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If an independent school asks for the Independent School Entrance Exam, you are usually trying to confirm which level applies, how the sections work, and how schools read the score report. The ISEE is ERB’s admissions assessment for applicants to Grades 2 through 12. ERB sets the level by the grade the student is applying to enter, not by the student’s current grade.
Key takeaway: choose the ISEE level from the application grade first. Stanines and percentiles compare a student with other ISEE applicants, not with a percentage of questions answered correctly, and schools still weigh the full file.
Educational notice: The 45 questions below are original practice items. They are not ERB questions, do not reproduce live ISEE forms, and cannot predict a score or an admission decision.
Start with ERB’s ISEE overview for families for current registration, formats, and level timing. Official familiarization materials such as ERB’s What to Expect on the ISEE guides are the clearest place to learn the live interface and question styles before you add any third-party pack.
Levels, sections, and timing
ERB publishes four main level groups. Primary Levels 2, 3, and 4 are for students applying to Grades 2, 3, and 4. The Lower Level is for applicants to Grades 5 or 6, the Middle Level for Grades 7 or 8, and the Upper Level for Grades 9 through 12. Question counts and timing change by level, so do not assume a Lower Level schedule matches Middle or Upper.
| Level | Application grades | Scored focus | Essay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary 2, 3, 4 | Grades 2, 3, or 4 | Reading and mathematics (Primary 2 also includes auditory comprehension) | No writing sample |
| Lower | Grades 5-6 | Verbal, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading, Mathematics Achievement | 30-minute essay |
| Middle | Grades 7-8 | Same four multiple-choice sections as Upper, with level-appropriate content | 30-minute essay |
| Upper | Grades 9-12 | Verbal, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading, Mathematics Achievement | 30-minute essay |
For Lower Level, ERB currently lists about 2 hours 20 minutes of testing plus two short breaks. Middle and Upper Levels currently list about 2 hours 40 minutes plus two short breaks. Primary timings are shorter and level-specific. Confirm the live table on ERB’s overview before you build a study plan around any secondary summary.
Testing formats and retesting
ERB currently offers paper and online administrations, including testing at member schools, Prometric centers, and at-home sessions where those options appear in registration. Format and seat availability vary by level, location, and date, so treat the live ERB registration tools as the authority rather than a fixed list of sites.
Retesting is limited. ERB allows the ISEE once per testing season (Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer), up to three times in a school year. Plan preferred dates against school score deadlines instead of assuming unlimited attempts.
What the main sections measure
On Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels, Verbal Reasoning uses synonyms and sentence completions. Quantitative Reasoning asks students to reason with math ideas, often with limited calculation. Reading Comprehension checks main ideas, details, vocabulary in context, and author craft. Mathematics Achievement draws more directly on learned skills and can require calculation. ERB’s score-report guide is the controlling explanation of those distinctions.
The essay asks for a response to a prompt. ERB states that the essay is not scored. Schools you designate as score recipients receive a copy, and families do not receive the essay text. Treat the writing time as real admissions evidence even though it does not produce a numerical section score.
ISEE administrations may include unscored questions used for future forms. Students cannot identify them during the test, so answer every item carefully. ERB also notes that incorrect answers are not penalized with a guessing deduction.
Scores, stanines, and school decisions
ISEE multiple-choice performance is typically reported with scaled scores, percentile ranks, and stanines based on a norm group of ISEE applicants from recent testing years, compiled by application grade. A percentile compares a result with that selective norm group. It is not the percentage of questions answered correctly. A stanine places results into one of nine bands, with 5 near the middle of the distribution.
There is no universal ISEE passing score. Schools decide how, or whether, to use the profile alongside grades, recommendations, interviews, and other application materials. Because the norm group is competitive, a percentile that looks lower than a classroom test score can still be expected. Ask each school how it reads ISEE results and what score-report deadline it uses.
ISEE versus SSAT
The ISEE and the SSAT are separate private-school admissions tests. They differ in publisher, level naming, section design, guessing rules, and testing options. A school may require one, accept either, or require neither. Confirm the named test and level on each application page rather than choosing from a generic “which is easier” claim.
How to prepare
Confirm the school-required test and the correct ERB level first. Use official familiarization materials to learn the format, then diagnose skills with short untimed sets. Separate vocabulary misses from passage-evidence misses, and separate reasoning misses from calculation misses. Add timed sections only after the formats feel familiar. For the essay, practice a clear opening, specific support, and a readable close under the official time limit.
