ISEE Top Tips
ISEE Pacing – Correct pacing is one of the most important skills to master. While different questions may take more or less time to answer, you don’t want to spend more than a couple minutes on any one question (unless you’re done with all others). On the essay, it’s essential to learn how to outline and write out 4 to 5 paragraphs in 30 minutes; hence, practice is critical!
The ISEE Essay – The ISEE’s essay is not graded, but is sent to the schools to which you apply. Choose appropriate essay content, understanding that the school’s admissions department is your audience. What will they learn about you through your writing?
Guessing on the ISEE – There’s no guessing penalty on the ISEE; bubble-in a lettered answer for every question even if you don’t have time to read the question!
Levels of the ISEE – Each level of the ISEE is taken by multiple grades (for example, the Upper Level test is taken by 8th through 11th graders). It’s normal not to know everything on the test –though with preparation you can learn lots of new math concepts and vocabulary words before test day!
ISEE Strategies – Learn them! For example, read non-math questions and come up with an answer before reading the listed answer choices. Many wrong answers are tempting and may trick you; so first decide what you are looking for!
Prepare as you’ll test – Remember to take your practice exams in calm, non-distracting settings, get adequate sleep (especially the few nights before your test), and relax and breathe, both as your prepare and on test day.
