The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is the most widely accepted admissions test for independent and private schools. There are four levels: Primary (entering grades 2–4), Lower (entering grades 5–6), Middle (entering grades 7–8), and Upper (entering grades 9–12). The level your child takes depends on the grade they’re applying to enter — not the grade they’re currently in. Our tutors can help you figure out which level applies and what to expect.

We recommend starting at least 2–3 months before the test date to allow enough time for meaningful preparation without cramming. Many families begin in the summer or early fall for winter test dates. Starting earlier gives us more time to build vocabulary, strengthen weak areas, and work through full-length practice tests under real conditions.

The ISEE uses stanine scores (1–9), with 5 being average. Most competitive independent schools look for stanines of 7 or above across sections. Your child also receives a percentile ranking comparing them to other students who took the same level in the past three years. Our tutors help families understand what their target schools typically expect and build a realistic plan to get there.

The essay is not scored numerically, but it is sent directly to the schools your child applies to — and admissions committees do read it. A well-organized, thoughtful essay can make a strong impression, especially for competitive schools. Our tutors coach students on how to plan, write, and proofread a clear essay within the 30-minute time limit.

All our ISEE sessions are online, which means your student can work with the most experienced ISEE tutors available — not just whoever happens to be nearby. Online sessions also make it easy to fit prep into a busy schedule with flexible session lengths starting at just 15 minutes.

Absolutely! Many of our students attend Milton High School and Pierce Middle School. Our tutors are familiar with these schools’ curricula and can provide targeted support.

Yes! We work with many families from Milton Academy, Thayer Academy, and BC High. Our tutors understand the rigorous expectations at these schools.

Yes — all of our tutoring is online, so we regularly work with families throughout the South Shore including Quincy, Braintree, Canton, Dedham, and Randolph.

Call us at (617) 208-4929 or fill out the form below. We’ll have a quick conversation about your student’s target schools, which ISEE level they need, and what areas to focus on. Then we’ll match you with an experienced ISEE tutor. The first session is always free so your student can try before you commit.