Optional third-party practice
When official ERB materials and school instructions are already in place, additional timed drills can still help close skill gaps. One independent option is ISEE practice materials from TestPrep-Online.
TestPrep-Online is not ERB, an independent school, or an admissions authority. Its materials are not official ISEE questions and cannot guarantee a score, placement, or admission decision. Check current level coverage, price, and access terms before buying.
Original ISEE practice questions
Verbal Reasoning
1. Which word is closest in meaning to “brief”?
A. lengthy B. concise C. noisy D. distant
Correct answer: B Explanation: “Concise” means expressed in few words, which is close to “brief.”
2. Which word is the best antonym for “scarce”?
A. plentiful B. careful C. narrow D. fragile
Correct answer: A Explanation: Something scarce is in short supply. Something plentiful is abundant.
3. “The guide’s directions were so ___ that the hikers reached the lake without confusion.”
A. obscure B. precise C. accidental D. silent
Correct answer: B Explanation: Clear, exact directions are “precise.”
4. Author is to novel as composer is to:
A. symphony B. piano C. audience D. conductor
Correct answer: A Explanation: An author creates a novel. A composer creates a symphony. The relationship is creator to completed artistic work.
5. Which word best completes the sentence? “Although the proposal was unusual, the committee found it ___ after reviewing the evidence.”
A. persuasive B. temporary C. invisible D. careless
Correct answer: A Explanation: Evidence can make a proposal convincing, or persuasive.
6. “Reluctant” most nearly means:
A. eager B. hesitant C. noisy D. fortunate
Correct answer: B Explanation: A reluctant person is unwilling or hesitant.
7. Painter is to canvas as writer is to:
A. audience B. paper C. editor D. library
Correct answer: B Explanation: A painter works on a canvas, and a writer works on paper.
8. Which word is closest in meaning to “observe”?
A. notice B. repair C. borrow D. predict
Correct answer: A Explanation: To observe is to watch or notice carefully.
9. “The old bridge was ___ after engineers found cracks in its supports.”
A. decorated B. closed C. expanded D. praised
Correct answer: B Explanation: Finding structural cracks would reasonably lead to closing the bridge.
10. Which word is the best antonym for “generous”?
A. patient B. selfish C. curious D. cheerful
Correct answer: B Explanation: Generous means willing to give; selfish expresses the opposite idea.
11. Seed is to plant as egg is to:
A. shell B. nest C. chick D. feather
Correct answer: C Explanation: A seed can develop into a plant, and an egg can develop into a chick.
12. “The historian used a ___ source, written during the event itself, rather than a later summary.”
A. primary B. fictional C. hidden D. narrow
Correct answer: A Explanation: A source created at the time of an event is a primary source.
Quantitative Reasoning
13. A club has 18 members. One-third are sixth graders. How many sixth graders are in the club?
A. 3 B. 6 C. 9 D. 12
Correct answer: B Explanation: One-third of 18 is 18 divided by 3, or 6.
14. Which of these amounts is largest?
A. 2/5 B. 0.42 C. 45% D. 0.39
Correct answer: C Explanation: Convert to decimals: 2/5 = 0.40, 0.42 = 0.42, 45% = 0.45, and 0.39 = 0.39. Therefore 45% is largest.
15. A rectangle has a perimeter of 30 units. If its length is 9 units, what is its width?
A. 3 B. 6 C. 9 D. 12
Correct answer: B Explanation: Twice the length plus twice the width is 30. Thus 18 + 2w = 30, so w = 6.
16. A jar holds red, blue, and green beads in the ratio 2:3:5. If there are 20 beads total, how many are green?
A. 4 B. 6 C. 8 D. 10
Correct answer: D Explanation: The ratio has 10 total parts. Green is 5 of 10 parts, or half of 20.
17. A train leaves at 2:45 p.m. and arrives at 4:20 p.m. How long is the trip?
A. 1 hour 25 minutes B. 1 hour 35 minutes C. 1 hour 45 minutes D. 2 hours 35 minutes
Correct answer: B Explanation: From 2:45 to 3:45 is one hour, and 35 more minutes reaches 4:20.
