Finding the right New York City ISEE prep solution for your child doesn't have to be difficult when you take advantage of the help of Varsity Tutors. If your child will be taking one of the ISEE levels, it probably means you are hoping they will be accepted to one of the city's top independent or private schools. These schools rely on the ISEE to give them insight into the academic level of those children who apply.
No matter how well your child has been doing in their studies thus far, giving them an opportunity to review with a skilled instructor can help them work towards doing their best on test day. To learn more about what is covered on the different levels of the ISEE and how Varsity Tutors can help you find the right New York City ISEE prep strategy for your child.
What can New York City ISEE prep cover?
There are four levels of the ISEE; Upper, Middle, Lower, and Primary. The Upper Level is for students entering grades nine through twelve. The Middle Level is for students entering grades seven or eight. The Lower Level is for children entering grades five or six. The Primary Level is comprised of three sublevels; Primary 4, Primary 3, and Primary 2. The Primary Levels correspond to the grade level the child will be entering. All of the levels evaluate your child's grade level appropriate understanding of math and reading. They also all require your child to write an essay that is not graded.
The Upper, Middle, and Lower levels of the ISEE all have the same five core sections; Math Achievement, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and an Essay. Students will have have the same amount of time for these sections to answer the same number of questions. The specific skills evaluated throughout the sections are based on the grade level.
In the Math Achievement section of the exam, your child will have 40 minutes to answer 47 questions. In the Quantitative Reasoning section, they will have 35 minutes to answer 37 questions. These sections evaluate your child's mathematical thinking and math operation skills. Some of the math skills and concepts your child may need to review, depending on their grade level include solving equations, data analysis and probability, basic math operations, measurement, geometry, working with variables and exponents, integers, fractions, square roots, decimals, estimation, ratios and proportion, prime factorization, and various algebraic concepts.
For the Verbal Reasoning portion of the exam, your child will have 20 minutes to answer 40 questions. In the Reading Comprehension section, they will have 35 minutes to answer 36 items. These sections measure your child's English language and reading comprehension skills. A few of the English language and reading skills your child can review with the help of a professional ISEE prep resource include parts of speech, root words, prefixes, suffixes, synonyms, comparing and contrasting, identifying an author's intent, cause and effect, figurative and literal language, and determining the meaning of a word from context clues.
Your child will have 30 minutes to respond to one writing prompt in the Essay section of the test. Although the Essay isn't graded, a copy of your child's response is sent to the schools to which your child applies. It is an opportunity for them to demonstrate their competency with skills such as sentence structure, creativity, organization, punctuation, and grammar. As part of their ISEE preparation, they can work on developing these skills so they can accurately represent their unique style and personality.
The three core sections of the Primary Level are Reading, Mathematics, and a Writing Sample. As with the other levels, the writing sample is not graded but should still be considered during preparation efforts. The Primary Level 2 ISEE has an additional section for students to complete that focuses on their auditory comprehension. During this section the students have a passage read to them, and they then answer questions based on the information presented. Some of the skills your child may need to review before taking one the Primary Levels of the ISEE include vocabulary, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and reading comprehension.
Professional New York City ISEE preparation can help your student prepare for their upcoming exam whether they need targeted help on specific skills or a comprehensive overview of multiple subjects.
How can a New York City ISEE prep class help my child prepare?
Prep classes are ideal for students who need a comprehensive overview and who thrive in group learning environments. Having the support of peers who are all focused on a common goal is highly motivating for many students. Classes are held in a secure online environment and are structured similarly to a traditional classroom. The teacher will present the curriculum to the class and may then work with children individually answering questions or facilitate group projects or conversations to support greater understanding of specific topics.
You can choose between two and four-week classes to ensure your child has an appropriate amount of time to prepare. Each class is made of individual sections, and new sections begin each week. This means your child can get started right away with their prep efforts.
How is working with a New York City ISEE tutor different from taking a course?
The two biggest differences between working with a tutor and taking a course are the amount of personalized instruction your child can receive and how sessions are scheduled. When working with a private tutor, your child's lessons will be tailored to their specific learning style, academic needs, and scoring goals while classes offer a more generalized approach that focuses equally on all areas. You and your needs determine the schedule of a private session while a course has designated times that your child must attend.
How can I get my child started with New York City ISEE prep?
Varsity Tutors can help you quickly sign your child up for a New York City ISEE prep course or connect you with a private ISEE tutor who can work one-on-one with your child. We know that education isn't a one method fits all proposition, which is why we want to support you in providing your child what they need to maximize their test preparation efforts. Contact Varsity Tutors now to get started today.

