1. Begin Studying Early

Like any other exam, the ISEE requires diligent and steady practice to master. The best way to prepare your child is to begin early. Studies have consistently shown that it's important to begin studying well in advance and not to cram. To begin, you should read What to Expect on the ISEE, a free guide issued by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) which administers the exam. After this, you should begin working with your student at home or enroll them in professional ISEE test preparation. Don't leave preparation to the last moment!

2. Know What's on the Test in Advance

Standardized tests like the ISEE, with all the pressure and constraints they place upon the test-taker, are challenging. Why not make it easier by knowing what's going to be on the test in advance? There are five sections on the ISEE: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement, and an essay. Each section has a limited scope which is outlined in the ERB's What to Expect on the ISEE. By knowing what material is covered on the exam, you can help your student focus their study to do their best on the ISEE. If your child needs help with specific topics, you should consider seeking professional test preparation, preferably a company which specializes in the ISEE, to help make the most of your child's educational opportunities.

3. Don't Study Above Your Level

There are three levels of tests which comprise the ISEE-lower, middle, and upper. Which one your student takes depends on the grade they're entering. Prospective fifth and sixth graders take the lower level; students entering seventh and eighth grade take the middle level; finally, students seeking admission to high school (ninth through twelfth grades) take the upper level test. Parents might be tempted to help their students for a test above their level, in hopes that the content covered on the lower tests will be superseded by the more difficult material. Unfortunately, this isn't always true. According to the ERB, who administers the test, it's best to prepare for your own test level.

4. Take Practice Tests

While studying the material on the test is an essential part of any preparation program, students must also be ready for the restrictions and time limits the ISEE imposes upon test-takers. Many test-takers face difficulty when timed or under pressure. The best way to mitigate anxiety and nervousness is to become comfortable with the structure of the test by taking many practice exams which reflect the structure of the real test-timed, without calculators, etc. Professional ISEE test preparation can be very helpful in this regard. Often, they have written additional practice exams and will administer them to your student in a manner as similar to test day as possible.

5. Practice Writing Essays

Even though the ISEE essay is ungraded, unlike the essay on the SAT, your student's ISEE essay plays a critical role in the admissions process and cannot be neglected. The essay is sent on to the schools the student is applying to, where it is read by admissions committees. It is essential that your student be able to write a mature, coherent, and interesting essay to demonstrate their critical thinking and reasoning abilities, as well as their overall writing mastery. Use practice essay topics from the ERB to start off. If your child more practice, use ISEE test prep programs which offer timed essay practice and review.