ISEE Upper Level FAQ
- What is the Upper Level ISEE?
- Who creates the ISEE?
- When is the Upper Level ISEE given
- When should I register for the Upper Level ISEE?
- How do I register?
- How much does it cost to take the Upper Level ISEE?
- How long does it take to get my scores back?
- How many times can I take the Upper Level ISEE?
- What is a good score on the Upper Level ISEE?
- When should I start preparing for the Upper Level ISEE?
- Should I use an educational consultant?
What is the Upper Level ISEE?
The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) has three levels. The Upper Level exam is for students currently in grades 8-11 who are candidates for admission into grades 9-12.
Prestigious private secondary schools, boarding schools, and military academies use the test as a factor in admissions. The test is three hours long and consists of five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement and an Essay. The essay is not included in your test score, but a copy is sent to the schools you request to receive your scores. Schools may use the essay to help evaluate your application.
Schools generally have more openings available for grade 9 than for later grades. It may improve your chances of admission to apply early.
Who creates the ISEE?
The ISEE was developed for the Educational Records Bureau by the Educational Testing Service. It was constructed to specify to the guidelines provided by a national committee of independent school admissions directors and faculty.
When is the Upper Level ISEE given?
The ISEE is offered in over thirty cities across the country. For test dates in your area, visit http://docs.erbtest.org/pdfs/ISEE_Student_Guide_07_08.pdf.
When should I register for the Upper Level ISEE?
You may want to plan on registering 6-8 weeks prior to the test date to avoid late fees and ensure that you can take the ISEE at your nearest testing location. Regular registration ends three weeks before each test date. Late registration (phone or fax only) deadlines are two weeks before each test date.
Walk-in registration is available; however it is subject to space limitations. Walk-in registrations require a $30 fee in addition to the testing fee. You must call the test center to inquire about walk-in availability.
How do I register?
Register one of four ways:
- Mail: The paper registration form can be found in the center of the student guide between pages 26 and 27 inside the envelope. Contact iseeremote@erbtest.org to have a Student Guide mailed to you.
- Phone: Call 1-800-446-0320 (there is an additional $20 phone registration fee, payable by credit card only)
- Fax: Contact iseeremote@erbtest.org to have a Student Guide mailed to you, then get the fax registration form from the ISEE Student Guide and send it to 919-682-5775 (there is an additional $20 fax registration fee, payable by credit card only)
- Online: Go to www.iseetest.org
How much does it cost to take the Upper Level ISEE?
Registration Method Cost Mail $75 Online $80 Phone or Fax $100 Late Registration
(less than 3 weeks prior to test date)$95 How long does it take to get my scores back?
You will receive your scores within two weeks after your test date. Your Individual Student Report (ISR) and a copy of your essay are usually released to your chosen schools 7 - 10 days after your test date.
How many times can I take the Upper Level ISEE?
You may only take the ISEE once in a six-month period. Additionally, you may not take practice tests - you must make a formal application to a school for each administration of the test.
What is a good score on the Upper Level ISEE?
There is not a "passing" score for the ISEE. A good score is one that will get you into the secondary school you want to attend. It is important to know what the average admissible score is for the schools to which you are applying. Consider contacting the schools you are interested in for admissions statistics. Following are a few reference websites for private schools with contact information so you can find out the average score of students accepted.
When should I start preparing for the ISEE?
It is always best to start preparing as early as possible. This allows more preparation time to achieve score goals.
Should I use an educational consultant?
Educational consultants assist students and their families in the selection of educational programs, based on the student's individual needs and talents. The need for an educational consultant varies based on the student; we recommend starting with arranging a meeting with your counselor as a research base. They can give you some general information to help you begin your research. You can also approach the career services or counseling departments within the institutions that you are considering applying to. You may want to find out ahead of time if they charge and what the fee is before committing to a service.