Margarita: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...originally from Russia, and I grew up with a very strong and traditional math background. I always find teaching math to students to be gratifying, and I hope to share some of my love for math with my students. I also enjoy tutoring test prep, especially since I know how stressful the process of applying...
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- PSAT
- ACT
- +55 subjects

Peter: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...and writer. My professional experience includes: private tuition, tutoring, schoolteaching, and university lectures. I believe teaching can be both creative and effective, which I achieve by applying personally tailored lessons, varied approaches, and professional methods. My teaching aims to meet the individual needs of each student through carefully structured lessons that establish strong foundations and...
Education & Certification
- SUNY at Stonybrook - Bachelors, Music
- Yale University - PHD, Music
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- REGENTS
- +80 subjects

Joanna: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...a student will feel. No one wants to do something discomforting, so comfort and, once again, understanding, is of utmost importance. Overall, my goal is to make sure you feel comfortable in your classes or for your tests and are clear in what you are learning, all while making it fun and enjoyable!... Try a different method. Use a Socratic or questioning technique to find out where they're steering wrong so we can correct.
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- REGENTS
- SSAT
- +32 subjects

Roshan: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...available to tutor in SAT Prep and writing. I am very passionate about helping students of all backgrounds realize their dreams and become more passionate and confident about their academics. I provide focused, targeted lessons and often rely on analogies as well as visual teaching aids within my lessons. Feel free to reach out with...
Education & Certification
- The College of New Jersey - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- CogAT
- SSAT
- +42 subjects

Noah: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...have extensive experience in liberal arts subjects (writing skills, critical reading, etc.) and also have a history of success on multiple standardized tests, having scored in at least the 98th percentile on the ISEE, ACT, SAT, and LSAT. While in college, I was president of the Tufts Debate Team for 2 years, have traveled internationally...
Education & Certification
- Tufts University - Bachelors, International Relations/Arabic
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- +65 subjects

Elisheva: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...coding is an incredibly challenging as well as rewarding occupation. As a lifelong learner, I love to help others understand a topic they are struggling with. I feel that the tutor gains as much as the student from the experience. As a tutor, I believe that students will enjoy learning if they understand the material...
Education & Certification
- Adelphi University - Bachelor in Business Administration, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- CLEP
- SSAT
- +60 subjects

Diptesh: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...and have been teaching, tutoring, and mentoring students from grades 6-12 and college in a variety of subjects since! I specialize in mathematics and science tutoring as well as standardized exam preparation. In the past, I have helped students achieve significant improvements and success on the SAT, SHSAT, Regents and other exams! I truly believe...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor of Science, Global Public Health & Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- OLSAT
- REGENTS
- Advanced Placement
- +88 subjects

Dylan: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...any problem the student might encounter. I try to really drive home, on a conceptual level, why things are done the way that they are. Over the course of my tutoring career I have found this approach to be far more effective in the long run. If you give a students a robust base of...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad Student, Economics
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad Student, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- HSPT
- +78 subjects

Ming: New York ISEE test prep instructor
I graduated from Columbia University in 2016 with a degree in applied mathematics. I work in finance now but have always had a passion for tutoring peers. I've been tutoring for standardized tests such as the SATs, AP subject tests, and ACTs since high school.
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelors, Applied Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- PSAT
- HSPT
- +54 subjects

