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 has several levels: Upper, Middle, Lower, and Primary. The level you take depends on what grade you’re applying to, rather than your current grade. The length of the ISEE varies depending on the level. Check out how long each level is below.
Upper and Middle Level
Students applying to grades 7-8 take the Middle Level, and students applying to grades 9-12 take the Upper Level. Both levels are a total of 2 hours and 50 minutes, which includes two breaks.
Both the Middle and Upper Levels also consist of five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and the Essay. The test is offered on the computer and on paper.
Below is a breakdown of the Middle Level and Upper Level ISEE:
| 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
|
161 questions |
2 hours and 50 minutes |
Lower Level
Students applying to grades 5-6 take the Lower Level. The Lower Level is 2 hours and 30 minutes, including two breaks.
The Lower Level consists of five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and the Essay. The test is offered on the computer and on paper.
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
|
128 questions |
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. The Primary Level can be taken on the computer or on paper.
Primary Level 4:
Primary Level 4 is taken by students applying to fourth grade. It is a total of 65 minutes, including one break. Primary Level 4 has just two sections: Reading Comprehension and Mathematics.
Below is a breakdown of the Primary 4 ISEE:
| SECTION | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | TIME |
|---|---|---|
|
Reading Comprehension
|
28 questions |
30 minutes |
|
Break |
--- |
5 minutes |
|
Mathematics |
28 questions |
30 minutes |
|
TOTAL
|
56 questions |
65 minutes |
Primary Level 3:
Primary Level 3 is taken by students applying to third grade. It is a total of 59 minutes, including one break. Primary Level 3 has just two sections: Reading Comprehension and Mathematics.
Below is a breakdown of the Primary 3 ISEE:
| SECTION | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | TIME |
|---|---|---|
|
Reading Comprehension
|
24 questions |
28 minutes |
|
Break |
--- |
5 minutes |
|
Mathematics
|
24 questions |
26 minutes |
|
TOTAL
|
48 questions |
59 minutes |
Primary Level 2:
Primary Level 2 is taken by students applying to second grade. It is a total of 58 minutes, including one break. Primary Level 2 has three sections: Auditory Comprehension, Reading, and Mathematics.
Below is a breakdown of the Primary 2 ISEE:
| SECTION | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | TIME |
|---|---|---|
|
Auditory Comprehension
|
6 questions |
7 minutes |
|
Reading
|
18 questions |
20 minutes |
|
Break |
--- |
5 minutes |
|
Mathematics
|
24 questions |
26 minutes |
|
TOTAL
|
48 questions |
58 minutes |
The best way to familiarize yourself with the ISEE is to take a full-length practice test!
Take a practice test here!
