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Test Prep Guide for ISEE and SSAT

Aug 13, 2025

Overview

This workshop provides a comprehensive guide for parents and students preparing for the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) and SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test), covering test structures, timelines, preparation strategies, and admissions insights.

About Smart City Kids and Tutors

  • Smart City Kids offers educational consulting for admissions from nursery to boarding school.
  • Smart City Tutors provides academic, test prep, and executive functioning support with personalized programs.

ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam)

  • The ISEE is a 2.5-hour test with five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Math Achievement, and an unscored Essay.
  • Verbal Reasoning: 40 questions in 20 minutes (synonyms, single/double blank completion).
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 37 questions in 35 minutes (focus on critical thinking and word problems).
  • Reading Comprehension: 36 questions, 6 passages in 35 minutes (main idea, detail, inference).
  • Math Achievement: 47 questions in 40 minutes (broader math topics, includes geometry, algebra, simple trigonometry; no calculators).
  • Essay: Unscored but sent to schools; focus on quality, organization, and answering the prompt.
  • Scoring: Percentiles converted to stanines (1-9), most students score between 4 and 6.
  • Test can be taken once per season (fall, winter, spring); recommend tests in October and December.

SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test)

  • The SSAT is a 2.5-hour test with five scored sections and one unscored experimental section.
  • Verbal: 60 questions in 30 min (30 synonyms, 30 analogies; more strategy based).
  • Reading: 40 questions, 7 passages in 40 min (includes literary, poetry, figurative language).
  • Quantitative: Two sections, both 25 questions in 30 min each, averaged for total math score.
  • Writing Sample: 25 minutes, choose between a persuasive or creative prompt; unscored but sent to schools.
  • Experimental Section: 15 min, does not affect score.
  • Five answer choices per question, with a ¼-point penalty for wrong answers.
  • Can be taken multiple times a year, more flexible scheduling than ISEE.

Key Differences: ISEE vs. SSAT

  • ISEE: 4 answer choices; no guessing penalty; direct, non-fiction essays.
  • SSAT: 5 answer choices; guessing penalty; creative and persuasive writing options.
  • ISEE can only be taken once per season; SSAT can be taken several times.
  • ISEE covers broader math content; SSAT is more critical thinking-focused in math.
  • SSAT provides a copy of the essay back to families; ISEE does not.

Admissions Use and Test Optional Policies

  • Test scores are only one component of the application, mainly used as benchmarks.
  • Some schools are test optional; follow instructions on whether to submit scores.
  • Boarding schools tend to prefer SSAT; day schools may prefer ISEE, but both are accepted.
  • Merit scholarships at boarding schools may be informed by strong SSAT scores.

Specialized High Schools & SHSAT

  • NYC specialized high schools require the SHSAT, which includes ELA and math sections, offered once per year.
  • Requires separate preparation; content overlaps partially with ISEE and SSAT.
  • Admission is fully test-based; rankings and cutoffs vary by school.

Recommended Preparation Timeline

  • Take a diagnostic test early to assess starting level.
  • First official test recommended in Sept/Oct, second in Dec.
  • Use summer for prep, especially before camp or travel.
  • Study gradually; avoid cramming due to the breadth of new content.

Study Options & Materials

  • Private and small group tutoring available; group and self-study work for motivated students.
  • Suggested materials include Tutorverse workbooks and Test Innovators online platform.
  • Practice tests and diagnostic assessments help identify strengths and areas of focus.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • ISEE — Independent School Entrance Exam, entrance test for private schools.
  • SSAT — Secondary School Admission Test, another private school entrance exam.
  • Stanine — A standardized score from 1 to 9 indicating percentile ranking.
  • SHSAT — Specialized High Schools Admissions Test, for NYC specialized high schools.
  • Percentile — Percentage rank comparing performance to other test-takers.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Schedule and take a diagnostic test (in-office, virtual, or self-guided).
  • Plan your test prep timeline around school and summer plans.
  • Decide on tutoring, group classes, or independent study based on student needs.
  • Contact Smart City for a consultation or to set up a Test Innovators account.
  • Review each school's admissions and test submission policies before applying.

Full transcript