ISEE tutoring for New York City families
Most New York City independent schools accept the ISEE, and fall is testing season for next year's entry. Our tutors teach each section's question types and pacing, then run timed practice so test day feels routine.
One-to-one from $20 a class ยท billed in USD
New York City - online 1-to-1
What every programme includes
- โ Verbal Reasoning: synonyms and sentence completion
- โ Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics Achievement
- โ Reading Comprehension under time pressure
- โ The essay, which schools read even though it is not scored
- โ Lower, Middle and Upper Level preparation
- โ Eastern-time after-school and weekend slots
Lesson times in your time zone
Weekdays 3pm-9pm after school ยท Weekends 8am-8pm, your local time. Pick the slot when you book.
How the ISEE works
The ISEE has three main levels: Lower Level for entry to grades 5 and 6, Middle Level for grades 7 and 8, and Upper Level for grades 9 to 12. Each has four scored sections, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Achievement, plus an essay that is sent to schools but not scored.
At Upper Level, Verbal Reasoning is 40 questions in 20 minutes, Quantitative Reasoning 37 in 35 minutes, Reading Comprehension 36 in 35 minutes, Mathematics Achievement 47 in 40 minutes, and the essay 30 minutes.
One test per season
Students can take the ISEE up to three times in a 12-month admission cycle, once in each testing season: fall (August to November), winter (December to March) and spring/summer (April to July). For NYC families applying in the fall, that usually means one fall sitting with the option of a second attempt in winter.
Where ISEE points are lost
Practice tests show the same patterns:
- โ Running out of time on Verbal Reasoning, the fastest section
- โ Quantitative Reasoning questions that need estimation rather than calculation
- โ Math Achievement topics a year ahead of school
- โ Reading answers chosen from memory rather than the passage
- โ An essay written without a plan
ISEE Upper Level sections
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 37 | 35 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension | 36 | 35 minutes |
| Mathematics Achievement | 47 | 40 minutes |
| Essay (unscored) | 1 prompt | 30 minutes |
A 10-week ISEE plan
- 1
Week 1
A full practice test at the right level to find the weakest section.
- 2
Weeks 2-5
Vocabulary, quantitative comparison and math content gaps.
- 3
Weeks 6-8
Timed sections and reading strategy.
- 4
Weeks 9-10
Two full practice tests and essay practice.
Tutors for this programme
Stephen Mc Cormack
PGCE Primary(3-11), Cardiff Metropolitan University
15 yrs experience
AP ยท IB ยท SAT
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Muhammad Mahmood Aslam Bhutta
PhD-qualified Mechanical Engineer, Graz University of technology, Graz , Austria
25 yrs experience
US school
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Abdi Musa
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, University of Washington Bothell
4 yrs experience
GCSE / A-Level (UK)
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What tutoring costs in the USA
Independent SAT and test-prep tutors in the US
$45-150 an hour
Source: Private Prep: how much SAT tutoring costs, 2026EagleTeach, one-to-one online
From $20 a class
Billed in USD, converted at an approximate rate. Two free demo classes first.
Common questions
How many times can my child take the ISEE?๏ผ
Up to three times in a 12-month cycle, once per testing season (fall, winter and spring/summer).
Which ISEE level should my child take?๏ผ
Lower Level for entry to grades 5-6, Middle Level for grades 7-8, Upper Level for grades 9-12.
Is the ISEE essay scored?๏ผ
No, but it is sent to schools, which read it as a writing sample.
ISEE or SSAT?๏ผ
Check which tests your target schools accept; many NYC independent schools take either. A practice test of each shows which suits your child.
How long should ISEE prep take?๏ผ
Most students prepare for 8 to 12 weeks with one or two sessions a week.
Are sessions in Eastern time?๏ผ
Yes, after school and at weekends.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 2026-10-02.
Helpful guides
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