The verbal section of the SSAT is more difficult than that of the ISEE, whereas the math section of the ISEE is more difficult than that of the SSAT. … SSAT verbal isn’t only more difficult than ISEE verbal—it also makes up much more of the total exam score.

Do schools prefer ISEE or SSAT?

There is no hard and fast rule for which schools require which exam, as they are free to choose whichever exam they choose. New York private day schools and boarding schools often prefer the SSAT; whilst other private schools often only accept ISEE; nonetheless many schools accept both.

Is the ISEE test difficult?

The ISEE is an extremely difficult test, and each level—Lower, Middle, and Upper—is designed to challenge multiple grade levels. Because of this, there is material on the test that you are not expected to know.

How is the SSAT different from the ISEE?

Reading section: The ISEE and SSAT reading passages cover a variety of subjects, with the primary difference being that SSAT includes poetry and older-style literature while the ISEE generally focuses on more contemporary passages. Math sections: The ISEE and SSAT both have two math sections.

Is the SSAT test hard?

While the test is designed to be of “middle difficulty,” this is a very competitive group of students against which you’re being scored—these are the select students applying to the finest independent schools.

What is a good ISEE score for 9th grade?

In general, a good ISEE score is a Stanine Score of 7, 8, or 9. Stanine Scores of 4, 5, and 6 are considered average, and scores of 1, 2, and 3 are below average.

Is the ISEE harder than the Shsat?

Students have told me that the SHSAT math is pretty hard, but that the ISEE math is harder, and that the ISEE reading is definitely harder than the SHSAT reading (longer passages, more subtle questions). … In other words, it’s better to get 100% on the math and 70% on the verbal than it is to get 90% on both.

What schools require the ISEE?

• Castilleja School in Palo Alto.
• Menlo in Atherton.
• Woodside Priory in Portola Valley.
• Harker in San Jose.
• Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto.
• Drew in San Francisco.
• The Nueva School.
• Lick-Wilmerding in San Franciso.

Is SSAT similar to SAT?

How are the tests similar? The tests are similar in that they are entrance exams that help students get into schools of their choosing. Both the SAT and SSAT are only considered to be one part of the student’s application when looking to get accepted by a school.

Should I retake the SSAT?

The truth is, the majority of students see higher overall scores through taking the test more than once. Just think – you now have prior knowledge of the test to do better your second time through (some call this “SSAT wisdom”). Don’t doubt your capacity for significant score improvement!

Article first time published on

How quickly do you get ISEE results?

As it turns out, you’ll definitely get your report back within 14 days. After you complete the test on paper, it’s sent to the ISEE Operations Office and will be scored that same week. The fastest way to get your scores back is to make sure you’re registered for an online account.

Should you guess on the ISEE test?

There is no guessing penalty on the ISEE, which means you should answer every question. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend time on every question. Since ISEE questions are not in a predictable order of difficulty, you should skip the hard questions and try them later. If you are running out of time, guess.

Can I use a calculator on the ISEE?

Students may not bring any books, papers, rulers, calculators*, beepers, or cell phones of any kind into the examination room. If a student does not comply, he or she will be excused from testing and the test will be invalidated.

How do I prepare for the SSAT test?

1. Practice, practice, practice – early! …
2. Read – a lot! …
3. If you know you are weak in a particular subject, get help before you take the test. …
4. Be prepared. …
5. Get a good night’s rest. …
6. Be on-time for your test. …
7. Relax! …
8. Set a pace.

How long does it take to prepare for SSAT?

We encourage students to allocate at least three months for effective SSAT prep. In many cases, students begin their SSAT prep at least a year prior to an official test date. We also encourage students to create an SSAT study plan that aligns with their goals and timeline.

What is a good SSAT score for 5th grader?

Median Scores (SSAT 50th Percentile)GradeReadingMiddle Level556965937611

How long is the SSAT?

SectionNumber of QuestionsDurationVerbal6030 minutesQuantitative 22530 minutesExperimental1615 minutesTotals1673 hours, 5 minutes

What is a good SSAT score?

A: The median total score for the Upper Level SSAT has been reported at approximately 1980 (out of 2400). A score of 2100 is in the top quartile of all test-takers, while scores of 2180 and 2240 are in the top 10% and top 5%, respectively.

How many times can you take the SSAT?

The SSAT at Home is offered every Saturday, as well as a few Sundays, and can be taken up to five times per year. The SSAT at Home is the same test as the traditional SSAT— the only difference is that the test is administered on the computer rather than on paper.

Do schools see all ISEE scores?

ISEE: Selective independent schools generally expect to see 5’s across all four sections of the ISEE. At a school like Sage Hill in Newport Beach CA, most admits are scoring 5’s and 6’s. … SSAT: Selective independent schools generally expect to see scores above the 50th percentile.

How many times can you take the ISEE?

Students can take the ISEE as many times as they’d like, with a limit of once per testing season. This means that if a student takes the exam in September, they’d need to wait until December for the Winter Testing Season (or later) to retake the ISEE.

How long is the ISEE exam?

Duration — 2 hours and 50 minutes (Upper and Middle Levels); 2 hours and 30 minutes (Lower Level). Sections — Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement and an unscored essay.

Is PSAT and SSAT the same?

How does the SSAT compare to the PSAT and SAT? Like the PSAT and SAT, the SSAT tests students’ verbal, reading, and math skills. However, since this exam is not designed by CollegeBoard — the organization that sponsors the PSAT and SAT — it tests some of these skills in different ways.

What type of math is on the SSAT?

The SSAT tests a student’s skills in three mathematical areas: computations, geometry/algebra, and mathematical concepts.

Who runs the SSAT?

EMA administers The SSAT. to more than 70,000 candidates each year.

Who needs to take SSAT?

The SSAT is designed for students in grades 3 through 11 who are seeking admission to private schools. It’s available in three levels: elementary for students in grades 3 and 4, middle for students in grades 5 through 7, and upper for students in grades 8 through 11.

What is SSAT exam?

Program Description. Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) Preparation program is designed for students who are seeking entrance to independent schools. The purpose of the SSAT is to measure the basic verbal, quantitative, and reading kills students develop over time.

How much does the ISEE test cost?

Fees for the ISEE Test A fee of $200 applies to ISEE test-takers who opt to take the test as part of a small group. To take the test independently costs $225. Individual tests are also given at Prometric testing sites. The cost for taking the ISEE test individually at a Prometric site is $200.

Can I take SSAT multiple times?

Can I take the SSAT more than once? In general, yes. You may take the SSAT on any or all of the standard test dates. However, you may only take the SSAT on one FLEX test date per year.

Can you choose which SSAT score to send?

No, you can’t choose to send your Math score from one test day and your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score from another test day. But some colleges use superscoring, which means they consider your highest section scores across multiple test dates.

What is an SSAT flex test?

A Flex test is a paper-based SSAT given to an individual or group on a flexible basis. The test date can be any day other than the six Standard test Saturdays. Middle and Upper Level Flex tests are also not available between the Flex 1 and Flex 2 periods stated below.