ISEE for NYC and Bay Area Schools: Score Expectations and Prep Tips

In two of the most competitive independent school markets in the country — New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area — the ISEE is the dominant standardized admissions test. While many schools technically accept both the ISEE and SSAT, ISEE is the test of record at a wide range of schools in these markets, and families applying to NYC and Bay Area independent schools should plan their testing strategy accordingly.

Why the ISEE Dominates in NYC and the Bay Area

The ISEE is administered by ERB (Educational Records Bureau), which has a long-standing relationship with many independent schools on the East and West coasts. In NYC especially, ERB is deeply embedded in the independent school ecosystem — ERB also administers the ECAA (early childhood assessments) and other evaluations used by city schools. Many schools use ERB's full suite of assessments, and the ISEE is the natural extension of that relationship into upper-grade admissions.

In the Bay Area, the ISEE has gained dominance among many of the peninsula schools and some East Bay and Marin schools, though the market is somewhat more mixed than NYC. Always verify with each school which tests they accept and whether they have a preference.

NYC Independent Schools That Use the ISEE

The following are examples of NYC independent schools that have used or accepted ISEE scores in their admissions process. School testing policies change — always verify directly with each school's admissions office before registering for a test.

• The Dalton School
• Fieldston (Ethical Culture Fieldston School)
• Horace Mann School
• The Collegiate School
• The Spence School
• Trinity School
• The Chapin School
• Nightingale-Bamford School
• The Brearley School
• The Hewitt School

NYC is particularly competitive: the city's independent school applicant pool includes many students who have been preparing for standardized tests from an early age, and the schools above are among the most selective in the country. Stanines of 7–9 are typical among admitted students at these schools.

Bay Area Independent Schools That Use the ISEE

The following are examples of Bay Area independent schools that have used or accepted ISEE scores. As always, verify current testing requirements with each school directly.

• Menlo School (Atherton)
• Sacred Heart Schools (Atherton)
• Head-Royce School (Oakland)
• Crystal Springs Uplands School (Hillsborough)
• The Burke's School (San Francisco)
• The Urban School of San Francisco
• Harker School (San Jose)
• Castilleja School (Palo Alto)

Bay Area independent school admissions are highly competitive due to the density of high-achieving families in the region. The ISEE applicant pool in this market skews heavily toward stanines 7–9 at the more selective schools.

What These Schools Look For

Competitive independent schools in both markets look at the full score report, not just one section. A student who excels in verbal but struggles significantly in math (or vice versa) may raise questions about fit in a rigorous academic program. Schools generally look for:

• Stanines 7–9 across all scored sections at the most selective schools. Stanine 9 is genuinely rare and makes an applicant academically outstanding.
• Consistency across sections — large disparities between verbal and math stanines may prompt questions, though strong extenuating circumstances are understood (e.g., an ELL student whose verbal is lower).
• The essay — admissions officers read the essay as a first-hand writing sample. A polished, organized essay is a meaningful positive data point; a disorganized essay can undercut an otherwise strong application.

Many schools will not share their average or median stanine publicly. However, some admissions directors will share this informally in parent information sessions or during school visits — it is worth asking.

ISEE vs. SSAT at These Schools

Most NYC and Bay Area independent schools that accept standardized tests accept both the ISEE and SSAT. However, some have a preference or require one specifically:

• Schools with historical ERB relationships may prefer the ISEE, though they may not state this publicly.
• Some schools list the ISEE first on their admissions pages, which is often a signal of preference.
• A handful of schools require the ISEE only — no SSAT accepted.
• A small number accept either but strongly suggest one based on grade level being applied to.

The safest approach: check each school's admissions page, and if in doubt, email the admissions office directly and ask which test they prefer for the level your child is applying to.

Testing Timeline for NYC and Bay Area Applicants

Most NYC and Bay Area independent schools have admissions deadlines in early to mid-January. Working backward from that deadline:

Starting prep earlier (spring or summer of the year before applying) gives more time for genuine vocabulary growth, which is the component of the ISEE that responds most meaningfully to sustained study.

Score Reporting: How Schools Receive ISEE Scores

ISEE does not offer score choice. Every score from the current and prior testing year is sent to all schools that receive the report. Students may take the ISEE up to three times per year (once per season: fall, winter, spring/summer), and all scores are reported.

At registration, students can designate up to six schools to receive scores at no additional cost. Additional score reports beyond the initial six incur a per-report fee. Schools can be changed or added after the test through the ISEE family portal (fees may apply).

For NYC and Bay Area families applying to multiple schools — which is the norm — six free reports is usually enough. Plan your school list before registering so you can designate all target schools upfront.

Strategy for Competitive Admissions Markets

Families applying to the most selective NYC or Bay Area schools should approach ISEE prep with the same seriousness they bring to the rest of the application:

• Start early: 8–12 weeks of prep is the minimum for serious improvement. Three months gives meaningful time for vocabulary growth and math review.
• Take a diagnostic first: Before beginning structured prep, take a timed practice test under real conditions to establish a baseline. Identify which sections have the most room for improvement.
• Prioritize vocabulary: Verbal stanines are highly responsive to systematic vocabulary study. At the Lower and Middle levels especially, learning Greek and Latin roots pays dividends across both the synonym and sentence completion sections.
• Practice the essay: The essay is read by schools. Practice 4–6 timed essay prompts before the real test. Focus on organization, specificity, and completing a full response within the 30-minute window.
• Plan carefully around retest windows: The ISEE allows one test per season. Plan your first sitting for the fall so you have a winter retest option if scores are lower than expected.