ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) Exam Survival Guide

Audience: Private/independent schools (Lower/Middle/Upper) | Sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading, Math Achievement, Essay

Must-do topics

• Verbal Reasoning: synonyms, sentence completions (context, logic).
• Quantitative Reasoning: word problems, comparisons, estimation, number sense.
• Reading: purpose, inference, detail, vocabulary in context.
• Math Achievement: curriculum-based (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, DS).
• Essay: coherent organization, examples, clear style.

Top traps

• Sentence completions with two blanks → order matters (tone & logic).
• Quantitative comparisons: doing full algebra instead of estimating.
• Reading: hunting for a word match (trap) instead of idea match.
• Math: forgetting to translate words to equations cleanly.

Quick checks

• Sentence completion: “Her parsimonious habits meant she rarely spent money, preferring to ____ rather than indulge.” → save.
• Quant comp: is 50\sqrt{50}50​ > 7? (≈7.07 → Yes).
• Ratio word problem to equation (define variables!).
• Reading: identify author’s purpose in 1 line.

You will make

• Two-blank strategy sheet (tone → logic → eliminate).
• Estimation ladder (roots, powers, fractions).
• Word→Equation translator list (per, of, is, than…).
• Reading stem bank (main idea, inference, function).

Last-48h checklist

• 20 vocab (synonyms + 5 two-blank items).
• 15 quantitative comparisons (estimate first).
• 2 Reading passages (note purpose & tone).
• 12 math achievement Qs (mix topics).
• 1 essay outline + intro (7–10 min).

Speed tactics

• Verbal: lock tone first; eliminate mismatched connotations.
• Quant: compare by size sense before algebra.
• Reading: answer with a line reference when possible.
• Math: draw/label for geometry; convert words → symbols immediately.

Day-of plan

• 8-minute warm-up: 6 vocab + 4 quant + 2 math.
• Keep moving; mark and return—no single Q >60s.