Jeff: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...succeed and achieve their dreams. Many of my students were either aspiring first-generation college students or had parents who were recent immigrants to this country, and I consider my work helping them prepare for tests and gain acceptance into colleges to be my greatest achievement at this point in my life. In the teaching process,...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Undergrad, Neuroscience/Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SHSAT
- ACT
- TACHS
- +37 subjects

Anne: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...I did architecture, visual arts, I studied languages (Swedish and Russian, which I now speak fluently), took subjects in the humanities and the sciences, became a Pilates instructor, and also played drums and wrote music professionally! As a result, I can truly get in the mindset of a student who is learning something - NO...
Education & Certification
- Bard College - Bachelors, Russian Studies
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Grad Student, Physical Therapy
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- SHSAT
- GED
- +70 subjects

Marguerite: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...I learned time and again the thrill of seeing someone work through and understand a problem or concept through your guidance. Experience at home made me especially comfortable as I tutored elementary school students at the Harlem Academy in New York City, and served as a student mentor at my high school. These experiences have...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Bachelor of Science, Physics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- ACT
- SAT
- +26 subjects

Ayomide: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...I believe that if a student is relaxed and excited for a tutoring session, they learn a lot more and are more engaged in the lesson. Especially with test prep for standardized exams, which can be a lot of pressure for students, I like to come up with individualized test-taking strategies for each student I...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Current Undergrad, Anthropology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- PSAT
- Creative Writing
- +29 subjects

Jessica: New York ISEE test prep instructor
I'm a student at NYU working on my BM in Vocal Performance. I'm energetic, cheerful, competitive, and I like thinking outside the box. I love figuring things out and learning things and am excited to get to know and teach you!
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor of Fine Arts, Voice and Opera
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- Algebra 2
- +32 subjects

Thomas: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...especially strong culture of administrative and intra-departmental evaluation. The ability to respond well to and implement feedback was crucial to our team's success; my work with both programs has helped me commit to an atmosphere of persistent evaluation and improvement. My performance studies including the opportunities I've had to artistically direct the work of other...
Education & Certification
- Duke University - Bachelors, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- HSPT
- TACHS
- +53 subjects

Jillian: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...education, and I aspire to use my experiences to teach others. I have taken the SAT, ACT, and several AP exams, and I am a recipient of an award from the French Department at NYU. I first became passionate about tutoring in high school, when I would assist other students in mathematics. I also have...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- Advanced Placement
- PSAT
- +78 subjects

Zachary: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...Chicago (with some of the worst weather in the world) where I studied Cognitive Science and Theater. I am pursuing a career as an actor, but am thrilled to continue to flex my intellectual side and share my passion for learning with the next generation. In college, I studied Cognitive Science, not so much as...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Theatre, Cognitive Science
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- +60 subjects

Rena: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...or merely visiting the city. My background in mathematics is very extensive. I took all honors mathematic courses up through AP Calculus BC in high school and Calculus I in my first year of college. I also have in-depth experience with English. In high school, I took AP Literature and Composition and AP Language and...
Education & Certification
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick - Current Undergrad, Urban Planning and Design
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SHSAT
- TACHS
- SAT
- +30 subjects

Jessica: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writing requirement at the University prior to matriculating, I was the first freshman tutor to be accepted into this selective program. The tutoring program involved a preliminary peer-tutor training course prior to beginning tutoring, in order...
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Bachelors, History
- Nova Southeastern University - PHD, Medicine
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- PSAT
- +81 subjects

Zoe: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...a creative seminar at camp with a small co-ed group of young students, and the poems and thoughts some of those children came up with were simultaneously moving, insightful, wacky, and hilarious in a way that the best adult writers could only hope for. The best part of it all was that it was the...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Theatre
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +32 subjects