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!
Connor: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...and have prior experience in assisting pre-professional (pre-medical and pre-nursing) students looking to succeed in their required general science classes. My tutoring methodology is dependent on the establishment of a strong conceptual framework, and subsequent application of theory through practice problems (the best way to master any pure science). I frequently employ the use of...
Education & Certification
- Saint Louis University-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- HSPT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- +43 subjects
Vivek: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...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 younger students in various subjects and test prep. As a patient and encouraging teacher, I am adept...
Education & Certification
- Austin College - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- ACT
- +66 subjects
David: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...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 completing...
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
- SAT Subject Tests
- +105 subjects
Britni: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...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 in order to be successful and to continue being successful, as students and adults it is important to...
Education & Certification
- University of North Texas - Bachelors, Sociology
- Texas A & M University-Commerce - Masters, Curriculum and Instruction
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- CogAT
- Test Prep
- ACCUPLACER ESL - Sentence Meaning
- +23 subjects
Iselee: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...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, science, and social studies. I have also tutored high school and university writing and math. I have extensive...
Education & Certification
- Loyola Marymount University - Bachelors, Spanish
- Johns Hopkins University - Current Grad Student, Digital Communication
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR
- PSAT
- SSAT
- +72 subjects
Rachelle: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...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 outdoors and being active. My favorite experiences growing up were going to camp, and I still love trying...
Education & Certification
- Wichita State University - Bachelor in Arts, Elementary Education
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR
- Reading
- Elementary School Math
- +20 subjects
Jamila: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...the lives of students who have the willingness to try despite the odds. My push is to create FUN learning experiences for my students that are personalized to meet their individual learning needs. I also take pride in using student data, along with knowing their individual learning styles to ensure there is improvement in their...
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
- SSAT
- Advanced Placement
- +41 subjects
Muhammad Salik: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...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 level math courses and understand the fundamentals very well so it allows me to teach them in a...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Dallas - Current Undergrad, Electrical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- +105 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
- HSPT
- ASVAB
- +62 subjects
Kay: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...communities, 10 years in the classroom as a Substitute Teacher and countless years as a tutor. I have extensive experience with learners who have other contributing factors which hinder them academically. It is my belief all students are able to achieve academic success and I work tireless to identify strategies to assist them in overcoming...
Education & Certification
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville - Bachelors, Psychology
- Webster University - Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology
- Webster University - Masters, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- STAAR EOC
- K-11th Grade Standardized Tests
- +75 subjects
Kim: Dallas ISEE course instructor
I am able to determine what obstacles are preventing a student from grasping a concept, and create different means of overcoming those obstacles. Creating a partnership with the student and understanding what he or she needs to overcome is what makes me a great tutor. ... I would talk with the student and/or his or her parents to learn what each hopes to achieve from the tutoring sessions. I would ask what they've tried, what they liked, and what they didn't about their previous efforts. Then I would work hard to provide a good deal of value in that first lesson so that we can continue to work together.
Education & Certification
- Princeton University - Bachelors, Anthroopology
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - Masters, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- GED
- SAT
- PSAT
- +57 subjects
Jessica: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...children since I was a downhill ski instructor in Minnesota during high school. I believe in multiple teaching styles because each student learns differently and requires various tools to be successful in the classroom. All students have the potential to be great, and its my job to help them to reach their goals!
Education & Certification
- University of Minnesota - Bachelor of Science, Education and Animal Science/Biotechnology
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - Masters in Education, Education
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- ISEE-Middle Level Reading Comprehension
- ISEE-Lower Level Quantitative Reasoning
- +39 subjects
Marie: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...is definitely something I try to impart on my students. While I think that organization and discipline are important for learning, I also know that fun is essential. My main goal with my students is to foster a general love for learning that persists beyond a specific test, subject, or even my time with them.
Education & Certification
- Harvard University - Bachelor in Arts, Sociology and Government
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- +66 subjects
Najeal: Dallas ISEE course instructor
I enjoy helping kids learn and grow as better people. ... In order to improve at something, you have to attack it head on.... Introduce myself, give a background check, and try to build rapport with the student and parents.... Give them techniques that they can use when it comes to figuring out different problems.... Get them to understand that it's ok to mess up, and that's how you learn from your mistakes. Don't be afraid to mess up or get it wrong.
Education & Certification
- Texas Wesleyan University - Current Undergrad, Criminal Law
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- College Algebra
- COMPASS Mathematics
- English
- +11 subjects
Carlos: Dallas ISEE course instructor
I enjoy the fact of teaching something to someone and seeing the light bulb in the head go off through that twinkle in their eye; that is when I feel a sense of satisfaction because I helped someone get past a hurdle.
Education & Certification
- Grambling State University - Bachelor in Arts, Digital Communications and Multimedia
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Economics
- Windows 10: Exam 70-698 - Installing and configuring Windows 10.
- Java
- +69 subjects
John: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...student is an integral part of my teaching. I believe that if the student can be communicative about what they do and do not understand, it will not only help me as the tutor, but more importantly, this will inform the students understanding of their own learning processes and where they are on their journey...
Education & Certification
- Texas A & M University-College Station - Bachelors, French
- Rice University - Masters, Linguistics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- TOEFL
- ACT
- +60 subjects
Education & Certification
- Swarthmore College - Bachelor in Arts, History
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- +84 subjects
Mary: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...tens trays, and various measuring items to help students get a tactile and tangible experience. I have a good sense of humor and use it wisely and with fun in my lessons with students. We have fun, while learning ! In my leisure time, I enjoy gardening, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, socializing...
Education & Certification
- University of North Texas - Bachelor of Science, Education of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs
- University of North Texas - Master of Science, Educational Administration
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Test Prep
- Pre-Algebra
- Intermediate Algebra
- +8 subjects
Lynn: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...love and enjoy helping my students understand the wonderful world of science and making the learning experience an enjoyable one for them. As a visual and hands-on learner, I am passionate about using different teaching methods and styles with my students. Through my time as a student, the tips and tricks that I've picked up...
Education & Certification
- University of North Texas - Bachelor in Arts, Biochemistry
- University of North Texas Health Science Center - Master of Science, Biomedical Sciences
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- REGENTS
- WISC IV
- +96 subjects
Anthony: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...I know what is takes to help students learn things on their level. I walk students through the problems and help them pick apart what the questions are asking. I also help students with the process of elimination and understanding each answer. I am patient and look forward to working with your student.... Teach so that the students can learn the things they need to be successful.
Education & Certification
- Baylor University - Bachelors, Early Childhood Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR
- SSAT
- HSPT
- +11 subjects