The Anatomy of the ISEE
The ISEE is a standardized test administered over a three-hour period. The test consists of four multiple choice sections and one essay section. The essay is not included in your test score, but a copy is sent to the schools you request to receive your scores. While the test structure is fairly similar across the three test levels, the types of questions used on the upper levels are more challenging than those used for the lower levels.
ISEE Lower Level Exam
| Verbal Reasoning |
34 questions |
20 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning |
38 questions |
35 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension |
25 questions |
25 minutes |
| Math Achievement |
30 questions |
30 minutes |
| Essay |
1 prompt (unscored) |
30 minutes |
| 2 hours and 20 minutes |
ISEE Middle Level Exam
| Verbal Reasoning |
40 questions |
20 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning |
37 questions |
35 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension |
36 questions |
35 minutes |
| Math Achievement |
47 questions |
40 minutes |
| Essay |
1 prompt (unscored) |
30 minutes |
| 2 hours and 40 minutes |
ISEE Upper Level Exam
| Verbal Reasoning |
40 questions |
20 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning |
37 questions |
35 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension |
36 questions |
35 minutes |
| Math Achievement |
47 questions |
40 minutes |
| Essay |
1 prompt (unscored) |
30 minutes |
| 2 hours and 40 minutes |
