By The OpenKidsPrep Editorial Team
If your child is applying to an independent school, you've probably encountered the ISEE and had a dozen questions immediately follow. Here are the 10 questions that parents ask most often, answered as directly as possible. For deeper dives on specific topics, the links throughout will take you to full articles.
What is the ISEE and who makes it?
The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is a standardized admissions test for students applying to independent (private) schools in the United States and internationally. It is published and administered by ERB (Educational Records Bureau), a nonprofit organization that has served independent schools since 1953. ERB also administers early childhood assessments and other academic evaluations used by many independent schools, and the ISEE is its flagship upper-grade admissions tool. Registration, score reporting, and test center information are all managed through the ERB website.
Which ISEE level should my child take?
The level is determined by the grade your child is applying to enter, not the grade they are currently in. Here is the breakdown:
- Primary Level 2: Applying to grade 2 (currently in grade 1)
- Primary Level 3: Applying to grade 3 (currently in grade 2)
- Primary Level 4: Applying to grade 4 (currently in grade 3)
- Lower Level: Applying to grades 5 or 6 (currently in grades 4–5)
- Middle Level: Applying to grades 7 or 8 (currently in grades 6–7)
- Upper Level: Applying to grades 9–12 (currently in grades 8–11)
Each school specifies which level they require on their admissions page. When in doubt, contact the admissions office directly — they will tell you exactly which level to register for. See our ISEE prep by level guide for more detail on each level.
How long does the ISEE take?
Total testing time (excluding breaks and administrative time) varies by level:
- Primary Level: Approximately 1 hour (tablet-based, shorter format for young students)
- Lower Level: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes of testing + two breaks
- Middle Level: Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes of testing + two breaks
- Upper Level: Approximately 2 hours 55 minutes of testing + two breaks
For Lower, Middle, and Upper levels, plan for a half-day commitment including arrival, check-in, testing, and breaks. The essay adds 30 minutes to the timed testing block. Building stamina through full-length timed practice tests before the real exam is important — the test is long for children who are not accustomed to sustained focused work.
Is there a guessing penalty on the ISEE?
No — the ISEE has no guessing penalty. Each correct answer scores +1 point. Wrong answers and blank answers both score 0. This means your child should attempt every question on the ISEE, even if they are completely unsure. A random guess among four answer choices gives a 25% chance of scoring a point, with no downside risk. Never leave an ISEE question blank. This is one of the most important tactical differences between the ISEE and the SSAT, which does penalize wrong answers. See our ISEE vs. SSAT comparison for more on this distinction.
How many times can my child take the ISEE per year?
Students may take the ISEE up to three times per year — once per testing season. The three seasons are fall (September–November), winter (December–March), and spring/summer (April–August). There must be at least one full season between sittings, so a student who tests in the fall season cannot retest until the winter season. Most families testing for fall admissions deadlines test in the fall season and, if they wish to improve their scores, again in the winter season. The spring/summer season is most commonly used by students who missed the fall/winter window or who are retesting for the following year's admissions cycle.
Will all my child's scores be reported to schools?
Yes. The ISEE does not offer score choice. Schools receive all ISEE scores from the current testing year and the prior testing year. If your child has taken the ISEE twice, both scores are visible to every school that receives the score report. This is different from how the SAT works, where students can select which scores to send. Most independent school admissions officers report that they focus on the highest scores across sittings — and that score improvement is generally viewed positively as evidence of growth. However, the full testing record is available to them. Plan testing strategically: a student who is likely to improve significantly should prepare thoroughly before their first sitting rather than testing early as a "diagnostic."
What is a competitive ISEE score?
The ISEE uses stanines (1–9) as its primary score band. Stanines are assigned relative to students who have taken the same level of the ISEE in the prior three years. Here's the general picture:
- Stanine 9: Top 4% of test-takers. Highly competitive at any school.
- Stanines 7–8: Top 23% of test-takers. Competitive at most selective independent schools.
- Stanine 6: Top 40% of test-takers. Average among ISEE test-takers (above average vs. general population). Competitive at many schools, but below typical ranges at the most selective.
- Stanines 4–5: Average among ISEE test-takers. Competitive at less selective independent schools.
Because schools don't publish their average admitted stanine, the best source is the admissions office. Asking directly what a competitive academic profile looks like is always worthwhile. For more detail, see our complete ISEE score guide.
How early should we start preparing?
Six to twelve weeks of focused preparation is the standard effective window, depending on the ISEE level and how much improvement is needed. Vocabulary growth — the area most responsive to targeted study — takes time to consolidate, so starting earlier is always better than cramming. Practical guidelines:
- Lower Level: Begin 6–8 weeks before the test. Vocabulary and arithmetic are the priority areas.
- Middle Level: Begin 8–10 weeks before. Vocabulary plus pre-algebra review.
- Upper Level: Begin 3+ months before. Broader math review (algebra, geometry), advanced vocabulary, and reading comprehension at a high level.
Families applying to highly competitive schools — especially in NYC, the Bay Area, or for selective boarding schools — should aim to begin prep no later than the summer before the application year to allow genuine vocabulary growth and multiple rounds of practice testing. See our full ISEE study guide for level-specific prep resources.
How is the ISEE different from the SSAT?
Both tests are used for independent school admissions and cover verbal skills, math, and reading comprehension. The most important differences:
- Guessing penalty: ISEE = none (always guess). SSAT = −¼ point for wrong answers (only guess when you can eliminate choices).
- Verbal section: ISEE tests synonyms + sentence completions. SSAT tests synonyms + analogies. Analogies are a distinct skill that requires specific practice.
- Score reporting: ISEE reports stanines (1–9). SSAT reports percentiles (1–99).
- Test frequency: ISEE allows 3 tests per year (one per season). SSAT allows up to 8 per year with more flexible scheduling.
- School preferences: NYC schools tend to lean ISEE; some boarding schools have historically leaned SSAT. Most schools accept both.
We recommend taking a timed practice test for both and comparing results before committing to one. See our full ISEE vs. SSAT guide for a complete breakdown.
My child has a learning difference — are testing accommodations available?
Yes. ERB provides testing accommodations for students with documented learning differences, disabilities, or other qualifying conditions. Accommodations that may be available include:
- Extended time (time and a half, or double time)
- Separate testing room with reduced distractions
- Frequent breaks
- Large-print test booklets
- Computer-based testing in some cases
- Other modifications based on documented need
Families must apply for accommodations in advance of testing — they cannot be requested on test day. Documentation from a licensed psychologist, educational specialist, or physician is required, and ERB reviews each application individually. Accommodation approval from ERB does not automatically mean the schools will recognize the accommodation in their review; check with each school about their policies. Contact ERB directly at iseetest.org for current requirements, deadlines, and the application process, as these details can change year to year.
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