Are teacher recommendations, grades, or test scores more important for your overall application? In this clip from our CEO’s chat with placement expert Neal Kamsler, Neal talks about the different ways that schools might look at your ISEE & SSAT scores, and how those scores fit into the final decision.
For 21 years, Neal Kamsler was Head of Upper School at Allen-Stevenson School in New York City. He now serves as Senior Director of Placement at Oliver Scholars, a non-profit educational access organization. Listen to the full school admissions conversation here.
The Verbal Reasoning section of the ISEE is designed to assess vocabulary, including the ability to identify synonyms and complete sentences with missing parts.
Fast Facts
First and shortest section of the ISEE
Lower Level: 20 minutes with 34 questions
Middle and Upper Levels: 20 minutes with 40 questions
Made up...
In a study at Tufts University, 120 student participants learned a series of 30 words and images. They studied either by taking practice tests or by using the traditional study method of reading over the material to memorize it. They were then asked to recall what they had learned in...
The Primary Level ISEE has three levels: Primary Level 2 for students applying to 2nd grade, Primary Level 3 for students applying to 3rd grade, and Primary Level 4 for students applying to 4th grade. Keep reading for more information about each level and section, including sample questions from the...
The Middle Level SSAT is taken by students applying to grades 6-8. It consists of six sections: Writing Sample, Quantitative 1, Reading, Verbal, Quantitative 2, and Experimental. The Experimental Section is not scored; rather, it is used to test new questions for future SSAT forms.
It is important to make sure students stay academically engaged during the break. Preparing for the SSAT and ISEE over summer break is a great way to get a jump start on prep and stay academically engaged. Check out our top four tips for summer test prep.
2021 was another challenging year for all of us. As we reflect back on the year, however, we want to highlight some of the positive things we saw here at Test Innovators.
This year, some K-12 independent schools have made test scores an optional part of their applications. However, new at-home testing options for two of the most widely-used admissions exams, the ISEE and SSAT, have made testing feasible once again.
As part of the application process for independent schools, Jacqlene took the SSAT. In preparation for the SSAT, Jacqlene engaged in the Test Innovators A Better Chance summer preparation course and practiced independently on the Test Innovators online platform. The preparation course provided Jacqlene with structured preparation and the opportunity...
You can now take the ISEE at home, making it safe and easy to take this important admissions test. Although the structure and content of the ISEE at home test is the same, the experience of taking the test at home is different from taking the test in person. Understanding...
