How Long Is the ISEE?
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 admission, not by your current grade level.
The ISEE can be taken online or on paper. Both formats have the same number of questions and identical timing for each test level.
The length of the ISEE varies by test level. Check out the timing and number of questions for each level below!
Upper and Middle Levels
Students applying to grades 9-12 take the Upper Level, and students applying to grades 7-8 take the Middle Level.
For both levels, the test is a total of 2 hours and 50 minutes, including two breaks, and consists of five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and the Essay.
| SECTION | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | TIME |
|---|---|---|
|
Verbal Reasoning |
40 questions |
20 minutes |
|
Quantitative Reasoning |
37 questions
|
35 minutes
|
|
Break
|
--- |
5-10 minutes
|
|
Reading Comprehension
|
36 questions |
35 minutes |
|
Mathematics Achievement
|
47 questions |
40 minutes |
|
Break |
--- |
5-10 minutes |
|
Essay |
1 prompt |
30 minutes |
|
TOTAL
|
160 questions + 1 essay prompt |
2 hours and 50 minutes |
Lower Level
Students applying to grades 5-6 take the Lower Level. The Lower Level test lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes, including two breaks, and consists of five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and the Essay.
Below is a breakdown of the Lower Level ISEE:
| SECTION | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | TIME |
|---|---|---|
|
Verbal Reasoning |
34 questions |
20 minutes |
|
Quantitative Reasoning |
38 questions
|
35 minutes
|
|
Break
|
--- |
5-10 minutes
|
|
Reading Comprehension
|
25 questions |
25 minutes |
|
Mathematics Achievement
|
30 questions |
30 minutes |
|
Break |
--- |
5-10 minutes |
|
Essay |
1 prompt |
30 minutes |
|
TOTAL
|
127 questions + 1 essay prompt |
2 hours and 30 minutes |
Primary Level
Students applying to grades 2-4 take the Primary Level. The structure and timing of the Primary Level ISEE varies by grade level.
Primary Level 4:
The Primary Level 4 test is taken by students applying to fourth grade. It lasts a total of 65 minutes, including one break, and consists of two sections: Reading Comprehension and Mathematics.
Below is a breakdown of the Primary Level 4 ISEE:
| SECTION | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | TIME |
|---|---|---|
|
Reading Comprehension
|
28 questions |
30 minutes |
|
Break |
--- |
5-10 minutes |
|
Mathematics |
28 questions |
30 minutes |
|
TOTAL
|
56 questions |
70 minutes |
Primary Level 3:
The Primary Level 3 test is taken by students applying to third grade. It lasts a total of 59 minutes, including one break, and consists of two sections: Reading Comprehension and Mathematics.
Below is a breakdown of the Primary Level 3 ISEE:
| SECTION | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | TIME |
|---|---|---|
|
Reading Comprehension
|
24 questions |
28 minutes |
|
Break |
--- |
5-10 minutes |
|
Mathematics
|
24 questions |
26 minutes |
|
TOTAL
|
48 questions |
64 minutes |
Primary Level 2:
The Primary Level 2 test is taken by students applying to second grade. It lasts a total of 58 minutes, including one break, and consists of three sections: Auditory Comprehension, Reading, and Mathematics.
Below is a breakdown of the Primary Level 2 ISEE:
| SECTION | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | TIME |
|---|---|---|
|
Auditory Comprehension
|
6 questions |
7 minutes |
|
Reading
|
18 questions |
20 minutes |
|
Break |
--- |
5-10 minutes |
|
Mathematics
|
24 questions |
26 minutes |
|
TOTAL
|
48 questions |
63 minutes |
The best way to familiarize yourself with the ISEE is to take a full-length practice test!
Take an ISEE practice test today!
Originally published on December 22, 2022. Updated on March 28, 2025.
