ISEE Test Prep FAQ & Tutoring Questions

The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) is a standardized admissions test used by hundreds of independent and private schools across the United States and internationally. It assesses students in four scored sections — Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics Achievement — plus an unscored essay.

The ISEE is administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) and is one of the two most widely accepted private school entrance exams, along with the SSAT. Schools use ISEE scores alongside grades, interviews, and recommendations to make admissions decisions.

The ISEE has four levels based on the grade the student is seeking to enter:

• Primary Level — for entry into grades 2–4
• Lower Level — for entry into grades 5–6
• Middle Level — for entry into grades 7–8
• Upper Level — for entry into grades 9–12

Each level is designed with age-appropriate content and difficulty. Dr. Donnelly tutors all four ISEE levels with tailored strategies for each.

The ISEE uses scaled scores ranging from approximately 760 to 940 for each of the four sections. Students also receive stanine scores (1–9) that compare their performance to the norming group. A stanine of 5 is average, 7–9 is above average, and 9 is the highest.

There is no penalty for guessing on the ISEE, so students should answer every question. The essay is not scored numerically but is sent to the schools the student is applying to. Learn more about ISEE scoring.

Students can take each ISEE level once per testing season (typically August through July). This means your child gets one attempt per admissions cycle at each level, making thorough preparation essential.

Some families choose to have their child take a lower level in one season for practice before taking a higher level the following year. Dr. Donnelly can help you plan the best testing strategy for your child's timeline.

The ISEE and SSAT are both used for private school admissions but differ in important ways:

• The ISEE has four scored sections (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement) and an unscored essay.
• The SSAT has three scored sections (Verbal, Quantitative, and Reading) and an unscored writing sample.
• The SSAT penalizes wrong answers (a quarter-point deduction) while the ISEE has no penalty for guessing.
• The SSAT can be taken multiple times per season; the ISEE allows only one attempt per level per season.

Most private schools accept both tests, though some have a preference. Dr. Donnelly can advise which test best suits your child's strengths and target schools.

Tutoring begins with a free consultation where Dr. Donnelly assesses your child's current abilities, discusses target schools and timelines, and recommends a personalized study plan.

Sessions are one-on-one and typically 60 or 90 minutes. Each lesson combines content review, targeted strategy instruction, and practice with real ISEE questions. Dr. Donnelly provides homework between sessions and tracks progress through periodic practice tests to ensure your child is on pace to reach their score goals.

Most students benefit from 8 to 16 weeks of preparation, depending on their starting level and target score. Students who need significant improvement in multiple areas or who are aiming for highly competitive schools may benefit from starting 4–6 months in advance.

Dr. Donnelly creates a custom timeline during the free consultation based on your child's diagnostic results and application deadlines. Even students with shorter timelines can see meaningful improvement with focused, expert preparation.

Yes. Dr. Donnelly offers the same one-on-one ISEE and SSAT tutoring via Zoom for students anywhere in the United States. Online sessions use screen sharing, a shared digital whiteboard, and real-time document collaboration so they are just as interactive and effective as in-person sessions.

Sessions can also be recorded for later review. Many families combine in-person and online sessions for maximum flexibility.

Dr. Donnelly tutors students from 1st grade through 11th grade, covering all four ISEE levels (Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper) and all three SSAT levels (Elementary, Middle, and Upper).

Whether your child is a young student preparing for the Primary Level or a high schooler targeting a competitive boarding school, Dr. Donnelly adapts his teaching approach to be age-appropriate and engaging.

Tutoring rates vary depending on the package and frequency of sessions. Dr. Donnelly offers flexible options including individual sessions and multi-session packages at a discounted rate.

A free initial consultation is available to assess your child's needs and recommend the right plan. Contact us at (917) 568-2473 or dr.stuart.donnelly@gmail.com for current pricing information.

Dr. Stuart Donnelly holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford in Mathematical Science and has over 20 years of experience tutoring students for standardized tests including the ISEE, SSAT, SAT, ACT, and MCAT.

He has helped hundreds of students gain admission to top independent and private schools across the country. His deep expertise in math and verbal reasoning allows him to break down complex ISEE concepts in ways that students of all ages can understand. Learn more on the Your Tutor page.

Yes. Dr. Donnelly offers a complimentary phone or Zoom consultation for every new family. During the consultation, he will discuss your child's academic background, target schools, testing timeline, and any specific areas of concern.

He may also recommend a diagnostic practice test to establish a baseline score. There is no obligation to continue with paid tutoring after the consultation. Book your free consultation now.

Score improvement varies by student, but most students working with Dr. Donnelly see a 1–3 stanine improvement across sections with consistent preparation. Many students move from average (stanine 5–6) to above average or high (stanine 7–9).

Students who start with a longer preparation window and complete all assigned homework typically see the greatest gains. Dr. Donnelly tracks progress with periodic practice tests so families can see measurable improvement throughout the preparation process.

Dr. Donnelly's students have been accepted to a wide range of top independent and private schools including:

• Bishop's School
• Francis Parker School
• La Jolla Country Day School
• The Harker School
• Thacher School
• Cate School
• Phillips Academy Andover
• Phillips Exeter Academy
• Deerfield Academy

…and many more across California and nationwide. He is familiar with the admissions requirements and score expectations of these schools and tailors preparation accordingly. See what parents say on our Reviews page.

Yes. Although the ISEE essay is not scored numerically, it is sent directly to the schools your child is applying to and can influence admissions decisions.

Dr. Donnelly teaches students how to organize their ideas, write a clear thesis, develop supporting paragraphs, and manage their time during the essay section. Students practice writing timed essays and receive detailed feedback to improve their writing before test day.

Yes. Dr. Donnelly is an experienced SSAT tutor and offers the same personalized one-on-one preparation for all three SSAT levels — Elementary (grades 3–4), Middle (grades 5–7), and Upper (grades 8–11).

He covers all SSAT sections including Verbal, Quantitative, Reading, and the Writing Sample. Many families work with Dr. Donnelly on both exams to determine which one best suits their child's strengths.