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
...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 problem sets and practice tests to monitor my students' progress.... Students develop independent learning skills through intuition-driven study habits. I teach all of my students to favor an intuitive understanding of material over rote memorization.
Education & Certification
- Saint Louis University-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- STAAR
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- +43 subjects

Marie: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...and disciplined with my study habits, which 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,...
Education & Certification
- Harvard University - Bachelor in Arts, Sociology and Government
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- SAT
- +66 subjects
Education & Certification
- Swarthmore College - Bachelor in Arts, History
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- REGENTS
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +84 subjects

Demia: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...My teaching and tutoring experience has empowered me to teach a range of subjects. My passion is writing and reading. In my experience of helping struggling students prepare for standardized tests and the GRE, I came to appreciate the different types of learning styles and utilized resources that allow students to gain confidence, therefore, becoming...
Education & Certification
- University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Bachelor in Arts, Communication
- Texas A & M University-Commerce - Master of Science, Elementary education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- GED
- +39 subjects

Ketaki: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...and I come from a beautiful town in India.I am a civil engineer by education but a teacher at core.I have helped many a students to clear their concepts in the subject math,which is more often a dreaded one. It gives me immense satisfaction to see students come out and overcome their dislike of the...
Education & Certification
- Engineering College - Bachelors, Civil Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- ACT
- PSAT
- +51 subjects

Iselee: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...is Iselee, I am a graduate of Loyola Marymount University with an undergraduate degree in Spanish, and I am currently a visual artist pursuing further studies in digital and web design. I formerly taught bilingual math and science, and I am a certified bilingual education teacher in the state of Texas. I love learning, imparting...
Education & Certification
- Loyola Marymount University - Bachelors, Spanish
- Johns Hopkins University - Current Grad Student, Digital Communication
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR
- SAT
- SSAT
- +72 subjects

Adriana: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...educator with almost 30 years of experience in the classroom and library. A large part of my classroom instruction involved tutoring in all core subject areas in grades K-5. As 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...
Education & Certification
- Southern Methodist University - Bachelors, Broadcast Film
- Southern Methodist University - Masters, Bilingual Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- SSAT
- +65 subjects

Ronda: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Currently, I hold a State of Texas Certification in EC-6 and have been working as an elementary school 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...
Education & Certification
- Arizona State University - Bachelor in Arts, Elementary Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- HSPT
- Test Prep
- +15 subjects

Reivin: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...writer/tutor, and I have a degree in African American Studies with a concentration in fine arts and history from Oberlin College. I also love the sciences and math after focusing on Neuroscience for two years while working on my Bachelor's degree. I tutor in writing, reading, sociology, the humanities, and philosophy at various levels. I...
Education & Certification
- Oberlin College - Bachelors, African American Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- ACT
- SAT
- +64 subjects

Swapna: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...accuracy. High School: It continues to support vocabulary growth and fluency when students encounter complex academic words. 2. LS = Letter Sounds Elementary: Recognizing letters and their sounds helps students map spoken language onto print. Middle: Reinforces decoding of less common words, prefixes, and suffixes. High School: Supports word analysis in advanced texts (scientific, historical,...
Education & Certification
- Kakatiya University - Bachelor of Science, Pharmacy
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- SAT
- +151 subjects

Sherry: Dallas ISEE course instructor
As a teacher with 18 years' experience in education, including 4 years as a math instructional specialist, I enjoy working to prepare for tests as well as ongoing remediation. My goal is to increase both confidence and ability in all of my students. ... Students must know that they do know some things about the subject, so I would focus on what they do know as a foundation.
Education & Certification
- Texas A & M University-Commerce - Bachelors, Elementary Education - Mathematics Specialization
- Grand Canyon University - Masters, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- REGENTS
- GED
- SSAT
- +68 subjects

Muhammad Salik: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...percentile grades from my students in the Math and Reading section of the SAT & ACT. As an Electrical Engineering major, I had to be very grounded in math subjects, 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,...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Dallas - Current Undergrad, Electrical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- SAT
- STAAR EOC
- +105 subjects

Jon: Dallas ISEE course instructor
I am a graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington. I received my Master of Arts in Mathematics. I have been teaching 7th through 12 grade math for over twenty years. I am most passionate about tutoring Algebra and Geometry. I am very patient with students who struggle.
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Arlington - Master of Science, Mathematics
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- STAAR EOC
- CLEP
- +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
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- +57 subjects

Alexis: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...of Michigan State University where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Human Development & Family Studies. After graduation, I gave a year of service with an AmeriCorps program called City Year. During that year, I served over 1700 hours as a tutor and mentor to students in under resourced communities in hopes that the...
Education & Certification
- Michigan State University - Bachelor in Arts, Human Development and Family Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Test Prep
- Reading Intervention
- Algebra 2
- +28 subjects

Stacey: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...language to concentrate on achieving their goals instead of which words to choose. I want to help the student new to America feel comfortable going into each academic and social situation that is his life. I strive to bring my students more "future tense" and less "tense future." I have over three years' experience teaching...
Education & Certification
- University of North Texas - Bachelors, Communications (Radio/TV/Film)
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- IELTS - International English Language Testing System
- K-11th Grade Standardized Tests
- +65 subjects

Nilay: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...Biology, Macromolecules, Separation Techniques and Genomics and Proteomics to students enrolled in Masters of Pharmacy. In 2010 after submitting my PhD thesis I was hired as a Lecturer in the 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...
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
- CogAT
- UK A Level
- GED
- +67 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
- 2nd Grade Writing
- 1st Grade Writing
- +49 subjects

John: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...learning. This concept of being self-aware in the learning process is central to my teaching style. When I am not tutoring, teaching, or helping others increase their communication skills, I can be found playing piano and saxophone around town with some bands, being upside down while practicing Acroyoga, biking around with friends, or playing with...
Education & Certification
- Texas A & M University-College Station - Bachelors, French
- Rice University - Masters, Linguistics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- STAAR EOC
- +60 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
- Study Skills
- ISEE- Lower Level
- +20 subjects