18. The mean of 8, 11, 14, and x is 12. What is x?
A. 12 B. 14 C. 15 D. 16
Correct answer: C Explanation: Four numbers with mean 12 total 48. The known values total 33, so x is 15.
19. A recipe uses 2 cups of rice for 5 servings. How many cups are needed for 15 servings at the same rate?
A. 4 B. 5 C. 6 D. 8
Correct answer: C Explanation: Fifteen is three times five, so multiply 2 cups by 3.
20. A square has an area of 49 square inches. What is its perimeter?
A. 14 inches B. 21 inches C. 28 inches D. 49 inches
Correct answer: C Explanation: A side is 7 inches because 7 times 7 is 49. The perimeter is 4 times 7.
21. Which number makes the equation true? 5n - 4 = 21.
A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6
Correct answer: C Explanation: Add 4 to get 5n = 25, then divide by 5.
22. A store reduces a $40 game by 25%. What is the sale price?
A. $10 B. $15 C. $30 D. $35
Correct answer: C Explanation: Twenty-five percent of $40 is $10. Subtract $10 from $40.
23. What is the probability of rolling an even number on a fair six-sided number cube?
A. 1/6 B. 1/3 C. 1/2 D. 2/3
Correct answer: C Explanation: The even outcomes are 2, 4, and 6, or 3 of 6 equally likely outcomes.
Reading Comprehension
Read the passage for Questions 24-28.
In the school courtyard, a rain garden replaced a patch of compacted grass. The garden’s deep-rooted plants slow rainwater and help it soak into the ground. During a heavy storm, this process can reduce the amount of water flowing quickly into nearby drains. Students also use the garden to observe insects and seasonal changes.
24. What is the main purpose of the passage?
A. To describe how a rain garden serves practical and educational purposes B. To argue that all grass should be removed from school grounds C. To explain why storms cannot affect drains D. To compare two types of insects
Correct answer: A Explanation: The passage explains both water management and classroom observation.
25. According to the passage, deep-rooted plants help by:
A. making storms shorter B. slowing rainwater so it can soak into the ground C. keeping insects away from the courtyard D. replacing all nearby drains
Correct answer: B Explanation: This is stated directly in the second sentence.
26. Which word best describes the passage’s tone?
A. informative B. mocking C. alarmed D. mysterious
Correct answer: A Explanation: The passage gives factual information without strong emotion.
27. The word “compacted” most nearly means:
A. loosely scattered B. pressed tightly together C. brightly colored D. carefully measured
Correct answer: B Explanation: Soil or grass area described as compacted has been pressed densely together.
28. According to the rain-garden passage, which claim is best supported?
A. Rain gardens eliminate all flooding. B. Students cannot enter the courtyard during storms. C. The garden may help reduce fast runoff to drains. D. Insects are harmful to the garden.
Correct answer: C Explanation: The passage uses careful language that the garden can reduce quickly flowing water.
Read the passage for Questions 29-34.
When the town museum received a collection of letters from a local musician, staff members did not display every page at once. Instead, they selected a few letters and paired them with photographs, concert programs, and short explanations. Visitors could then see how a personal letter connected to a larger history of performances in the town.
29. Why did the museum pair letters with other materials?
A. To make the letters harder to read B. To show their connection to local performance history C. To avoid identifying the musician D. To reduce the number of visitors
Correct answer: B Explanation: The last sentence gives this reason.
30. The passage is mainly organized as:
A. a problem followed by a solution B. a sequence of instructions C. a description of a curatorial choice and its result D. a comparison of two musicians
Correct answer: C Explanation: It describes what staff chose to display and what visitors could understand as a result.
31. In this passage, “collection” refers to:
A. a group of letters B. a ticket price C. a museum building D. a concert schedule
Correct answer: A Explanation: The collection received by the museum consists of letters.
32. Based on the museum-letters passage, which inference is most reasonable?
A. The letters provided some information about the musician’s life. B. The musician never performed locally. C. The museum had no photographs. D. Visitors were not allowed to read explanations.
Correct answer: A Explanation: The letters could be connected to performances and other historical materials.
33. Which detail best supports the idea that the exhibit gave context?
A. Staff members selected a few letters. B. The letters were paired with photographs, programs, and explanations. C. The musician was local. D. The museum received the letters.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Supporting materials provide the context for interpreting the letters.
