Award-Winning ISEE Courses & Classes in San Antonio, TX

If your student could use some professional assistance preparing for the ISEE, a San Antonio ISEE prep course may be just what they need to pursue their academic ambitions. The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE for short) is a standardized assessment used by magnet and independent schools across the United States to make it easier to compare prospective students from divergent backgrounds. Most schools consider factors besides ISEE scores in their admission processes, but a strong performance can help a student stand out in a crowded field of applicants.

The ISEE is taken by students entering grade 2 and above. It would be silly to give students of different ages the same test, so the ISEE is split into levels according to the grade level they are entering: Primary (grades 2-4), Lower (5-6), Middle (7-8), and Upper (9 and up). No matter which of these tests your student is studying for, a San Antonio ISEE class can review both academic concepts and test-taking techniques to help improve their study skills heading into the test.

What academic subjects are usually covered in a San Antonio ISEE course?

The Primary Level ISEE is split into three separate exams (Primary 2, Primary 3, and Primary 4) to provide an appropriate challenge for children in all three age groups. Primary 2 has an Auditory Comprehension section consisting of multiple-choice questions about material read aloud, and all three tests have multiple-choice Reading and Math sections. Each exam concludes with a creative writing picture prompt to give schools a sense of each applicant's personality.

The three higher ISEE levels share a core structure, though the questions get harder as students get older. There are a total of five sections: Verbal Reasoning (40 items in 20 minutes), Quantitative Reasoning (37 items over 35 minutes), Reading Comprehension (36 items in 35 minutes), Math Achievement (47 items over 40 minutes), and Essay (one prompt in 30 minutes). Everything is multiple-choice except the essay, so test-takers have the option of guessing if they don't know an answer.

Here is a more detailed look at each section on the ISEE:

Verbal Reasoning

The ISEE'S Verbal Reasoning component measures a student's vocab skills through a series of synonym and sentence completion questions. Nobody could possibly learn every individual word that could appear on the test, so many students study Greek, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon word roots, prefixes, suffixes, and the different parts of speech as tools that can help identify an unfamiliar term's definition. Test-takers are also encouraged to read frequently as an organic way to expand their vocabulary.

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning section measures a student's mathematical thinking ability, leaving the actual performance of mathematical operations to the Math Achievement section. Potential topics include probability and multiplication tables for Lower Level test-takers, integers and the fractions for Middle Level test-takers, and statistics and exponents for students taking the Upper Level ISEE.

Reading Comprehension

The Reading Comprehension portion measures a student's reading comprehension skills through a series of reading selections. All levels of the test have questions about the main idea, an author's intent, and what the organization of a piece signifies. Test-takers sitting for the Middle or Upper Level ISEE also need to draw conclusions from what they've read and analyze figurative vs. literal language. Furthermore, the Upper Level ISEE introduces questions about literary genres to the mix, including comparisons between works across genres. If the student in your life could remember more of the info they read, active reading skills may help them work toward their academic goals.

Math Achievement

The Math Achievement section evaluates a test-taker's quantitative problem-solving skills. Potential topics include symmetry and decimals on the Lower Level ISEE, proportion and ratios on the Middle Level ISEE, and introductory statistics concepts such as median and mode on the Upper Level ISEE.

Essay

Finally, the ISEE Essay consists of one prompt that allows students to introduce themselves to each school that they are applying to. Their work is provided to schools directly instead of being scored, allowing schools to draw their own conclusions about who has the written communication skills to succeed in their programs. Factors such as clarity of expression and grammar are important, so test-takers are encouraged to sketch out a quick outline to give their piece a logical flow.

What are the benefits of enrolling my student in a San Antonio ISEE course provided by Varsity Tutors?

Every San Antonio ISEE class we provide takes place on a live online platform. This virtual classroom facilitates real-time interaction between your student, their teacher, and all of the other students in the class to create the illusion of sharing a physical classroom when everybody could actually be miles apart. As a result, all your student needs to do to ask for help is raise their hand.

Each San Antonio ISEE class is also taught by a skilled communicator with a thorough understanding of the ISEE, ensuring that all of the information discussed is relevant and completely up-to-date. Working with other students also offers several advantages that you may not think of right away. For example, completing assignments as a group can encourage students to approach academics in new ways, fostering a greater understanding of the underlying concepts. Sharing a classroom also means that you can share the bill, giving you superior value for your money than you could get on your own. Of course, you can also arrange private study sessions with the class's teacher if your student needs extra help with something.

Varsity Tutors also tries to make every product we provide as easy as possible. We offer two and four-week ISEE classes to help you find a fit for nearly any lifestyle. We also start fresh classes each week, meaning that we're ready to get started as soon as you are.

How do I sign my student up for a San Antonio ISEE course today?

Simply contact us using the information provided below for more information on how to enroll your student in a comprehensive San Antonio ISEE course provided by Varsity Tutors. Reach out today!