Upper Level ISEE Tutoring — Grades 9–12 Admissions
The Upper Level ISEE is the most challenging level of the Independent School Entrance Examination. Dr. Donnelly's private, one-on-one tutoring gives your child the strategies and confidence to achieve top scores and gain admission to elite independent schools.
Who Takes the Upper Level ISEE?
The Upper Level ISEE is taken by students currently in grades 8 through 11 who are applying for admission to grades 9 through 12 at independent and private schools.
If your child is seeking admission to a competitive independent high school — whether a day school or boarding school — they will likely need to sit the Upper Level ISEE. This is the same exam regardless of whether your child is applying to grade 9, 10, 11, or 12, which means the test covers a wide range of content and can feel particularly demanding for younger students.
Top independent schools that commonly require the Upper Level ISEE include Phillips Academy Andover, Phillips Exeter Academy, Deerfield Academy, The Bishop's School, Francis Parker School, La Jolla Country Day School, Cate School, Thacher School, and many others across the country. Some schools also accept the SSAT, so it is worth confirming your target school's requirements before beginning preparation.
Upper Level ISEE Sections & Timing
The Upper Level ISEE consists of four scored multiple-choice sections and one unscored essay. Total testing time is approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.
| Section | Time | Questions | What It Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 20 minutes | 40 | Synonyms and sentence completion; tests vocabulary depth and contextual word understanding |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 35 minutes | 37 | Mathematical reasoning and problem solving; word problems, quantitative comparisons, and logical reasoning |
| Reading Comprehension | 35 minutes | 36 | Passages from humanities, science, and social studies; tests main idea, inference, tone, and vocabulary in context |
| Mathematics Achievement | 40 minutes | 47 | Grade-level math computation and concepts: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis, and probability |
| Essay (Unscored) | 30 minutes | 1 prompt | Written response to a prompt; sent directly to schools but not scored by ERB |
Important: There is no penalty for wrong answers on the ISEE. Students should answer every question, even if they need to make an educated guess. This is a key difference from the SSAT, which deducts a quarter-point for incorrect answers.
Section-by-Section Strategies
Dr. Donnelly teaches proven strategies for each Upper Level ISEE section, tailored to your child's specific strengths and areas for growth.
Verbal Reasoning
With only 20 minutes for 40 questions, pacing is critical. Dr. Donnelly focuses on:
- Root word analysis: Breaking down unfamiliar vocabulary using Latin and Greek roots, prefixes, and suffixes
- Elimination strategies: Narrowing answer choices systematically on synonym questions
- Context clues: Using sentence structure and logic to solve sentence completion questions
- Vocabulary building: Targeted word lists drawn from actual Upper Level ISEE content
Quantitative Reasoning
This section tests mathematical thinking, not just computation. Key strategies include:
- Quantitative comparisons: Learning to evaluate Column A vs. Column B efficiently without solving completely
- Word problem translation: Converting complex word problems into algebraic expressions
- Number sense: Using estimation and logic to eliminate wrong answers quickly
- Pattern recognition: Identifying sequences and relationships in data
Reading Comprehension
Upper Level passages are drawn from sophisticated texts. Dr. Donnelly teaches students to:
- Active reading: Annotating passages for main idea, tone, and structure during the first read
- Evidence-based answers: Always finding direct textual support before selecting an answer
- Inference questions: Distinguishing between what is stated and what is implied
- Time management: Allocating time per passage and knowing when to move on
Mathematics Achievement
This section tests computational skill across a wide range of math topics:
- Algebra fundamentals: Equations, inequalities, functions, and algebraic expressions
- Geometry: Area, perimeter, volume, coordinate geometry, and angle relationships
- Data and probability: Reading charts and graphs, mean/median/mode, and basic probability
- Strategic shortcuts: Recognizing when to back-solve or plug in answer choices
What Makes the Upper Level ISEE Challenging
The Upper Level ISEE is considered the most difficult of all ISEE levels for several reasons. First, the Verbal Reasoning section allows only 30 seconds per question on average — the tightest time constraint of any section on any ISEE level. Students must recognize advanced vocabulary instantly and apply context clues under pressure.
Second, the Mathematics Achievement section covers content through the 9th-grade level, including topics like algebraic functions, geometric proofs, and statistical analysis that many 8th graders have not yet encountered in school. This is why targeted tutoring is so valuable — Dr. Donnelly identifies exactly which math concepts your child needs to learn and teaches them in a structured, accessible way.
Third, the Reading Comprehension passages are drawn from college-level texts in science, history, and literature. Students need to read critically, identify the author's purpose and tone, and make nuanced inferences — skills that improve dramatically with guided practice.
Finally, the essay — while unscored by ERB — is sent directly to admissions offices. A strong essay demonstrates maturity, clear thinking, and writing ability. Dr. Donnelly works with each student on essay structure, thesis development, and time management to ensure they produce a polished response on test day.
Upper Level ISEE — Frequently Asked Questions
The Upper Level ISEE is the Independent School Entrance Examination designed for students applying to grades 9 through 12 at independent and private schools. It consists of four scored sections — Verbal Reasoning (20 min, 40 questions), Quantitative Reasoning (35 min, 37 questions), Reading Comprehension (35 min, 36 questions), and Mathematics Achievement (40 min, 47 questions) — plus a 30-minute unscored essay. Total testing time is approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.
The Upper Level ISEE is the most challenging of all ISEE levels. It tests content through the 9th-grade level, including algebra, geometry, and advanced vocabulary. The Verbal Reasoning section gives students only 30 seconds per question, and the Reading Comprehension passages are drawn from college-level texts. However, because scores are compared only to other Upper Level test-takers, strong preparation can produce excellent percentile results.
Most competitive independent schools expect stanine scores of 7 to 9 on the Upper Level ISEE, which corresponds to the 77th percentile and above. The most selective schools — such as Phillips Academy Andover, Exeter, and Deerfield — typically look for stanines of 8 or 9. However, admissions decisions consider the full application, including grades, recommendations, and the essay. Learn more about ISEE scoring.