ISEE Upper Level
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ExploreAbout this exam
The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is the admission test published by E3n (formerly ERB) for students applying to independent schools. The Upper Level is the version taken by students applying to grades 9–12. It is offered in both online and paper formats, and the same test is used by schools across the admissions cycle to compare applicants from different schools and grading systems. The exam is divided into four equally weighted sections - Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics Achievement - so a weakness in any one area pulls down the overall profile. Scores are reported to the schools you designate, and schools set their own expectations; there is no single passing score. Preparation is built around familiarization rather than memorization: every ISEE registrant gets a free Test Innovators practice test with personalized feedback, and free online sample tests for the Upper Level mimic the actual online interface and produce a score report similar to the real one. E3n also publishes a free "What to Expect on the ISEE" guide with a paper practice test. Students with a fee waiver receive free access to all Test Innovators materials, including multiple practice tests and additional questions. A sensible plan is one diagnostic test, targeted skill work on the weakest section, then timed full-length practice to rehearse pacing and reduce test-day anxiety.
What you'll study
About ISEE Upper Level preparation
Who takes the ISEE Upper Level?
The Upper Level is for students applying to grades 9–12. E3n lists separate versions for Primary 2, 3, and 4, Lower Level (grades 5–6), Middle Level (grades 7–8), and Upper Level (grades 9–12), so confirm with your target schools which level they require before registering.
Is the ISEE offered online or on paper?
Both. E3n's free sample tests are designed to mimic the look and feel of an actual ISEE Online test so online testers can learn the interface, and the "What to Expect on the ISEE" guides include a paper practice test. Check availability and any format requirements with the schools you are applying to.
How hard is the Upper Level, and is there a passing score?
There is no pass/fail line. Scores are used by admissions offices alongside grades, recommendations, and interviews, and each school sets its own expectations. Difficulty is relative to the applicant pool, so the practical target is to perform near your own best rather than to clear a fixed cutoff.
How should I prepare, and in what order?
Start with a full practice test to get a baseline and a score report. Use the timing data and diagnostics to identify your weakest section, work through skill-building material there, then return to timed full-length practice. E3n notes the free guides are introductions to the test, not strategy books, and do not guarantee any outcome.
What free preparation comes with registration?
All ISEE registrants get a free Test Innovators preparation option that includes a practice test and personalized feedback. E3n also offers free online sample tests for each level and free downloadable "What to Expect on the ISEE" guides containing a paper practice test and an explanation of how the test is scored and used.
Does a fee waiver cover preparation materials?
Yes. E3n states that students with a fee waiver receive free access to all Test Innovators ISEE materials, including multiple practice tests, personalized feedback, and additional practice questions. Enter the waiver when you register for the ISEE to receive access to the most extensive preparation package.
What causes most score losses on test day?
Pacing and anxiety rather than unknown content. Students who have never sat a full timed test often run out of time in later sections or lose focus after a hard question. Practicing with timing analysis and rehearsing how to skip and return to items addresses most of this before test day.
Where can I get help with registration or my account?
E3n maintains a Help Center for account and service questions, plus ISEE-specific support contacts and alerts for closures or postponements. Note that ISEE uses a separate parent account from the SSAT, SAO, and Character Skills Snapshot, so an existing login on one service will not work on the other.