If your student's test prep could use a boost, enroll them in our Dallas Fort Worth ISEE prep course today to help them reach for academic success. The Independent School Entrance Examination, or ISEE, is a standardized test used by independent and magnet schools across the country as one factor in the application process. The test may be taken by students entering second grade or over, and it's split into four levels (Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper) to provide a fair academic challenge to every student. The Primary ISEE is for students entering grades 2-4, Lower 5-6, Middle 7-8, and Upper 9+.
Taking a Dallas Fort Worth ISEE class may prove beneficial no matter which level of the exam your student is taking. Each class provides a comprehensive look into not only the academic skills needed on test day, but also test-taking tips that may help increase a test-taker's confidence. Keep reading to learn more about how we may be able to help you.
What are some of the subjects covered by a Dallas Fort Worth ISEE course?
The Primary Level ISEE is divided into three separate examinations as an acknowledgment that a lot of learning takes place between second grade and fourth grade, each signified by a numeral corresponding to the grade level a test-taker is entering. For example, Primary 2 is taken by students entering second grade. Each Primary ISEE contains multiple-choice Reading and Math sections that measure age-appropriate academic skills, and Primary 2 also has an Auditory Comprehension section based on listening packages. Each Primary Level ISEE concludes with a picture-based writing prompt that allows test-takers to share their personality with schools.
The Lower, Middle, and Upper ISEEs all share the same basic format. There are five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Math Achievement, and Essay. Here is a closer look at what students can expect to see on each one:
1. Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning section always consists of 40 multiple-choice items over a 20-minute testing session. Questions are structured as either sentence completions or synonyms, assessing a student's vocab skills. It's virtually impossible to try to memorize every word in the English language, so students might want to study Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, suffixes, and the parts of speech to help decipher what an unfamiliar term means. Reading can also provide a student with valuable experience using context to figure out what a word means.
2. Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning section contains 37 multiple-choice questions over 35 minutes on all three levels. This section measures a student's mathematical thinking skills, saving operations for a different portion of the exam. Some possible topics include multiplication and long division on the Lower Level ISEE, fractions and decimals on the Middle Level exam, and introductory statistics and exponents on the Upper Level test.
3. Reading Comprehension
The Reading Comprehension section involves 36 multiple-choice questions over 35 minutes. Every question is based on a reading passage, measuring how well students retain what they read. Test-takers at all levels must determine an author's intent, the main idea and its supporting details, and how a passage's structure influences its point. Students taking the Middle Level ISEE also need to draw inferences based on what they've read and compare/contrast multiple passages. Students taking the Upper Level exam need to do all of that across literary genres, making it more challenging. If your student could retain more of the information they read, active reading skills such as note-taking should be a focal point in their test prep.
4. Math Achievement
The Math Achievement section has 47 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes. It emphasizes quantitative problem-solving skills, filling in the gaps of the Quantitative Reasoning section above. Some possible topics include decimals and percentages on the Lower Level ISEE, the geometry of triangles and quadrilaterals on the Middle Level ISEE, and algebraic equations and coordinate grids on the Upper Level ISEE.
5. Writing
The ISEE Writing section is not scored but photocopied and sent to each school a student applies to, allowing admissions departments to assess a student's written communication skills for themselves. It is structured as an introduction, but factors such as grammar and syntactic variety are also considered by most institutions. If your student gets intimidated by essays, learning how to outline them beforehand may help them seem more approachable.
Why should I choose a Dallas Fort Worth ISEE course provided by Varsity Tutors?
Every Dallas Fort Worth ISEE class we provide is taught by a knowledgeable instructor with great communication skills. It'll also take place on a live virtual platform that makes online instruction feel as intuitive as attending a class in person, without the usual logistical nightmare of going someplace.
Students can also interact with their peers while they study, allowing everybody to work together to establish a collaborative learning environment that may expedite the learning process. For example, hearing a friend explain something can help it feel more relatable than a teacher's perspective on the topic. Similarly, the student who does the explaining inadvertently reinforces their own knowledge of the material by teaching it to somebody else.
Studying as a group also allows multiple people to split the corresponding bill, making a Dallas Fort Worth ISEE class more affordable than you might think. If your student seems to be falling behind their new friends, you also have the right to set aside private study time outside of your student's scheduled class sessions to go over any concept they may need to.
Varsity Tutors also tries to make studying as convenient as we can. We launch new classes every week, so it's always a good time to get started. Similarly, two and four-week classes are available to make it easier to find something for nearly any schedule.
