Primary Level ISEE
The primary level ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is a standardized test administered to students currently in grades 1-3 who are applying for admission into select private schools for entrance to grades 2-4. The primary level ISEE is only available in an online format. For grade 2 candidates, there are 4 sections that make up the exam. For grade 3 and 4 candidates, there are 3 sections that make up the exam. All sections of the ISEE are timed except for the essay portion. Students will receive a score report with a scaled score for each section of the exam ranging from 760-940. Although the essay portion will not be scored, it will be scanned and sent to the schools the student is applying for.
New York City Applicants: Students taking the primary level ISEE in New York City do not need to complete the writing sample. New York City schools do not require a writing sample.
Primary Level 2 (For students entering grade 2)
| Test Section | Overview | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auditory Comprehension | The auditory comprehension section focuses on the child’s ability to listen to and comprehend a reading passage. Students will listen to an age appropriate audio passage and answer 6 multiple choice comprehension questions. | 6 Questions | 7 minutes |
| Reading | The reading comprehension section consists of 3 grade level appropriate passages. Students will answer 6 multiple choice questions that focus on the main idea and details of each passage. Passages will be both fiction and non-fiction. | 18 Questions | 20 minutes |
| Mathematics | The mathematics section involves single and multi-step math problems that contain curriculum based content associated with the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). | 24 Questions | 26 minutes |
| Writing sample | The writing sample consists of 1 written prompt that the student needs to respond to. | 1 Picture prompt | Untimed |
| Total Time: 53 mins + writing sample | |||
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Primary Level 3 (For students entering grade 3)
| Test Section | Overview | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | The reading comprehension section consists of 4 grade level appropriate passages. Students will answer 6 multiple choice questions that focus on the main idea and details of each passage. Passages will be both fiction and non-fiction. | 24 Questions | 28 minutes |
| Mathematics | The mathematics section involves single and multi-step math problems that contain curriculum based content associated with the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). | 24 Questions | 26 minutes |
| Writing sample | The writing sample consists of 1 picture prompt that the student needs to respond to. | 1 Picture prompt | Untimed |
| Total Time: 53 min + writing sample | |||
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Primary Level 4 (For students entering grade 4)
| Test Section | Overview | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | The reading comprehension section consists of 4 grade level appropriate passages. Students will answer 7 multiple choice questions that focus on the main idea and details of each passage. Passages will be both fiction and non-fiction. | 28 questions | 30 minutes |
| Mathematics | The mathematics section involves single and multi-step math problems that contain curriculum based content associated with the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). | 28 questions | 30 minutes |
| Writing sample | The writing sample consists of 1 written prompt that the student needs to respond to. | 1 Prompt | Untimed |
| Total Time: 60 min + writing sample | |||
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For registration information and to register for the ISEE please visit the ERB website.
Additional Resources
- Primary Level ISEE
- Lower Level ISEE
- Middle Level ISEE
- Upper Level ISEE
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