The ISEE
Length: approximately three hours, plus time for reading directions and two scheduled breaks.
•All ISEE multiple choice questions offer four answer choices: A, B, C, D.
5 sections:
Verbal Reasoning: 20 min/40 questions
Quantitative Reasoning: 35 min/35 questions
Reading Comprehension: 40 min/40 questions
Mathematics Achievement: 40 min/ 45 questions
Essay: 30 min
ISEE Verbal Reasoning
20 min/40 questions
Synonyms – given a word, and must choose the word most similar in meaning from the answer choices
Sentence Completions – given a sentence with a word or phrase missing and must choose the word or phrase from the answer choices that best completes the sentence.
ISEE Quantitative Reasoning
35 min/35 questions
•Quantitative Comparisons – given two quantities, one in column A and the other in column B and must determine which quantity is greater.
•Answer A if A is bigger, B if B is bigger, C if the two quantities are equal, D if it cannot be determined from the information given.
•Subject matter covered includes:
–Arithmetic/Algebra/Geometry
–Concepts/Understanding/Higher Order Thinking
ISEE Reading Comprehension
40 min/40 questions
•8-9 Passages with 4-5 questions each
•Passage Types:
–Humanities Passages
–Science Passages
–Social Studies Passages
ISEE Mathematic Achievement
40 min/45 questions
•Multiple Choice
•Problem Solving
•Arithmetic/Algebra/Geometry
ISEE Essay
30 min
•Timed written response to a given prompt, using examples from history, literature, or personal experience
•Not scored – copy sent to schools along with score report
•Used by Admissions officers to measure applicant’s writing skills and reasoning abilities
•Two pages long – front and back of one sheet of paper
•Should write 3-4 paragraphs