34. The author’s purpose is primarily to:
A. entertain with a fictional mystery B. explain a museum’s approach to presenting historical materials C. criticize concert programs D. persuade readers to donate letters
Correct answer: B Explanation: The passage explains how the exhibit was assembled and why.
Mathematics Achievement
35. What is 3/4 + 1/8?
A. 4/12 B. 5/8 C. 7/8 D. 1
Correct answer: C Explanation: Convert 3/4 to 6/8, then add 1/8.
36. Solve for x: 3x + 5 = 23.
A. 5 B. 6 C. 7 D. 9
Correct answer: B Explanation: Subtract 5, then divide 18 by 3.
37. A triangle has a base of 10 cm and a height of 6 cm. What is its area?
A. 16 square cm B. 30 square cm C. 60 square cm D. 120 square cm
Correct answer: B Explanation: Triangle area is one-half times base times height: 1/2 times 10 times 6.
38. What is 15% of 80?
A. 8 B. 10 C. 12 D. 15
Correct answer: C Explanation: Ten percent is 8 and five percent is 4, so 15 percent is 12.
39. Which expression is equivalent to 4(a + 3) - a?
A. 3a + 12 B. 4a + 3 C. 5a + 12 D. 3a + 3
Correct answer: A Explanation: Distribute 4 to get 4a + 12, then subtract a.
40. What is the median of 3, 5, 6, 8, 12?
A. 5 B. 6 C. 6.8 D. 8
Correct answer: B Explanation: The median is the middle value in an ordered list of five values.
41. A circle has a radius of 4 units. What is its circumference in terms of pi?
A. 4pi B. 8pi C. 16pi D. 32pi
Correct answer: B Explanation: Circumference is 2pi times radius, or 2pi times 4.
42. Which fraction is equivalent to 0.45?
A. 9/20 B. 4/5 C. 9/10 D. 45/10
Correct answer: A Explanation: 0.45 equals 45/100, which simplifies to 9/20.
43. If y = 2x - 1, what is y when x = 7?
A. 6 B. 12 C. 13 D. 14
Correct answer: C Explanation: Substitute 7: 2 times 7 minus 1 equals 13.
44. A box has length 5, width 3, and height 2. What is its volume?
A. 10 cubic units B. 15 cubic units C. 20 cubic units D. 30 cubic units
Correct answer: D Explanation: Volume is length times width times height: 5 times 3 times 2.
45. A student earns scores of 81, 87, and 90 on three quizzes. What is the mean score?
A. 86 B. 87 C. 88 D. 90
Correct answer: A Explanation: The total is 258, and 258 divided by 3 is 86.
Answer key
| # | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | B |
| 2 | A |
| 3 | B |
| 4 | A |
| 5 | A |
| 6 | B |
| 7 | B |
| 8 | A |
| 9 | B |
| 10 | B |
| 11 | C |
| 12 | A |
| 13 | B |
| 14 | C |
| 15 | B |
| 16 | D |
| 17 | B |
| 18 | C |
| 19 | C |
| 20 | C |
| 21 | C |
| 22 | C |
| 23 | C |
| 24 | A |
| 25 | B |
| 26 | A |
| 27 | B |
| 28 | C |
| 29 | B |
| 30 | C |
| 31 | A |
| 32 | A |
| 33 | B |
| 34 | B |
| 35 | C |
| 36 | B |
| 37 | B |
| 38 | C |
| 39 | A |
| 40 | B |
| 41 | B |
| 42 | A |
| 43 | C |
| 44 | D |
| 45 | A |
How to use this set
This short practice set does not duplicate an official ISEE form or its scoring. Use it to identify skill gaps, then return to current ERB information for level-specific logistics. For every missed question, note whether the issue was vocabulary, passage evidence, mathematical reasoning, calculation, or pacing.
FAQ
How do I know which ISEE level to take?
Use the grade the student is applying to enter, then confirm that mapping with each school and ERB’s current overview.
Is the ISEE essay scored?
ERB states that the Lower, Middle, and Upper Level essay is not scored. Designated schools still receive it with the score report, so write clearly under the allotted time. Primary Levels do not include a writing sample.
Does every school require the ISEE?
No. Independent schools set their own admissions requirements. Some request the ISEE, some use the SSAT, some accept either, and some do not require either test.
Are these official ISEE questions?
No. They are original questions for general skill practice. Use ERB’s official materials and your schools’ instructions for the most current test information.