ISEE · private school admission · grades 2-12

ISEE Practice Test

Try ISEE-style synonyms, sentence completions, quantitative comparisons and word problems for the Lower and Middle levels, each answer explained. Then see every 2026-27 ISEE level and how the scores work.

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Unofficial practice. ISEE is a trademark of E3n, which is not affiliated with iMasterly and has not reviewed or endorsed these questions.

Question 1 of 5Verbal Reasoning · Synonym

RELUCTANT most nearly means

Quick answer

What is on the ISEE?

The ISEE has four levels set by the grade a child is applying to. The Lower, Middle and Upper Levels have four scored sections, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Achievement, plus an unscored essay, and take 2 hours 20 to 2 hours 40 minutes. There is no guessing penalty, and each section is scored 760 to 940 with a percentile and a stanine.

Source: E3n: About the ISEE and E3n: ISEE score reports · Updated

ISEE levels, sections and timing

Primary 2, 3 and 4

For children applying to grades 2, 3 and 4. No essay.

ReadingPrimary 2: 18 + 6 listening · P3: 24 · P4: 28P2: 20 + 7 min · P3: 28 min · P4: 30 min
Break5 to 10 min
MathematicsP2: 24 · P3: 24 · P4: 28P2 and P3: 26 min · P4: 30 min
TotalAbout 1 hour plus a break

Lower Level

For students applying to grades 5 and 6.

Verbal Reasoning34 questions20 min
Quantitative Reasoning38 questions35 min
Break10 min
Reading Comprehension25 questions25 min
Mathematics Achievement30 questions30 min
Break10 min
Essay (not scored)1 prompt30 min
Total2 hours 20 minutes plus two breaks

Middle and Upper Level

Middle: applying to grades 7 and 8. Upper: applying to grades 9 to 12. Same layout and timing.

Verbal Reasoning40 questions20 min
Quantitative Reasoning37 questions35 min
Break10 min
Reading Comprehension36 questions35 min
Mathematics Achievement47 questions40 min
Break10 min
Essay (not scored)1 prompt30 min
Total2 hours 40 minutes plus two breaks

The ISEE is given online or on paper, with the same questions and timing either way. Primary 2 adds a few listening questions: the child hears a short passage without seeing it, then answers questions about it.

Source: E3n's About the ISEE page, 2026-27.

How ISEE scores and stanines work

Scaled score: 760 to 940

One for each scored section, adjusted so every test form means the same.

Percentile: 1 to 99

Compared with students in the same grade who took the ISEE over the last three years. It is not the percent of questions right.

Stanine: 1 to 9

Percentiles grouped into nine bands. The report shades one stanine either side, since a retest could land there.

StaninePercentilesCompared with other applicants
11 to 3Well below average
24 to 10Below average
311 to 22Below average
423 to 39Average
540 to 59Average
660 to 76Average
777 to 88Above average
889 to 95Above average
996 to 99Well above average

E3n points out that ISEE students are compared with other independent school applicants, a stronger group than all students, so a percentile can look lower than on a school test. Scores are usually ready in 3 to 5 days online, or 5 to 10 days on paper.

Source: E3n's ISEE score reports guide. The percentile bands are the standard stanine split.

What the full practice includes

Every level

Primary 2, 3 and 4, Lower, Middle and Upper, each with a diagnostic to find what to work on first.

Seven full tests per level

With the same scored sections and question counts as the real ISEE, and a timer you can turn on.

Every answer explained

At the end your child sees each question again with the right answer and why. Progress saves as they go.

It is in the app under Test Prep, next to SSAT practice for the Elementary and Middle/Upper levels.

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Questions parents ask

What is on the ISEE?
The Lower, Middle and Upper Levels have four scored sections: Verbal Reasoning (synonyms and sentence completions), Quantitative Reasoning (math reasoning that needs little or no calculating), Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Achievement. They end with an essay that is not scored but is sent to schools. The Primary Levels have just reading and math.
Which ISEE level should my child take?
It depends on the grade your child is applying to, not the grade they are in now. Applying to grade 2, 3 or 4: Primary 2, 3 or 4. Applying to grade 5 or 6: Lower Level. Applying to grade 7 or 8: Middle Level. Applying to grades 9 to 12: Upper Level.
How long is the ISEE?
The Lower Level takes 2 hours 20 minutes and the Middle and Upper Levels 2 hours 40 minutes, each plus two breaks. The Primary Levels take about an hour plus a break.
Is there a penalty for guessing on the ISEE?
No. Students are scored only on correct answers, so a blank and a wrong answer count the same. Your child should answer every question.
What is a good ISEE score?
Schools look mostly at the percentile and stanine for each section. Stanines 4 to 6 are the middle of the group, and 7 to 9 the top 23 percent. Keep in mind the comparison group is other students applying to independent schools in the same grade over the last three years, so a percentile can look lower than on a school test. Ask the schools you are applying to what they look for.
What is the ISEE score range?
Each scored section gets a scaled score from 760 to 940, plus a percentile from 1 to 99 and a stanine from 1 to 9 that compare your child with others in the same grade.
What is the difference between Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics Achievement?
Quantitative Reasoning tests how well a child thinks mathematically: estimating, logic, comparing quantities and reading graphs, with little or no calculation. Mathematics Achievement tests the math they have learned and may need real calculation and math vocabulary. On the Middle and Upper Levels, Quantitative Reasoning also has quantitative comparison questions.
How many times can you take the ISEE?
Once per testing season, up to three times a school year. The seasons are Fall (August to November), Winter (December to March) and Spring/Summer (April to July).
Can you use a calculator on the ISEE?
No, unless the student has an approved accommodation for calculator use.
How much does the ISEE cost?
At a school, E3n lists $130 for the Primary Levels and $170 for the Lower, Middle and Upper Levels. Testing at a Prometric center is $250, and at home with an ISEE proctor $185 (Primary) or $250. Schools can give fee waivers to families who qualify.
Is this the official ISEE practice?
No. The official practice comes from E3n's What to Expect on the ISEE guides and Test Innovators. Our questions are original, written to match the sections, question types and counts E3n publishes. We do not copy real ISEE questions.

The ISEE is published by E3n. We are not affiliated with them, and these practice questions are our own. Also see SSAT practice and SSAT vs ISEE.