Tests / ISEE
The ISEE: what it is and how it works
The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is an admissions test accepted by more than 1,200 independent schools. A student applying to 9th grade takes the Upper Level: four multiple-choice sections and an unscored essay in 2 hours 40 minutes. It is provided by E3n, the nonprofit formed in 2026 when ERB and EMA merged.
Facts checked October 11, 2026 against the official pages listed at the bottom. Dates and rules change every year. Prepwick is not affiliated with the test's publisher.
ISEE at a glance
| Provided by | E3n, formed on March 1, 2026 from the merger of ERB and EMA |
|---|---|
| Level for 9th grade | Upper Level. The level is set by the grade a student is applying to |
| Sections | Five: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement and an essay |
| Questions | 160 multiple-choice questions and one essay prompt |
| Time | 2 hours 40 minutes, plus two 10-minute breaks |
| Where | At home online, at a school, at a testing office or at a Prometric test center |
| Attempts | Once per testing season, up to three times a school year |
| Fee, 2026 to 2027 | $170 at a school. $250 at a Prometric center or for the at-home test run by E3n. $225 or $255 at a testing office |
| Calculator | Not allowed, unless it is an approved accommodation |
| Wrong answers | Not deducted from the score |
| Scores | Each scored section gets a scaled score from 760 to 940, a percentile and a stanine from 1 to 9 |
ISEE scores. Scaled scores from 760 to 940, percentiles and stanines, and how families choose who sees them.
What is on the Upper Level ISEE?
The Upper Level ISEE has five sections, given in the order below, with a 10-minute break after the second and the fourth. Question counts and times are E3n's. Seconds per question is our arithmetic from those two numbers.
Verbal Reasoning
Questions: 40Time: 20 minutes, 30 seconds each
Two kinds of questions: synonyms and sentence completions.
Quantitative Reasoning
Questions: 37Time: 35 minutes, about 57 seconds each
Math problems that ask students to estimate, use logic, compare quantities, analyze data and read graphs. E3n says they need little or no calculation.
Reading Comprehension
Questions: 36Time: 35 minutes, about 58 seconds each
Reading passages, each followed by questions about it.
Mathematics Achievement
Questions: 47Time: 40 minutes, about 51 seconds each
Numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis and probability, and problem solving.
Essay
Questions: 1 promptTime: 30 minutes
A short essay on an assigned prompt. It is not scored. The schools a family picks receive a copy.
Each multiple-choice section includes several questions that are not scored. E3n may use them on future tests.
How does the ISEE work?
- The year has three testing seasons: fall (August to November), winter (December to March) and spring and summer (April to July). A student may register once in each.
- A parent registers online or by phone, first come, first served. An online test can be booked three or more days ahead. A paper test needs 21 days.
- For the at-home test, a parent or guardian must be home for the whole exam.
- Schools get the score report only when a family names them as recipients. The report does not show how many times a student has tested in the past 12 months.
When can you take the ISEE?
The ISEE runs by season. A student who tests in September, in the fall season, has to wait until December, the winter season, to test again. Test dates and formats vary from one test site to the next.
| Fall season | August, September, October, November |
|---|---|
| Winter season | December, January, February, March |
| Spring and summer season | April, May, June, July |
What the publisher says about test prep
E3n says students generally do best when they prepare over a period of time, and that last-minute cramming is not typically a successful approach. It offers free online sample tests and guides, and names Test Innovators as its official practice partner. Prepwick does not offer ISEE prep yet.
ISEE questions parents ask
How many questions are on the Upper Level ISEE?
160 multiple-choice questions and one essay prompt: Verbal Reasoning 40, Quantitative Reasoning 37, Reading Comprehension 36 and Mathematics Achievement 47.
How long is the ISEE?
The Upper Level takes 2 hours 40 minutes of testing, plus two 10-minute breaks.
Which ISEE level does an 8th grader take?
The Upper Level, if the student is applying to 9th grade. The level depends on the grade a student is applying to, and the Upper Level covers grades 9 to 12.
How many times can you take the ISEE?
Once per testing season, which allows up to three times in a school year. The seasons are fall, winter, and spring and summer.
Can you take the ISEE at home?
Yes. At-home testing is offered online only, and a parent or guardian must be home for the whole exam. The ISEE is also given at schools, testing offices and Prometric test centers.
How much does the ISEE cost?
For the Upper Level in 2026 to 2027: $170 at a school, $250 at a Prometric test center or for the at-home test run by E3n, and $225 for a small group or $255 for an individual sitting at a testing office.
Is there a penalty for guessing on the ISEE?
No. Incorrect answers are not deducted from the score.
Is the ISEE essay scored?
No. The essay is not scored. A copy goes to the schools a family chooses as score recipients, and families do not receive a copy.
Can you use a calculator on the ISEE?
No, unless a student has an approved accommodation for calculator use.
What is the difference between the ISEE and the SSAT?
Both come from E3n and both are used by independent schools. On the ISEE a wrong answer costs nothing and a student may test once per season. On the Upper Level SSAT a wrong answer costs a quarter of a point, and a student can sit more test dates in a year.
Which New York City high schools accept the ISEE?
Each school sets its own list. Loyola School accepts the ISEE, SSAT or HSPT. Fordham Prep takes ISEE or SSAT scores. Dominican Academy encourages the TACHS and will consider the HSPT and ISEE. Check each school's admissions page.
Sources
- E3n, ISEE score reports
- E3n, ISEE for families
- E3n, ISEE Quick Facts Guide, 2026 to 2027
- E3n (Admission.org), who we are
- E3n, ISEE registration
- E3n, ISEE preparation
- E3n, SSAT score reports
- E3n, SSAT for families
- Loyola School, application process
- Fordham Preparatory School, how to apply
- Dominican Academy, how to apply
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