lower, and Primary. The level you’ll need to take is determined by the grade to which you’re applying for...
Remember to take your practice exams in calm, non-distracting settings, get adequate sleep (especially the few nights before your test), and relax and breathe, both as your prepare and on test day.
Why are practice tests such a critical piece of preparation?
The American Psychological Association defines the testing effect as the psychological finding that retention is better when taking a test compared to restudying the same material. The testing effect, also called retrieval practice, indicates that practice tests are a more effective...
Most people know that it’s important to take a few practice tests before the real exam, but what’s really crucial is learning from that practice. And sometimes that’s easier said than done.
Our team of ISEE educators and tech gurus have created an easy-to-use, online system that offers instant feedback on...
We are thrilled to introduce Bei, another one of our 2023 scholars. Through focus and consistency, Bei was able to increase his ISEE score by 19%, scoring in the 97th percentile overall!
Due to the recent coronavirus outbreak, The Enrollment Management Association (EMA), makers of the SSAT, is taking preventative steps to ensure the safety of students, test center administrators and proctors, members, and employees. They are closing test centers in impacted areas and requiring a completed Travel Declaration from anyone entering...
Since the Writing Sample is the only unscored portion of the ISEE, it can be tough to know what to expect and how to approach it. Learn the facts about the ISEE Writing Sample so you can enter test day with confidence!
About the SSAT Writing Sample
The first section of the SSAT is a timed writing sample.
The prompts vary by test level, with Upper and Middle level students choosing between two differing prompts, and Elementary level students being asked to write a story based on a visual prompt. Upper and Middle level...
