Studying for the ISEE (Upper Level)
Congratulations, you are taking a big step towards helping your child succeed on the ISEE. Enrolling them in our comprehensive program ensures they acquire the skills necessary to attain the scores for acceptance into the private school of your choice. This exam is structured to test what your child has learned as well as how they learn. The following private schools in Miami accept the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) as part of their admissions process:
- Gulliver Schools
- Westminster Christian School
- Ransom Everglades
- Palmer Trinity
- Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart
- Belen Jesuit School
- Miami Country Day
About The Test
When preparing for a standardized test, it is important to understand the exam's format. The ISEE is approximately 3 hours long and contains 160 multiple-choice questions and one essay question divided into the following five subtests:
Verbal Reasoning (40 questions / 20 min)
The questions in this section tests your ability to identify and use synonyms and your ability to identify words in context. You will be asked to "choose the best definition" and "complete the sentence". Here’s a look at the specific topics that will be covered:
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Analogy
- Verbal Classification
- Verbal Logic
Quantitative Reasoning (37 questions / 35 min)
The questions in this section tests your ability to detect numerical patterns or to use various math skills to answer problems. Here’s a look at the specific topics that will be covered:
- Integers
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Percentages
- Algebra
- Geometry
Reading Comprehension (36 questions / 35 min)
The questions in this section tests your ability to read prose passages quickly and for detail. Here’s a look at the specific topics that will be covered:
- Main Idea Questions
- Word-In-Context Questions
- Supporting Idea Questions
- Inference Questions
- Organization and Logic Questions
- Tone Questions
Mathematics Achievement (47 questions / 40 min)
The questions in this section test your ability to compute answers to math equations involving mixed numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, and integers. Here’s a look at the specific topics that will be covered:
- Polygons
- Pythagorean Theorem
- Circles
- Volumes
- Measurements
- Graphs and Tables
- Word Problems
- Statistics
Essay (1 prompt / 30 min)
The prompt in this section asks you to write an essay that focuses on a problematic (controversial) topic. You will compose an opinionated essay complete with supporting detail. Your essay will not be evaluated, but your unread essay along with your test scores will be sent to the school(s) of your choice to aid with admission and course placement. Here’s a look at the specific topics that will be covered:
- Grammar
- Word Usage
- Sentence Variation
- Prewriting
- Planning