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Study Guide: Chicago Independent Schools (ISEE/SSAT mix) Exam Survival Guide
Source: https://www.fatskills.com/k-12-assessment-tests/chapter/chicago-independent-schools-isee-ssat-mix-exam-survival-guide

Chicago Independent Schools (ISEE/SSAT mix) Exam Survival Guide

By Fatskills Exam Guides Team — the exam nerds behind 28,500+ quizzes and 2.1M practice questions across 500+ global exams.

⏱️ ~1 min read

Use: Latin School, Lab, Parker & peers (requirements vary; often ISEE or SSAT + writing sample + interview)

Must-do

  • Verbal: roots/prefixes; synonyms; analogies (SSAT).
  • Quant/Math: estimation/number sense (ISEE QR), algebra/geometry (Math Ach.).
  • Reading: purpose, inference, function; charts/paired texts (Upper).
  • Writing sample: clear structure, specific examples (sent to schools).
  • Interview fit: curiosity, community, activities.

Top traps

  • Two-blank sentence completions solved without tone first.
  • Over-algebra on comparisons (estimate first).
  • Essay: generic examples; weak close.
  • Interview: scripted answers, no questions for school.

Quick checks

  • Root bene → beneficial/benign (positive good).
  • Compare 45\sqrt{45}45​ vs 7 → < (≈6.7).
  • Translate “20% of x is 30” → 0.2x=30.
  • One strong question to ask the interviewer (club, course, service).

You will make

  • Two-Blank Playbook (tone → logic → eliminate).
  • Estimation ladder (roots/powers/fractions).
  • Essay outline frames (hook, 2 points, specific example, close).
  • Interview one-pager (stories + questions).

Last-48h

  • 15 vocab; 6 two-blank; 12 math mix; 2 timed passages; 1 essay outline.
  • 10-min interview rehearsal (STAR stories).

Speed tactics

  • Lock tone, then meaning; reject wrong connotations.
  • Compare magnitudes before algebra.
  • Reading: answer with a line reference.

Day-of plan

  • 8-min warm-up: 5 vocab + 3 comps + 2 math.

Arrive early; bring writing sample mindset & interview questions.