What is the ISEE Upper Level Exam?

The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) Upper Level is a standardized test designed for students currently in grades 8 through 11 who are applying for admission into grades 9 through 12 at independent or private schools. The exam assesses a student's abilities in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and mathematics achievement, providing schools with a comprehensive view of the applicant's academic skills.

ISEE Upper Level Exam Structure

The ISEE Upper Level is available in both online and paper-based formats. The exam consists of the following sections:

1. Verbal Reasoning: Assesses vocabulary and reasoning skills.
2. Quantitative Reasoning: Evaluates mathematical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
3. Reading Comprehension: Measures the ability to understand and interpret written passages.
4. Mathematics Achievement: Tests knowledge of mathematical concepts and skills.
5. Essay: Provides a sample of the student's writing ability.

The total testing time is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, plus two 5- to 10-minute breaks. The breakdown of each section is as follows:

Verbal Reasoning: This section includes 40 questions to be answered in 20 minutes. It consists of two types of questions: synonyms and sentence completions. These questions assess the student's vocabulary and reasoning abilities.

Quantitative Reasoning: Comprising 37 questions to be answered in 35 minutes, this section evaluates the student's mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills through various word problems and quantitative comparisons. Calculators are not permitted.

Reading Comprehension: This section contains 36 questions to be answered in 35 minutes. It includes six reading passages, each followed by questions that assess the student's ability to understand and interpret the material.

Mathematics Achievement: Consisting of 47 questions to be answered in 40 minutes, this section tests the student's knowledge of mathematical concepts and skills.

Essay: In this 30-minute section, students are provided with a prompt and asked to write an essay. While the essay is not scored, it is sent to the schools to which the student is applying to provide a sample of their writing ability.

ISEE Upper Level Scoring

The ISEE Upper Level exam is scored using a scaled scoring system. Each section's raw score (the number of questions answered correctly) is converted to a scaled score ranging from 760 to 940. The score report includes:

• Scaled Scores: Reflects performance on each section.
• Percentile Rank: Compares the student's performance to that of peers in the same grade.
• Stanine Score: A normalized score ranging from 1 to 9, with 5 being average.

A good stanine score for the ISEE Upper Level is typically between 7 and 9, while the average ranges between 4 and 6.

ISEE Upper Level Registration

The ISEE Upper Level is offered throughout the year, and students can take the exam in one of three testing seasons: Fall (August–November), Winter (December–March), and Spring/Summer (April–July). Students may take the ISEE once per testing season, up to three times in a calendar year.

To register for the exam, visit the official ISEE Registration Page. Registration fees vary depending on the testing method and location.

Preparing for the ISEE Upper Level Exam

Effective preparation is crucial for success on the ISEE Upper Level. Here are some strategies to help your child prepare:

• Familiarize with the Test Format: Understanding the structure and types of questions can reduce test anxiety and improve performance.
• Practice Regularly: Utilize official ISEE practice materials and other reputable resources to build confidence and identify areas needing improvement.
• Develop Test-Taking Strategies: Teach time management skills and the importance of reading instructions carefully.

For additional study resources and practice questions, explore our ISEE Upper Level question bank.

Prepare for the ISEE Upper Level Exam with Practice Questions

Achieving a high score on the ISEE Upper Level exam requires effective preparation and familiarity with the exam format. Start practicing today with our comprehensive ISEE Upper Level question bank.