Preparing for the ISEE Essay
The last section of the ISEE is the Essay. Students are given 30 minutes to write an essay in response to a prompt. The Essay section is not scored. Instead, a copy of the essay is sent to schools along with the ISEE score report. As you prepare for the essay section of the ISEE, make sure you know what to expect.
The ISEE writing sample provides valuable information to admissions staff, who use it to gain further insight into the character, personality, and writing ability of prospective students. One common practice is to compare application essays with the ISEE writing sample. This allows admissions staff to see how students express themselves when there are no external influences impacting their writing or ideas. Many students, parents, and guardians are unaware of the importance of the writing sample and tend to under-prepare for this critical section.
Writing a Persuasive, Winning Essay
The most important thing to remember as you write your essay is that this is your opportunity to let schools know who you are and what you care about. Use this opportunity to highlight your passions and personality. It’s a good idea to spend some time thinking of some people, events, or activities that you could incorporate into different essay prompts. Since you only have limited time on the actual test, doing this brainstorming beforehand will help you a great deal!
Three ISEE Essay Tips
- Use your time effectively. Take the first 2 to 5 minutes to create an outline that includes your main point, 2-3 supporting points, and any key details and examples you’ll incorporate into your essay.
- Next, spend 20 to 25 minutes writing. Your essay should have an introduction, 2-3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the body paragraphs, be sure to add supporting details and specific examples. Try to be as personal and descriptive as you can to make your writing come alive for readers.
- Finally, spend 2 to 5 minutes revising and editing. You don’t want grammatical or punctuation errors to detract from readers’ appreciation of your ideas! Check your spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.
