ISEE Mathematics Achievement
The Mathematics Achievement section of the ISEE tests students’ knowledge of the math they’ve learned at school.
Fast Facts
- Fourth and longest section of the ISEE
- Lower Level: 30 minutes with 30 questions
- Middle and Upper Levels: 40 minutes with 47 questions
- One of two math sections
The first math section is the Quantitative Reasoning section.
Question Types
Students are presented with questions that focus on specific math content and skills that are taught in school. The subjects covered on the Mathematics Achievement section, however, are the same as the Quantitative Reasoning section. These include:
- Numbers and Operations
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Measurements
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Problem Solving
There are a wide variety of problems in the Mathematics Achievement section, so we’ve included one example problem for each of the three levels below. The correct answers are bold.
- Lower Level example
What is the area of a rectangle with a length of 15 centimeters and a width of 25 centimeters? (A = lw)
A. 40 centimeters²
B. 355 centimeters²
C. 365 centimeters²
D. 375 centimeters²
- Middle Level example
116.8 ÷ 4 = ?
A. 26.2
B. 27.2
C. 28.2
D. 29.2
- Upper Level example
Which inequality describes all values of 𝑥 for which |2𝑥 – 5| < 3?
A. 𝑥 > 1
B. 𝑥 > 4
C. 1 < 𝑥 < 4
D. -1 < 𝑥 < 4
Test-Taking Strategies
Read carefully. Ensure you fully understand what the question is asking. A common mistake on the ISEE is misreading the question, so take your time, read thoroughly, and highlight key details in the problem.
Use the process of elimination. For many problems, starting with the answer choices can be helpful. If you’re dealing with an unknown value, try substituting the options to see which one works. Begin with the middle choice to reduce the number of potential substitutions.
Estimate first. Before diving into solving, try to predict a general range for the answer. Are you expecting a positive or negative result? Should the answer be larger or smaller than the numbers in the problem? Will it be a fraction, decimal, or whole number?
Interested in learning about the other sections of the ISEE? Check out our section-specific blog posts!
Originally published on July 23rd, 2014. Updated on September 5th, 2024.