Can I sign my student up for a Dallas Fort Worth ISEE course right now?
Absolutely. Use the contact info provided on this page to reach out to a knowledgeable educational consultant for more information about each Dallas Fort Worth ISEE course option Varsity Tutors provides or to get the enrollment process started. We look forward to hearing from you!
David: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...computer and social scientist. I hold graduate degrees from Columbia University and the University of Chicago and earned my bachelor's at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to teaching at the undergraduate level, I research ways the natural sciences can be used to advance the study of anthropology and history. I am currently...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelors, History, Computer science
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Masters, Sociology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- GED
- ACT
- +105 subjects
Laurie: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...graduate from Texas Tech University with a BBA in Marketing. I am a former elementary teacher with thirteen years in public schools teaching mostly 4th grade. My favorite subject to teach is math. I have a proven record helping students succeed on standardized test by preparing them with knowledge and test taking strategies. I help...
Education & Certification
- Texas Tech University - Bachelor in Business Administration, Marketing
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Elementary School Math
- Math
- English
- +7 subjects
Nici: Dallas ISEE course instructor
Hard work and dedication is the key to your success.... Build that relationship. Get to know my scholar first, to understand how they grow.... By teaching good study habits, organizational skills, and self advocacy.... By instilling self-esteem and determination. Also, by making learning fun and meaningful.... Continuous practice is what is needed. The more you practice a skill, the better you become at that skill.
Education & Certification
- Wiley College - Bachelors, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- CLEP
- CLEP College Algebra
- Science
- +20 subjects
Marie: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...information and understand it. Outside of education and work, I enjoy sailing, which I have both participated in and coached most of my life. I walked on to the Harvard varsity team my freshmen year and ended up racing at nationals a couple years later. Athletics were a huge part of my college experience so...
Education & Certification
- Harvard University - Bachelor in Arts, Sociology and Government
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- SAT
- +66 subjects
Iselee: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...I formerly taught bilingual math and science, and I am a certified bilingual education teacher in the state of Texas. I love learning, imparting knowledge, and bilingualism, and I am eager to assist students with academic goals. Previously, I've taught 3rd grade bilingual courses including English and Spanish literacy and grammar as well as math,...
Education & Certification
- Loyola Marymount University - Bachelors, Spanish
- Johns Hopkins University - Current Grad Student, Digital Communication
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +72 subjects
Britni: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...small groups to help them be successful. I also work with their teachers on helping them develop plans for their struggling students. I have had the privilege to tutor my classroom students and have had a tremendous amount of success with seeing them grow academically. I celebrate all growth with my students. I believe that...
Education & Certification
- University of North Texas - Bachelors, Sociology
- Texas A & M University-Commerce - Masters, Curriculum and Instruction
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- CogAT
- ISEE-Upper Level Writing
- Handwriting
- +23 subjects
Adriana: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...a librarian, I had the pleasure of working with middle school teens as a resource and mentor in academic competitions and other activities. My teaching philosophy involves listening to the student and assessing weaknesses and strengths. I use scaffolding to build upon small successes until the student has mastered skills and achieved his/her goals.... I believe in working with students, developing their strengths and improving their weaknesses. Everyone can learn, but not in the same way and pace.
Education & Certification
- Southern Methodist University - Bachelors, Broadcast Film
- Southern Methodist University - Masters, Bilingual Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- HSPT
- +62 subjects
Connor: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...as my strong interpersonal communication skills. With proper guidance, every student possesses the ability to grasp even the most complex of topics, and I have built my tutoring career on this premise. As an experienced tutor, I have continually enjoyed seeing my students achieve lofty goals under my instruction. I specialize in tutoring biology, chemistry,...
Education & Certification
- Saint Louis University-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- HSPT
- +43 subjects
Jamila: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...share that 100% of my students met the Approaches Grade Level standard in reading, with 97% achieving Meets Grade Level and 62% reaching Masters Grade Level. In writing assessments, my results were equally impressive, with 100% achieving the minimum score, and 32 students classified as Advanced. My mission is to make a meaningful impact on...
