ISEE Upper Level case studies

ISEE Upper Level · Put your knowledge to work in context.

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. The ISEE Upper Level case studies are 5 cases and about 2,640 words.

Two-Blank Sentence Completion: The Overreaching Author

While reviewing a practice set she built from scratch, Maya, an ISEE Upper Level candidate, pauses on a two-blank sentence completion item: 'Although the evidence was , the author's conclusion was , going far beyond what the data could support.' The five options are (A) flimsy … cautious, (B) sparse … sweeping, (C) robust … modest, (D) ambiguous … tentative, (E) voluminous … restrained. Maya first favors (A) because 'flimsy' sounds like a serious weakness, but then she rereads the final phrase 'going far beyond what the data could support.' She remembers that the two blanks must fit the logical signal at the start and the descriptive clue at the end.

531 words, about 3 min 2

Quantitative Comparison with a Variable Between 0 and 1

Priya is working on a Quantitative Reasoning section and encounters a quantitative comparison item: Quantity A is x^2; Quantity B is x; the given condition is 0 < x < 1. She tests x = 1/2: Quantity A = 1/4, Quantity B = 1/2, so B is larger.

540 words, about 3 min 3

Inference and Caution in a Library Passage

Read this original passage, then answer the questions that follow. 'When the Crestview library eliminated overdue fines, the director expected a modest rise in borrowing.

518 words, about 3 min 4

A Contradiction in a Linear Equation

Leo is solving a linear equation on the Mathematics Achievement section: 3(x - 4) = 5x + 2 - 2(x + 3). He distributes the left side to get 3x - 12.

560 words, about 3 min 5

Synonym in Context: 'Measured' Pacing

Aisha is working on a synonym question in the Verbal Reasoning section. The sentence reads: 'The critic described the director's pacing as measured, neither rushed nor sluggish.' The question asks for the word that is closest in meaning to 'measured' as used in the sentence.

491 words, about 2 min