ISEE Tutoring
One-to-one tutoring will make this challenging test accessible and help your child earn top scores!
The Nurturing Wisdom Approach
The ISEE is a very challenging test! Most students taking this test will encounter unfamiliar vocabulary, math skills they've never seen before, and reading passages far beyond their reading level. This often leads to test anxiety, even for children who are strong students and test takers. We take the stress out of the ISEE by addressing more than just content. Our students go into test day prepared and confident!
We start with a consultation and diagnostic ISEE pre-test
Both help us understand your child and how they learn: their strengths and weaknesses, school experience, personality, interests, talents, and schedule. This is key information for making a strong tutor match. We also talk with you about other entrance tests your child may want to tutor for.
Our team develops a customized tutoring plan
The plan is based on your child’s starting point and goals. It includes a recommended number of sessions and dates for practice and real tests.
Your tutor tailors lessons to your child's needs
Your tutor adjusts instruction based on how your child does in session, on homework, and on practice tests. Lessons incorporate test-taking strategies and test-related academic skills, as well as timing practice and test anxiety reduction strategies as needed. If your child is approved for accommodations, we teach how to apply them.
Your director guides you through the entire process
We’re also responsive to your needs as a parent! Your tutoring director checks in regularly, answers any questions along the way, and shares reminders and test-related information.
Getting Started
To get started, you can either contact us to learn more or dive right in with a diagnostic pre-test.
Contact Us
When you contact Nurturing Wisdom, you'll connect with a tutoring director. If your child wants to prep for other entrance tests (like the CPS HSAT, HSPT, and/or SSAT) as well, it will be especially helpful to talk with a director before taking a pre-test.
Diagnostic Pre-Test
We offer several options for taking a practice ISEE pre-test. After the pre-test, we'll provide a score analysis and recommendations for the number of tutoring sessions.
All About the ISEE
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is used for admission to private and independent schools.
What's on the ISEE?
The paper and online versions of the ISEE have five sections:
- Verbal Reasoning: We teach word roots and targeted strategies for synonyms and sentence completion questions.
- Quantitative Reasoning: We teach strategies for solving word problems and tackling the intimidating quantitative comparison questions.
- Reading Comprehension: We focus on active reading and efficient question-answering strategies.
- Mathematics Achievement: We build computation skills and strengthen advanced algebra and geometry concepts.
- Essay: This required essay is not graded but is sent directly to schools. We will help students prep for it only if requested.
How long is the ISEE?
This is a 3-hour test with 160 questions and one essay.
- Verbal: 40 questions in 20 minutes
- Quantitative: 37 questions in 35 minutes
- Reading: 36 questions in 35 minutes
- Math: 47 questions in 40 minutes
- Essay: 1 prompt in 30 minutes
How does scoring work? Are there other factors in admissions decisions?
This test is taken by an elite group of students applying to selective schools. We usually see percentile scores that are 20-40% lower on the ISEE than on other standardized tests. Selective schools typically look for ISEE scores between the 4th and 7th stanines; highly selective schools often look for stanines of 7 or above.
Grades, previous standardized test scores, recommendations, and interviews are also used to determine admission. Our tutors can help students prepare for essays and interviews when requested.
Our students have been admitted to their top-choice schools, including Chicago Lab School, Latin School of Chicago, and Francis W. Parker School.
My child is allowed testing accommodations. Will they be able to use them on the ISEE?
You may request accommodations for the ISEE. Learn more about accommodations on the test-maker's website. Our expert tutors are also well-versed in adapting our tutoring strategies for students with accommodations.
When and where is the ISEE?
There are three ISEE testing seasons: fall, winter, and spring/summer. Students may take the test once per testing season, but most 8th graders take it in the fall and winter. You'll want to check the application deadlines of the school(s) your child will apply to in order to determine which test date(s) they should register for.
Students can take the ISEE at a school, a test center, an office, or at home. Again, check with the school(s) your child is interested in to see what they recommend.
How many levels of the ISEE are there? Which level should my child take?
There are three levels of this test, categorized by grade level. We offer tutoring for all three!
- Upper Level: The upper level test is taken by current 8th - 11th graders who are applying for admission to 9th-12th grades.
- Middle Level: The middle level test is taken by current 6th and 7th graders who are applying for admission to 7th or 8th grade.
- Lower Level: The lower level test is taken by current 4th and 5th graders, who are applying for admission to 5th or 6th grade.
