If your student is taking the ISEE soon, reach out to Varsity Tutors so we can enroll them in a San Francisco-Bay Area ISEE prep course. The Independent School Entrance Exam, or the ISEE, is an admissions test that many magnet schools and independent schools in the United States use to measure a prospective student's academic skills. Your student may need to take the ISEE if they want to be considered for local independent or magnet schools, and an excellent way to prepare for it is by having them enroll in our prep course.
A San Francisco-Bay Area ISEE course may be what your student needs to get ready for their upcoming exam. Every course is online, plus each one is directed by a professional teacher. The goal of a prep course is to familiarize your student with the components of the ISEE.
What could a San Francisco-Bay Area ISEE course help my student study?
The ISEE offers four levels: Primary Level (second through fourth grade), Lower Level (fifth and sixth grade), Middle Level (seventh and eighth grade), and Upper Level (ninth through 12th grade). They're available in online and paper formats. (Paper tests are available for Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels only). You may have heard a little about the test from your student's teacher or someone else. Nevertheless, let's explain the levels and sections in detail.
The Primary Level covers Auditory Comprehension, Reading, Math, and Writing. The Auditory Comprehension section is for second graders only, and students need to listen to passages and answer questions. The Reading section measures their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. The Math section tests them on basic math operations. The Writing sample presents a picture, and students have to write a story based on the picture. Though it doesn't get a score, this section demonstrates a student's creativity and writing ability.
The Lower Level includes Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Math Achievement, and Essay. The Verbal Reasoning section tests students on using context clues to complete sentences and on elementary/middle school-level vocabulary. The Quantitative Reasoning section measures arithmetic and logic skills. The Reading Comprehension section assesses a student's ability to find the main idea and to locate vital information in a passage. The Math Achievement section covers percents, decimals, and other related concepts. The Essay features an elementary-level prompt that allows a student to express themselves.
The Middle Level consists of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Math Achievement, and Essay. The Verbal Reasoning section covers parts of speech and middle/high school-level vocabulary. The Quantitative Reasoning section tests a student's problem-solving and math skills. The Reading Comprehension section measures one's ability to locate and use information from reading passages and to understand figurative and literal language. The Math Achievement section features math concepts like prime and composite numbers and Venn diagrams. The Essay requires students to write a grammatically-correct piece based on a middle school-level prompt.
The Upper Level includes Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Math Achievement, and Essay. The Verbal Reasoning section assesses a student's skills in high school-level vocabulary and correct use of English. The Quantitative Reasoning section tests one's data analysis and problem-solving skills. The Reading Comprehension section covers the author's intent, main and supporting ideas, and logic. The Math Achievement section focuses on math operations. The Essay allows students to express their writing talents by responding to a high school-level prompt.
Students are permitted to skip questions, though they're encouraged to answer every one. Their score is only based on the number of questions they answered correctly; they won't be penalized for wrong answers.
How does a San Francisco-Bay Area ISEE class assist my student with preparing for the test?
Each class takes place in a virtual atmosphere, which makes it simple for your student to engage in lessons from home. We provide new sessions every week, and your student can join a two-week class or a four-week class. Once you find a San Francisco Bay Area ISEE class that complements your student's schedule, they can begin right away.
Upon enrolling in a San Francisco-Bay Area ISEE course, your student will interact with other pupils and a teacher. All of them will work together in groups to prepare for the ISEE. If you have an Upper Level student, they can review algebra and geometry problems to get ready for the Math Achievement section. They can also study for the Reading Comprehension section by looking for passages in books and having conversations on what they think the authors are trying to say. Maybe, you have a much younger student, like at the Primary Level. They can practice for the Auditory Comprehension section by listening to sample audio files and prepare for the Writing sample by telling a story about a picture provided to them. The teacher can assist your student in answering questions quickly and accurately by sharing clever test-taking strategies. Some students become nervous before test day arrives. The instructor can try to quell any nervous feelings by offering relaxation tips.
What's great about a prep course is that your student can request one-on-one assistance with the teacher if they're struggling with certain sections of the exam. These teachers have gone through an in-depth vetting process to make sure they're knowledgeable in their niche and can communicate well with K-12 students.
This program seems like it would really benefit my student. How do I sign them up for a San Francisco-Bay Area ISEE course?
When you sign your student up for an ISEE prep course, you're helping them build many useful skills. A prep course doesn't only prepare them for the test. It assists them with getting ready for classes they would face upon enrolling in a certain school.
The enrollment process is a cinch. Just pick up the phone or send a message via our contact form, and a representative will get back to you as soon as possible. If you're eager to sign your student up for a San Francisco-Bay Area ISEE course, don't waste another minute! Please contact us at Varsity Tutors today.

