5 Things Parents Should Know about Preparing for the ISEE and SSAT

If your child will be taking the ISEE or SSAT this year, you’re probably busy researching the best way to help them prepare. There is a lot of information out there and it can be very overwhelming, so we want to help by offering our top 5 tips for parents. These tips come from our team of ISEE and SSAT experts who have years of experience working closely with families as they prepare for these important tests.

1. Plan ahead.

We recommend that students plan to take the test more than once. That way, if the first test doesn’t go quite as planned, students have another opportunity to test. It’s best to schedule two test dates in advance, so that you secure your preferred testing dates and times. Scheduling two test dates will also help relieve some of the pressure your child may feel as they take the test for the first time. Just make sure you give your child enough time to prepare in between test dates.

For the ISEE, students can take the test up to 3 times a year, once per testing season. The testing seasons are Fall (August–November), Winter (December–March) and Spring/Summer (April–July). You can register on the ERB website.

For the SSAT, students can take the test up to 3 times on the computer and up to 8 times on paper each year between August and July. You can register on the EMA website.

2. Establish a consistent test prep routine.

The most effective way for your child to improve is to practice consistently over time. It is most beneficial to study several times a week for 30-60 minutes, rather than study for several hours over the weekend. Incorporating practice into your daily schedule will help your child improve retention, strengthen test-taking skills, and build confidence.

3. Don’t expect perfection.

The ISEE and SSAT are designed to challenge the brightest of students. Your child may not know everything on the test, and that’s okay. In fact, you should expect your child to encounter material they have not learned yet, especially if they are a younger student.

This is because the ISEE and SSAT are taken by students across multiple grade levels. For example, the Upper Level test is taken by students applying to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, so there are questions designed to challenge students in each of these grades. Questions geared toward 12th-grade applicants will likely be difficult for 9th-grade applicants. This is not a disadvantage for 9th graders, however, because their scores are only compared to other students applying to the same grade. That is, both the ISEE and the SSAT are normatively scored.

4. Encourage your child to de-stress before the test.

In the week leading up to the test, your child should avoid trying to learn new things. Instead, they should focus on reviewing what they have learned up to that point. Focusing on what they know will help them retain information, build confidence, and alleviate test anxiety.

It’s also important to help your child relax before the test. Allowing your child to do things that they enjoy, like reading a book or playing outside, will put them in a better headspace for test day.

The night before the test, make sure your child goes to bed early, so that they can get plenty of sleep. In the morning, make them a nutritious breakfast and remind them to drink plenty of water. Being well rested, fed, and hydrated will allow your child to stay focused during the test.

5. Be patient.

Test preparation is a process, and your child will need time to improve. While it can be difficult at times, make sure you are patient with their progress.

These are challenging tests, and your child is probably already feeling stressed, so you don’t want to add to that. You want to support them and cheer them on, so that they can put their best foot forward on test day!