Education & Certification
- Huston Tillotson University - Bachelor in Arts, English
- Concordia University-Ann Arbor - Masters in Education, Educational Administration
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR EOC
- Advanced Placement
- MAP
- +46 subjects
Muhammad Salik: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...my mathematics foundation and applications allow me to be a very versatile tutor, breaking down the subject into easy to understand modules. As a result, I am very comfortable and confident in not only tutoring them but doing so at a level and style that students can readily follow and understand. I have taken higher...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Dallas - Current Undergrad, Electrical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- STAAR
- Advanced Placement
- +105 subjects
Mercedes: Dallas ISEE course instructor
I specialize in writing but also excel in other areas such as elementary math. I am very personable and enjoy communicating as well as interacting with students to aid in their learning process. I look forward to working with you!... For me, the most important thing is teaching a student to work independently. Far too often, students expect to be given the answer, which will not effectively prepare them for higher-level work.
Education & Certification
- The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey - Bachelors, Communications
- Full Sail University - Masters, Creative Writing
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- Study Skills
- 6th Grade Reading
- +49 subjects
Rachelle: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...to help the learning sink-in and stick. My priority is to not only teach the student, but to get to know the student so I can be a more effective teacher. I recently graduated with my Elementary Education degree and I am so anxious to put what I learned to work. I also love being...
Education & Certification
- Wichita State University - Bachelor in Arts, Elementary Education
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR
- Phonics
- College English
- +20 subjects
Ronda: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...teacher. My experience as a classroom teacher and a former instructional assistant has adequately prepared me with the necessary skills to tutor students from kindergarten through fifth grade. Although I am currently a fourth grade Reading teacher, I am most passionate about teaching Reading, Writing, and Math. I am a firm proponent of education and...
Education & Certification
- Arizona State University - Bachelor in Arts, Elementary Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- SSAT
- Math
- +15 subjects
Tiffany: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...I want to help students from all backgrounds get a quality education and not feel judged. In my public school education, I struggled myself with vision issues, which caused my education to dwindle, but it took one amazing teacher to ensure I found my way again. I hope to be the same for students. I...
Education & Certification
- University of Central Florida - Bachelor in Arts, English
- The University of Alabama - Master of Arts, English
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT
- HSPT
- +109 subjects
Nilay: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...same institute till I moved to USA in 2011 and joined as postdoctoral fellow in UT Southwestern Medical Center. To fulfil my never-ending passion for teaching I got myself involved in teaching and mentoring STARS and SURF students who are visiting UT Southwestern Medical Center in summer. Most recently, I got engaged in teaching advanced...
Education & Certification
- University of Calcutta - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
- University of Calcutta - Master of Science, Biochemistry
- Jadavpur University - Doctor of Philosophy, Pharmacy
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- HSPT
- ACT
- +67 subjects
Jessica: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...educator, my passion for education continues when I am not at school teaching. I enjoy working with students one-on-one to help then master the content that they are working on. I thrive on coming up with different ways to help a struggling student succeed. Building relationships is another part of tutoring that I love. It...
Education & Certification
- Western Governors University - Bachelor in Arts, Elementary Education
- Western Governors University - Master of Science, Special Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- STAAR
- Elementary School Reading
- +20 subjects
Haani: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...tutoring. Friends, family, personally, and professionally, I've run the gamut. While I have tutored almost every subject, I specialize in STEM and Standardized Testing. In my view, building academic skills and confidence go hand-in-hand, when you feel knowledgeable it's much easier to demonstrate that knowledge. I take pride in meeting my students where they're at,...
Education & Certification
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh - Master of Science, Statistics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- CogAT
- SAT
- SHSAT
- +125 subjects
Alesha: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...school for the past 7 years to help students who need extra help with a subject and to pass the STAAR test. I love helping students find a new strategy or tool they can use to help them understand something they are missing. I also know how to push students to a level higher to...
Education & Certification
- Texas AM University- Commerce - Bachelor of Science, Elementary School Teaching
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- HSPT
- SSAT
- +14 subjects
Vivek: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...a current sophomore at Austin College. I am a biology major and neuroscience minor. Science has been my passion from a young age. I like tutoring because I sincerely enjoy helping others and being able to impart my knowledge and experience. Along with being strong in my curricular classes, I have experience helping and tutoring...
Education & Certification
- Austin College - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SSAT
- TOEFL
- +66 subjects
Emily: Dallas ISEE course instructor
I recently graduated from the Master of Education in Counseling program at the University of Houston and is working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. I majored in Psychology and Sociology, and minored in Women's and Gender Studies in undergraduate. I speak and write fluent English, Mandarin, and Malay.
Education & Certification
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
- University of Houston - Masters in Education, Mental Health Counseling
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- WPPSI
- UK A Level
- SSAT
- +62 subjects