How Many Times Can I Retake the ISEE?
You took the ISEE, but when you get your scores back, they aren’t what you were hoping for. So you wonder, “Can I take the test again?”
You’re in luck because the ISEE can be taken up to three times per year. There are three testing seasons in every 12-month admission cycle, and you can take the test once per season. The admission cycle runs from August 1st to July 31st each year.
ISEE Testing Seasons
Fall: August – November
Winter: December – March
Spring/Summer: April – July
Many students do take the test more than once, and students who choose to test more than once often improve their scores each time they take the test.
As you prepare to take the test again, the first thing you should do is a critical self-evaluation of your test performance:
- Were there types of questions you weren’t familiar with?
- Did you run out of time on any of the sections?
- Was there a particular section that tripped you up?
- Was it difficult to maintain focus during the entire test?
Thinking back on the test and identifying what your strengths and weaknesses were is crucial to improving your performance the next time you take the test.
After you’ve reflected on how the test went, it’s time to get practicing! Taking highly accurate full-length practice tests is the best way to improve on the ISEE. Make sure you simulate the test-taking environment while practicing. Don’t take more breaks than you’re given on the official test, and work to build your endurance – having a clear head and precision focus for such a long time is one of the most challenging things about test day!
Practice tests will help you determine your strengths and weaknesses so you can narrow in on specific areas for improvement. These areas of improvement can range from overall test-taking strategies, such as time management or guessing/skipping questions, to gaining more content knowledge. Focusing on one strategy or area at a time will help you to simplify your study process and focus on what needs the most work.
Creating a test prep study plan can be an excellent way to hold yourself accountable and make steady progress towards your goals. No matter how far out you are from your test date, it can still be helpful to create a practice plan and study schedule for you to stick to. Learn how to create a plan for practice, so that you can build a roadmap for studying and get tips on how to best prepare.
On the day before your retake, remember to prepare yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. Check out our 5 Tips for a Perfect Exam Day to make sure you have a successful testing experience. Remember to get a good night’s sleep the night before your test, eat a healthy breakfast to make sure you don’t lose steam, don’t cram in any last minute studying, and above all else, have a positive attitude!
And remember, schools don’t have to know how many times you’ve taken the test. You can take the test and send only your best scores. Achieve your ISEE score goals by getting started with your personalized ISEE prep plan today!
Originally published on October 12, 2018. Updated on January 15, 2025.
