ISEE · Lower, Middle and Upper Level
ISEE practice test
that tells you what to fix
Realistic ISEE-style practice for grades 4 through 11 applicants. After every test, a review names the exact concept behind each wrong answer, and the AI Tutor teaches it. Start with three free questions.
- Who it is for
- Students applying to grades 5–12 at independent schools
- When it happens
- Most families test between August and January for the following fall. The ISEE can be taken once per season (fall, winter, spring/summer).
No account needed for the sample · Original questions · Not affiliated with any testing organization
Concept:
Written in advance. Nothing is saved.
On a real test, the review would put these on your child's focus list, in this order, and the AI Tutor would teach each one:
- Needs work
All three right. On a real test the review would move on to harder material and show which concepts are already mastered, so no time is wasted re-practicing them.
What is on the test
The ISEE at a glance
The facts a parent needs before choosing a prep plan. Details are as published by the test maker; always confirm dates and formats with the school your child is applying to.
- Levels
- Lower (applying to grades 5–6), Middle (grades 7–8), Upper (grades 9–12). A separate Primary Level exists for grades 2–4.
- Format
- Multiple choice, four answer choices, paper or computer. Timed by section.
- Length
- About 2 hours 40 minutes for Middle and Upper Level, about 2 hours 20 minutes for Lower Level, plus breaks.
- Scoring
- Each scored section reports a scaled score (760–940), a percentile and a stanine from 1 to 9. Schools mostly look at the stanines.
- Guessing
- No penalty for wrong answers, so every question should be answered.
- Essay
- A 30-minute essay is sent to schools unscored.
| Section | What it tests | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | Synonyms and sentence completions | 40 questions · 20 min |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Word problems and quantitative comparisons | 37 questions · 35 min |
| Reading Comprehension | Six passages with questions on main idea, inference, vocabulary and tone | 36 questions · 35 min |
| Mathematics Achievement | Grade-level arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data | 47 questions · 40 min |
| Essay | One prompt, unscored, sent to schools | 30 min |
Question counts shown are for the Middle and Upper Level. The Lower Level has fewer questions per section and the same section order.
On UnofficialPrep
ISEE - Prep
60 questions · 90 min full length, plus short and mini versions and adaptive mode.
How it works
Every wrong answer becomes a named concept, then a lesson
Most prep hands a student a score and a bigger pile of questions. This is the loop instead.
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Step 1
Practice test
Full-length, short or mini versions of the ISEE, timed by section, with an adaptive mode that finds the student's level fast.
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Step 2
Test Review
Each miss is tied to a specific concept. The review ranks the concepts by how much they are costing and says what to do first.
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Step 3
AI Tutor and Readiness Report
A short lesson on the concept, a fresh round of questions to prove it stuck, and a report you can read in a minute to see where your child stands.
Preparing for the ISEE
Three things that move the score
Learn quantitative comparisons early
Half of Quantitative Reasoning on the Middle and Upper Level is "compare column A to column B". Students who have never seen the format lose easy points on it.
Treat vocabulary as a daily habit
Verbal Reasoning is mostly vocabulary. Ten minutes a day for eight weeks beats a weekend of cramming.
Practice the pacing, not just the content
Mathematics Achievement gives under a minute per question. Timed section practice shows whether the problem is knowledge or speed.
Also on UnofficialPrep
Related practice tests
Questions parents ask
ISEE practice test FAQ
No. UnofficialPrep is not affiliated with the ERB, which makes the ISEE. Our questions are original and written in the style and difficulty of the test so that practice feels like the real thing.
The level depends on the grade your child is applying to, not the grade they are in now. Applying to grade 5 or 6 is Lower Level, grade 7 or 8 is Middle Level, and grade 9 or above is Upper Level.
A PDF gives you a score. Here every wrong answer is tied to a named concept, the review tells you which concepts to work on first, and the AI Tutor teaches each one with a short lesson and a fresh set of questions.
Eight to twelve weeks of short, regular sessions is enough for most students. Start with a diagnostic test so the time goes into the weak spots rather than the whole syllabus.
The sample test on this page is free and needs no account. Full practice tests and Test Reviews start at $10 a month, and plans with the AI Tutor start at $20 a month. Cancel anytime.
See exactly what your child needs to work on for the ISEE
Try the free sample test now, no account needed. Full practice tests and reviews from $10 a month, the AI Tutor from $20 a month. Cancel anytime.
UnofficialPrep is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any testing organization. Test names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here only to describe what our practice prepares students for.