Independent School Admissions · ISEE
Comprehensive ISEE preparation with personalized one-on-one instruction by Mr. Sharma.
The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) is published by the ERB and used for admission to thousands of independent schools. Mr. Sharma specializes in Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics Achievement, with full preparation across every section.
Book a Free ConsultationExam Snapshot
The numbers, levels, and format every ISEE family should know before beginning preparation.
Section 01
The ISEE is offered at four levels matched to a student's current grade. The Primary Level is entirely online; the Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels share the same five-section structure with content scaled by grade.
Score Scale
Stanine 1–9 per section
Core Time
≈ 2 hr 40 min
Calculator
Not permitted
Guessing
No penalty — answer all
Section 02 · Verbal Reasoning
Synonyms and Sentence Completions measuring vocabulary depth and the ability to use context to determine meaning.
Duration
20 minutes
Questions
34 (Lower) · 40 (Mid/Upper)
Types
Synonyms + Sentence Completions
Stem word with four answer choices. Students rely on roots, prefixes, and the precise shade of meaning to distinguish near-synonyms.
Single- and double-blank sentences. Mr. Sharma teaches students to predict the missing word before looking at choices.
Section 03 · Quantitative Reasoning · Our Specialty
Less arithmetic-heavy than Mathematics Achievement, more focused on logic, estimation, comparisons, and reasoning about numbers and figures.
Duration
35 minutes
Questions
38 (Lower) · 37 (Mid/Upper)
Calculator
Not permitted
Reasoning
Quantitative Comparisons (Mid/Upper only)
Number Concepts
Algebra
Plane Geometry
Measurement
Coordinate Geometry
Statistics
Data Displays
Probability
Section 04 · Reading Comprehension
Six short passages of varying genres with questions on main idea, supporting detail, inference, vocabulary, organization, and tone.
Duration
25 (Lower) · 35 (Mid/Upper) min
Questions
25 (Lower) · 36 (Mid/Upper)
Passages
5–6
Humanities, social studies, science, contemporary life. Passages are short but information-dense, often containing one paragraph of central argument followed by elaboration.
Main idea, supporting ideas, inference, vocabulary in context, organization/logic, and tone/style. Each passage has a balanced mix.
Tag each paragraph with a 2-3 word note in the margin. The notes form a roadmap to find answer evidence quickly.
About 6 minutes per passage on the Upper Level. Skim, mark structure, then attack questions in the order they appear.
Section 05 · Mathematics Achievement · Our Specialty
A direct content section closely aligned with grade-level math standards (NCTM). The five strands below appear on every Lower, Middle, and Upper Level test.
Duration
30 (Lower) · 40 (Mid/Upper) min
Questions
30 (Lower) · 47 (Mid/Upper)
Calculator
Not permitted
Operations
Number Theory
Ratios
Equations & Inequalities
Functions
Polynomials (Upper)
Plane Geometry
Coordinate Geometry
Solid Geometry
Units
Applications
Statistics
Data Displays
Probability
Section 06 · Essay
An unscored 30-minute prompt at the end of the test. Schools receive an unedited copy of the student's response.
Open-ended, age-appropriate prompts asking about experiences, opinions, or hypothetical situations. Lower Level is shorter; Upper Level expects a more developed response.
A clear introduction with thesis, two to three body paragraphs with specific examples, and a concluding sentence that ties the argument together.
Organized thinking, specific personal detail, varied sentence structure, and grade-appropriate vocabulary and mechanics.
Five minutes to outline, twenty to write, five to revise. Skipping the outline is the most common cause of disorganized essays.
Section 07 · Skills Tested
The reasoning skills the ISEE measures across all five sections.
Section 08
The ISEE measures developed verbal and quantitative reasoning. These are the underlying skills strong test-takers bring to every section.
Precise word meaning, secondary definitions, and connotation across humanities and science vocabulary.
Quick, accurate calculation with fractions, decimals, and percents without a calculator.
Estimation, number sense, and quantitative comparisons rather than pure calculation.
