As you can see, 2017 was a year of student perseverance and pushing boundaries. 25,315 students from over 100 different countries answered over three million practice questions. Impressively, they spent 118,029 hours taking practice tests, studying vocabulary, watching instructional videos, and working through question banks. To prepare for the written component of the test, students crafted personal essays, with most commonly used words including “people”, “learn”, “world” and “help”.
For the first time, Test Innovators started to measure grit and provide students with a grit score. This metric indicates student tenacity in goal pursuit, an attribute that schools are increasingly looking for in their admissions evaluations.
Most importantly, the effort expended by students throughout their practice resulted in measurably improved SSAT and ISEE scores.
One of the most common mistakes on the SSAT is misreading a question, usually due to reading too quickly. Be sure to take a few extra seconds on every question to avoid careless errors.
Underline important information
Underline words and numbers indicating the quantities, relationships, and calculations (less than, twice, product, etc.)...
We are delighted to introduce Bella, one of our 2024 scholars. Through dedication and perseverance, Bella was able to increase her ISEE score by over 9%, scoring in the 99th percentile overall!
With only 25 minutes to write, managing your limited time effectively is incredibly important. Start by spending the first 2-5 minutes outlining your ideas to clarify and structure your thoughts. After you have a plan, go ahead and get writing! This is where you will spend the bulk of your...
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.
We are delighted to introduce Alisha, one of our 2022 scholars. Through hard work and perseverance, Alisha increased her SSAT score by 21 points, scoring in the 96th percentile overall!
In May 2025, Texas passed a new education bill launching school vouchers in 2026 through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Families may receive $10,000 per child to use toward private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapy, and more. With broad eligibility and limited spots, now is the time to explore school options,...
The Verbal Reasoning section of the ISEE consists of two types of questions: synonym questions and sentence completion questions. Both require a strong vocabulary, so the best way to prepare is to learn as many new words as possible.
The most effective way to expand your vocabulary is to establish a...
In our School of the Week series, we’ll be profiling some of the schools that use the ISEE as part of their admissions package. We hope to demonstrate the enormous diversity of competitive schools in the US, Canada, and abroad.
The Lower Level ISEE is taken by students applying to grades 5 and 6. Students can take the test on the computer or on paper. It consists of five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and the Essay.
