ISEE Quantitative Reasoning study guide
ISEE Quantitative Reasoning · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is an admission assessment administered by ERB, a not-for-profit member-based organization with a nearly century-long history of serving independent schools. According to ERB, the exam is accepted by over 1,200 independent schools around the world and is described as a trusted and predictive admission assessment for students in Grades 2-12. Families register for the ISEE through ERB, and ERB publishes guidance on understanding ISEE scores alongside learning and writing enrichment resources. The exam is one part of a broader admissions picture that schools use when evaluating applicants. The ISEE Quantitative Reasoning study guide has 4 sections and about 1,401 words.
01Quantitative Reasoning: Compare First, Calculate Second
Quantitative Reasoning asks you to reason about numbers, not grind through arithmetic. At the Middle and Upper levels it is about 37 questions in 35 minutes with no calculator, so speed comes from choosing the right method.
380 words, about 2 min02Verbal Reasoning: Synonyms and Sentence Logic
Verbal Reasoning is 40 questions in 20 minutes at the Middle and Upper levels - about 30 seconds each - split between synonyms and sentence completions. It rewards a broad, precise vocabulary and the habit of using context rather than word recognition alone.
335 words, about 2 min03Reading Comprehension: Answer the Question Asked
Reading Comprehension is 36 questions in 35 minutes at the Middle and Upper levels, built around roughly six passages: fiction, nonfiction, science, social studies, and occasionally poetry. Questions ask for main idea, supporting detail, inference, vocabulary in context, tone, purpose, and organization.
347 words, about 2 min04Mathematics Achievement: Curriculum Math Under Time Pressure
Mathematics Achievement is the curriculum-based math section: 47 questions in 40 minutes at the Middle and Upper levels, no calculator. It covers arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, basic algebra, geometry, measurement, statistics, and probability.
339 words, about 2 min