ISEE by ERB
Accepted by over 1,200 independent schools around the world, the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is the most trusted admissions assessment tool available for students in Grades 2-12. And with the most testing options of any private school entrance exam, including online, paper-based, and at-home administrations, ISEE is also the most flexible assessment option for select families.
The ISEE isn’t like every other admissions test, because it not only measures what students know, it also measures how they think. This means that students have multiple opportunities to shine and show their application schools what they are capable of. And because the ISEE is secure and reliable, your student can test confidently knowing that they’re being assessed fairly in critical areas.
Registering online is the fastest and easiest way to secure a testing date. Creating an account online allows you to manage testing for multiple students including their profile information, accommodations, testing dates, and score reports.
Get the guide
Download the ISEE Quick Facts Guide for details on how to register, the types of questions students will encounter on the exam, and preparing for test day.
Most available testing options.
No matter where your family lives, you can get access to an ISEE test when and how works best for you, including in-person and remote testing.
Multiple testing opportunities.
We know that students don’t always get their desired score their first time out. That’s why we let students take the ISEE once per testing season for a total of three times per school year.
No penalties for incorrect answers.
When other tests penalize students for incorrect answers, they encourage students to skip questions rather than use their intuition, tap into contextual clues, and make educated guesses. By not penalizing students, the ISEE enables students to present their best self on test day, helping them secure admission to schools that are a good academic fit.
Dedicated support team.
The ISEE is backed by a dedicated support team. We’re here every day to ensure that test administrations run smoothly, and help families with registration and whatever ISEE questions you encounter. With ISEE from ERB, help is just a click or call away.
Already have an ISEE parent account online? Log in to register for a test, change a test, or access score reports.
Prepare for Success
Get ready for the ISEE with official practice from Test Innovators. The Test Innovators ISEE practice platform provides students with personalized guidance, so they know exactly what to focus on and how to best prepare.
- Get familiar with the test by taking authentic practice tests
(online and on paper) - Target areas for improvement with additional practice questions
- Learn key test-taking skills with strategy videos
Use the link below to learn more about why more than 500,000 students have prepared with Test Innovators.
Testing Seasons
Fall
Winter
Spring/Summer
Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov
Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar
Apr | May | Jun | Jul
Students may take the ISEE once per testing season—Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer—for a total of up to three times a school year. So if a student takes the exam in September during the Fall Testing Season, they’d need to wait at least until December, the Winter Testing Season, to take the ISEE again.
Testing Seasons
Students may take the ISEE once per testing season—Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer—for a total of up to three times a school year. So if a student takes the exam in September during the Fall Testing Season, they’d need to wait at least until December, the Winter Testing Season, to take the ISEE again.
Fall
Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov
Winter
Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar
Spring/Summer
Apr | May | Jun | Jul
Levels, Test Sections, and Timing
A student's testing level is determined by the grade to which the student is applying for admission—not a student's current grade. The ISEE has four levels. The test sections, number of questions, and test timing vary by level. The Upper Level is a high school entrance exam.
Primary Level 2 (applying to Grade 2)
| Auditory Comprehension | 6 questions | 7 minutes |
| Reading | 18 questions | 20 minutes |
| Break | - | 5-10 minutes |
| Mathematics | 24 questions | 26 minutes |
| Total Time | 53 minutes + 5- to 10-minute break | |
Primary Level 3 (applying to Grade 3)
| Reading | 24 questions | 28 minutes |
| Break | - | 5-10 minutes |
| Mathematics | 24 questions | 26 minutes |
| Total Time | 54 minutes + 5- to 10-minute break | |
Primary Level 4 (applying to Grade 4)
| Reading | 28 questions | 30 minutes |
| Break | - | 5-10 minutes |
| Mathematics | 28 questions | 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 60 minutes + 5- to 10-minute break | |
Lower Level (applying to Grades 5 or 6)
| Verbal Reasoning | 34 questions | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 38 questions | 35 minutes |
| Break | - | 5-10 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension | 25 questions | 25 minutes |
| Mathematics Achievement | 30 questions | 30 minutes |
| Break | - | 5-10 minutes |
| Essay | 1 prompt | 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 2 hours, 20 minutes + two 5- to 10-minute breaks | |
Middle and Upper Levels (applying to Grades 7 to 12)
| Verbal Reasoning | 40 questions | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 37 questions | 35 minutes |
| Break | - | 5-10 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension | 36 questions | 35 minutes |
| Mathematics Achievement | 47 questions | 40 minutes |
| Break | - | 5-10 minutes |
| Essay | 1 prompt | 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 2 hours, 40 minutes + two 5- to 10-minute breaks | |
Formats
The ISEE is available in both online and paper testing formats. Format availability varies by location. Both modalities have the same number of questions, the same timing, and the same opportunity for students to change their answers within a test section.
Online Test Format
For all levels, test questions are presented on a testing device and multiple-choice responses are marked on a testing device. The essay portion for the Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels is typed. Scratch paper and pencils are provided by the test site.
Paper Test Format
For Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels, test questions are presented in a test booklet and multiple-choice responses are bubbled on a separate answer document using a #2 or HB pencil. Blank space in the test booklet may be used as scratch paper. Students handwrite the essay in the space provided on the answer sheet, using a black or blue ballpoint pen. Erasable pens are permitted.
For Primary 2, 3, and 4, test questions are presented in a consumable test booklet and multiple-choice responses are marked in the test booklet using a #2 or HB pencil. Blank space in the test booklet may be used as scratch paper. There is no writing sample for the ISEE Primary levels.
Want more information about ISEE by ERB?
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