Jean: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
I graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Mathematics/Economics and minors in both Theater and Global Studies, and am tutoring the GMAT, SAT and a few high school math subjects. I like to incorporate into my lessons the psychology behind how we learn new concepts and thereby discover how to apply them appropriately. With both...
Education & Certification
- University of California-Los Angeles - Bachelors, B.S. Mathematics/Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT
- GMAT Verbal
- +30 subjects

Jennifer: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
I'm a recent graduate of the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pure Chemistry. I've tutored on a regular basis since the start of my junior year in college, in topics ranging from language arts to mathematics for elementary to college students. I believe that the most productive progress can...
Education & Certification
- University of California-Riverside - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- CLEP
- SAT Subject Tests
- +107 subjects

Amanda: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
A current first grade teacher, I love working with students to achieve reading and writing goals. I am a great tutor because I have over a decade of experience teaching children. I work with students to break down information into easy to manage pieces and make sure they are understanding each step as they go...
Education & Certification
- SFSU - Bachelors, Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- Phonics
- College English
- +10 subjects

Helene: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
...things as well! For instance, I have an enduring love for literature and writing, and I am also completely fluent in German, having lived in Germany for fourteen years. I would love to be given the occasion to teach some German, English literature, or composition writing. I've often been my friends' informal editor! In my...
Education & Certification
- Mills College - Bachelor in Arts, Sociology/Anthropology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- SSAT
- +57 subjects

Talia: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
I obtained my B.A. from Williams College in 2008, double majoring in Psychology and Sociology. In 2011, I received my California Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. I have been working in classrooms, providing academic support, since 2004. I have extensive experience working with individuals with special needs, from moderate to severe, and the gifted population. I...
Education & Certification
- Williams Collegee - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology & Sociology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- STAAR
- SSAT
- +43 subjects
Education & Certification
- Murray State College - Associate in Science, Medical Office Assistance
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- UK GCSE
- ACT
- ACCUPLACER
- +203 subjects

Derek: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
...no more than a few hours of English during the entire time I was in Mexico! My experience gave me expert knowledge of Spanish, and now I understand what it is like to learn a new language: what is difficult, what concepts are hard for English speakers, etc. I even tutor math in Spanish a...
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University - Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
- University of Oxford - Master of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- GED
- SAT
- ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra
- +43 subjects

Ariela: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
One of my strengths, and one of the reasons that I am good at test taking, is my ability to organize information. It's a skill I use both in my academic life, as well as professionally; as a stage manager, it is often my job to take in complicated and conflicting pieces of information (the...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Current Undergrad, Theater & Performance Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- Advanced Placement
- +50 subjects

Brianna: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
I am a currently a high school mathematics teacher. I graduated from the University of Richmond majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing Analytics and a minor in Mathematics. I have worked with kids of all ages, ranging from elementary school to college students through various subjects. I have also worked extensively with...
Education & Certification
- University of Richmond - Current Undergrad, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT 8-Week Prep Class
- SSAT
- +217 subjects

Max: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
...name is Max - I'm a senior at Yale College where I study Economics. I'm originally from Millburn, NJ. This year, I'm taking two semesters off from school to sing and travel the entire world with the Yale Whiffenpoofs, America's oldest collegiate a cappella singing group. Apart from singing, I'm is passionate about education, particularly...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Current Undergrad, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- PSAT
- +104 subjects

Erica: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
I am a graduate of Oberlin College, where I attained two Bachelor's degrees in English and Ancient Latin Language and Literature. I am a licensed teacher with a diversity of experience working with young people. For the past 10 years, I have tutored students of all ages and in a variety of subjects, with a...
Education & Certification
- Oberlin College - Bachelor in Arts, English; Latin Language and Literature
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- PSAT
- GED
- +77 subjects

Kaley: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
I love teaching and I have been working with kids since high school. I have experience both as a classroom teacher and a tutor and in these roles I look for ways to make learning fun and rewarding. I especially love teaching reading and writing and I have taught or tutored these subjects to students...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelors, Education and Public Policy
- Harvard Graduate School of Education - Masters, Human Development and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- SAT
- ACT
- +35 subjects

Rebecca: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
I am a graduate of Northwestern University where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. I am currently pursuing a masters degree in social work at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. I am passionate about tutoring because I want everyone to be able to...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Psychology
- University of Chicago SSA - Masters, Social Work
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- ACT
- SAT
- +53 subjects

Kaan: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
Hey! I am a senior majoring in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. I interned at GE Energy Management during the Fall of 2014 and the Summer of 2015, which provided me with excellent communication, organiztion, and team-working skills. I was a peer tutor back in high school helping kids with any...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Current Undergrad, Electrical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- +41 subjects

Connor: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
I fully believe that my interest in the field of academic tutoring is born out of my endless pursuit of knowledge, as well 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....
Education & Certification
- Saint Louis University-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR
- SSAT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- +43 subjects

Margarita: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Russian Literature from Columbia University in May 2014, and I plan on beginning medical school in the fall of 2015. Since graduation, I have been working part-time in a dermatologist office as a Medical Assistant and part-time on a public health project related to smoking cessation....
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- ACT
- +55 subjects

Cynthia: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
I am a recent graduate from Princeton University, home for the summer in the Philadelphia area. I was a Neuroscience major, and I will be pursuing my PhD in Neuroscience in the fall at Johns Hopkins. I have been tutoring high school students outside of class in college and involved in STEM academics and research...
Education & Certification
- Princeton University - Bachelors, Neuroscience
- Johns Hopkins University - PHD, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- PSAT
- +72 subjects
Education & Certification
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - Bachelor of Engineering, Chemical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- SAT
- +48 subjects

Edward: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
I went to Elkhorn South High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and I am currently studying chemical engineering at the University of Michigan. I have always helped out my fellow students with schoolwork, and I have tutored in the National Honor Society for three years. My tutoring strengths include my abilities to stay calm, be patient,...
Education & Certification
- University of Michigan - Unknown, Chemical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT
- Test Prep
- +29 subjects

Andrew: San Francisco ISEE course instructor
Hi, I'm the philosopher they call Andrew! You are most very definitely welcome to come to me with any school questions, but be warned: there's a good chance we'll soon be figuring out the meaning of life...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- CLEP
- SAT Subject Tests
- +100 subjects