ISEE Reading Comprehension exam-day guide
ISEE Reading Comprehension · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission ticket or registration confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your test date, location or remote-testing link, and registration number. If you are unsure whether your school or testing office requires a printed copy, confirm with the provider.
Acceptable photo ID
ISEE testing is typically arranged through the school or an approved testing office, and ID requirements vary by site. Ask the administering office in advance which ID forms they accept (for example, school ID versus government-issued ID) and whether a copy is acceptable. Confirm with the provider.
Two or more No. 2 pencils and an eraser
The ISEE is a paper-and-pencil test at most sites. Bring sharpened pencils and a soft eraser. Mechanical pencils and pens are usually discouraged; confirm with the provider whether your site allows them.
Watch that is not a smartwatch
A simple analog or basic digital watch helps you pace yourself. Most sites prohibit smartwatches and phones at the desk. Confirm with the provider whether any watch is allowed in your room.
Water and a light snack for the break
Breaks are short. A small snack and water help you stay focused. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are permitted in the testing room or only during breaks.
Calculator policy check
The ISEE is designed so that no calculator is needed, and most sites do not permit one. Do not assume you may use a calculator. Confirm with the provider before bringing one.
Directions to the site and arrival time
Know the building, room, parking, and check-in time. Arrive early enough to complete check-in without stress. If testing remotely, test your device, camera, and internet connection the day before. Confirm the exact arrival time with the provider.
Review the section order and timing
Know the order of sections and roughly how many minutes each allows so you can budget time. The verbal and quantitative sections reward steady pacing; the reading section rewards careful passage work.
Practice essay prompt plan
The essay is unscored but sent to schools. Decide in advance on a simple structure: a clear position, two supporting reasons with examples, and a brief conclusion. Practice one timed response in the final week.
Sleep and morning routine
Plan a normal bedtime for the two nights before the test and a simple breakfast. Avoid last-minute cramming the morning of the test.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the testing office's number in case of delay, illness, or a site change. Confirm with the provider how to report an absence or reschedule.
Leave prohibited items at home
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and study materials are typically not allowed in the testing room. Confirm with the provider what must be left outside the room.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new content to consolidating strategy. Do one full timed practice set under realistic conditions and review every wrong answer to identify the error type (misread question, careless math, ran out of time). Re-read your notes on passage mapping and question types. Stop heavy study by the end of this window so you are rested.
Confirm logistics: site address, arrival time, ID requirements, and what is allowed in the room. If testing remotely, run a full equipment check. Gather pencils, eraser, watch, snack, water, and confirmation in one bag so nothing is forgotten.
Do a light review only: skim strategy notes, review a few reading passages without timing pressure, and reread your essay outline. Pack your bag and lay out clothes. Set two alarms. Eat a normal dinner and go to bed at your usual time; do not try to learn new material.
Eat a normal breakfast, drink water, and arrive early. Leave your phone and any smartwatch packed away or at home per site rules. Do a brief warm-up: read one short paragraph and summarize its main idea in your head to switch on your reading brain. Avoid discussing the test with other candidates in a way that raises anxiety.
Listen carefully to directions and note the time the section begins and ends. Skim the section's questions before diving in only if that is your practiced approach; otherwise start reading immediately and keep moving.
Read each passage for the main idea and structure before answering. For each question, locate the relevant lines, eliminate choices that are too broad, too narrow, or unsupported, and choose the best-supported answer. Do not linger on one hard question; mark it and return if time allows.
Check the clock at the midpoint of each section. If you are behind, speed up on easier questions rather than skipping whole passages. Use breaks to stand, drink water, and reset; do not use breaks to review material.
Spend a minute planning, then write steadily. State a clear position, give two specific examples, and close with a short conclusion. Leave a minute to check for obvious errors. The essay is unscored but is sent to schools, so make it legible and organized.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from the test administrator and proctor. If a rule is unclear, ask before the section begins rather than guessing.
Bring only approved items to your desk. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and study materials are typically prohibited in the testing room; confirm with the provider what must be left outside.
Present acceptable photo ID at check-in. ID requirements vary by site, so confirm with the provider in advance which forms are accepted.
Arrive by the stated check-in time. Late arrivals may not be admitted or may have their test time shortened; confirm the provider's late-arrival policy.
Breaks are scheduled and brief. Stay in designated areas, do not access notes or devices, and return promptly when the break ends.
Do not look at other candidates' papers, talk during testing, or share answers. Suspected misconduct can lead to score cancellation, per the provider's policies.
Understand the scoring: the ISEE reports scaled scores and percentile ranks by section, and the essay is unscored but forwarded to schools. There is no penalty for wrong answers on multiple-choice questions, so answer every question rather than leaving blanks.
If you are ill or cannot attend, contact the testing office as soon as possible to ask about rescheduling. Do not attend if you are sick; confirm the provider's illness and reschedule policy.