About the ISEE
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The ISEE not only measures what students know, it also measures how they think. This means that students have multiple opportunities to shine and show their application schools what they are capable of. And because the ISEE is secure and reliable, your student can test confidently knowing that they're being assessed fairly in critical areas.
Find a test date
Registering online is the fastest and easiest way to secure a testing date. Creating an account online allows you to manage testing for multiple students including their profile information, accommodations, testing dates, and score reports.
Get the guide
Download the ISEE Quick Facts Guide for details on how to register, the types of questions students will encounter on the exam, and preparing for test day.
Download guide
Multiple testing options.
Choose from paper-based or online administration, whichever best fits your student's testing style.
Learn about ISEE testing options →Multiple testing opportunities.
Students can register for the ISEE more than once within a testing season to submit their best score.
Learn about testing seasons →No penalties for incorrect answers.
Students are scored only on correct answers, so there's no advantage to leaving a question blank.
Dedicated support team.
Our Support team is ready to help families and schools with registration, accommodations, and score reports.
Contact ISEE Support →Prepare for success with Test Innovators
Get ready for the ISEE with the official practice from Test Innovators. The Test Innovators ISEE practice platform provides students with personalized guidance, so they know exactly what to focus on and how to best prepare.
Get familiar with the test by taking authentic practice tests, target areas for improvement, and learn key test-taking skills.
Testing Seasons
Students may take the ISEE once per testing season—Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer—for a total of up to three times a school year. So if a student takes the exam in September during the Fall Testing Season, they’d need to wait at least until December, the Winter Testing Season, to take the ISEE again.
Levels, Test Sections, and Timing
Middle Level applies to Grades 7–8; Upper Level applies to Grades 9–12 and is also used as a high school entrance exam. Both levels follow the same test structure.
A student's testing level is determined by the grade to which the student is applying for admission—not a student's current grade. The ISEE has four levels. The test sections, number of questions, and test timing vary by level. The Upper Level is a high school entrance exam.
Formats
The ISEE is available in both online and paper testing formats. Format availability varies by location. Both modalities have the same number of questions, the same timing, and the same opportunity for students to change their answers within a test section.
Online Test Format
For all levels, test questions are presented on a testing device and multiple-choice responses are marked on a testing device. The essay portion for the Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels is typed. Scratch paper and pencils are provided by the test site.
Learn about online ISEE testing →Paper Test Format
For Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels, test questions are presented in a test booklet and multiple-choice responses are bubbled on a separate answer document using a #2 or HB pencil. Students handwrite the essay using a black or blue ballpoint pen. For Primary 2, 3, and 4, test questions are presented in a consumable test booklet and multiple-choice responses are marked in the booklet; there is no writing sample for the Primary levels.
Learn about paper ISEE testing →