The ISEE is the gateway exam to NYC's elite private schools. Our experienced tutors focus on the test's key challenges - above-grade-level reading comprehension, advanced vocabulary, and quantitative reasoning. We know your child is competing against top performers, so we'll build their confidence and abilities through proven strategies and targeted practice.
We prep students one-on-one for the ISEEs, and students work directly from our ISEE binder and practice tests. Our expert instructors cover all the material on the test, its special types of questions and vocab, vocab, vocab!
All ISEE prep is supported with proctored practice exams.
Test date(s): Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer
Format(s): Online, paper
The ISEE - Independent School Entrance Exam assesses grade-level proficiency in:
Our approach develops both test mastery and deeper understanding through:
Over the years, ibidPREP has had tremendous success helping our students gain entry to the finest independent schools in NYC and beyond.
How does the ISEE differ by grade level?
Primary level: Entering grades 2-4
Total time: 1 hour
Lower level: Entering grades 5-6
Total time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Middle Level: Entering grades 7-8
Total time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Upper Level: Entering grades 9-12
Total time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
How often should my child take practice tests?
We recommend full-length practice tests every 2-3 weeks to start and then once a week right before the exam. Targeted practice between tests is also vital.
What are ISEE Test Seasons?
The ISEE is offered in three "testing seasons." Students can take the ISEE once per testing season for a maximum of three times per admission cycle (one academic year). Most students take the test once and not usually more than twice.
Testing seasons:
Our students generally take the exam in November in order to give themselves a second shot at the exam in December/January prior to submitting their applications.
Should I take the ISEE or the SSAT?
The school your student is applying to will specify the test to take. Generally, NYC schools require good performance on the ISEE, while schools outside the city look to the SSAT.
What else should I know about the ISEE?
The test is available in both paper and online formats:
Registration is typically required 3-6 weeks in advance, though some online testing may allow for shorter registration periods.
Most private/independent schools have application deadlines between January and February, making the Fall and Winter testing seasons popular choices for candidates.
Check the official ISEE website (erblearn.org) for the most current testing dates and registration deadlines, as they can change each year.
We had a great experience. My son took the group class for SHSAT and then supplemented with tutoring for both SHSAT and ISEE. The teachers and tutors were stellar. My son really connected with William and with Dante. He got into his first choices for both specialized high school as well as private schools. We couldn’t be happier!
Natalie Z., parent of student accepted at Stuyvesant, Trinity, and Horace Mann
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• Qualified instructor with solid academic background
• Fully trained in proven test prep strategies
• Expert guidance for score improvement
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We recommend 1-hour sessions for 4th-7th graders (except Hunter test), and 1.5-hour sessions for the Hunter, SHSAT, ACT, SAT, and beyond.
| Hours | Remote | In-Person |
|---|---|---|
| 3h | | |
| 6h | | |
| 9h | | |
| 12h | | |
with our founder, Stuart Servetar.