Extracting main idea, supporting evidence, and inference from short, dense passages.
Translating word problems into equations or diagrams under tight time limits.
Reasoning about triangles, polygons, circles, and three-dimensional figures.
Reading tables, bar/line/pie charts, scatter plots, and histograms precisely.
Managing five sections in a 2-hour 40-minute window with no calculator.
Producing a coherent 30-minute essay that admissions officers will read.
Section 09
The patterns Mr. Sharma sees most often on the ISEE — and how each one is addressed during tutoring.
Section 10
A six-step path from diagnostic to test day, used with every ISEE student.
A full-length diagnostic establishes the student's true starting point across every tested area.
Results are mapped to specific subtopics — not just section scores — so the plan targets the right work.
Underlying content is rebuilt where needed so test strategies have something solid to stand on.
Curated, exam-aligned problems are worked through together on the digital whiteboard.
Pacing, elimination, and figure-reading techniques tuned to this exam's format.
Regular timed practice tests turn preparation into performance — and reveal exactly what to refine next.
Section 11
What families consistently point to when describing preparing for the ISEE with Mr. Sharma.
Decades of one-on-one and classroom instruction across every level of mathematics and science.
Every session is built around the student in front of the camera — never a group class.
Students learn why the material works, not just which button to press.
Live, written, step-by-step instruction that mirrors a real classroom whiteboard.
Assignments written for the student's plan — never generic worksheets.
Clear, ongoing measurement so families see exactly where their student stands.
Sessions fit around school, sports, and family life — anywhere in the country.
Questions are welcomed, not rushed. Students learn to think out loud.
Every lesson connects back to how the concept actually appears on the exam.
Section 12
Topics in the STEM Library and other exams that complement ISEE preparation. The same Algebra and Geometry foundations carry directly into the SAT, ACT, and AP exams.
Linear equations, inequalities, functions, and systems.
Explore STEM LibraryReasoning through shape, proof, congruence, and measurement.
Explore STEM LibraryPolynomials, exponentials, logarithms, and complex numbers.
Explore STEM LibraryCounting, distributions, and the language of chance.
Explore Test PrepIndependent school admissions: quantitative, verbal, reading.
Explore Test PrepSAT Math tutoring with full Digital SAT context.
Explore Test PrepACT Math and Science tutoring with full ACT context.
Explore Test PrepMath and science Regents examinations.
ExploreSection 13
The questions parents and students ask most often about this exam and how Mr. Sharma prepares his students.
Advanced STEM Library
Downloadable formula sheets, study guides, and reference materials for ISEE Mathematics & Verbal Tutoring — curated by Mr. Sharma and continuously expanded as part of the Advanced STEM Library.
Every formula, identity, and relationship a student needs for ISEE Mathematics & Verbal Tutoring — organized by topic and printable in one page.
Publishing shortlyA structured written companion covering the core content areas tested on ISEE Mathematics & Verbal Tutoring, section by section.
Publishing shortlyConcise topic-by-topic reviews with worked examples — designed to be re-read the week before test day.
Publishing shortlyFour-, eight-, twelve-, and sixteen-week study calendars aligned to a student's timeline and current level.
Publishing shortlyThe specific errors that quietly cost points on this exam — with the fix Mr. Sharma teaches for each.
Publishing shortlyA curated set of exam-aligned practice questions targeting the highest-yield subtopics.
Publishing shortlyThe Advanced STEM Library
Every resource on this page will live in the Advanced STEM Library — a single, expanding home for the formula sheets, study guides, topic reviews, encyclopedia entries, practice plans, and reference materials Mr. Sharma uses with his own students.
Open the Advanced STEM LibraryReady When You Are
Whether your student is targeting a specific independent school or strengthening admissions options, Mr. Sharma provides personalized ISEE instruction tailored to level, goals, and current preparation.
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The strategy session is the first step of working together — a focused academic planning and diagnostic conversation used to understand the student before any ongoing academic support begins.
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