This article is sponsored by Test Innovators, which offers advanced online test prep.

Although independent and boarding schools offer families compelling programs and advantages, the admissions process — which can begin a year or more ahead of the entry year — can seem daunting.

One step in the application process is taking standardized admissions exams: the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) and the Secondary School Admissions Exam (SSAT). Most private, independent, and boarding schools require one of these tests for admission. Research your schools to determine which test they accept (some accept both!) and prepare accordingly.

As you go into the preparation process, keep in mind that scores on the ISEE and SSAT do not necessarily correlate with class performance. The ISEE and SSAT measure how students compare to thousands of the top students around the country, and therefore your student’s initial scores may not be as high as you anticipate.

Get started with free sample tests for the ISEE or SSAT now.

What are the levels of each test?

The level of the test a student will take is determined by the grade to which they’re applying. Here’s the breakdown:

Differences Between the ISEE and SSAT

In this section, we focus primarily on the Lower, Middle, and Upper levels of the ISEE and the Middle and Upper levels of the SSAT.

The SSAT and ISEE are similar in many ways: they are both composed of 5 sections that test students’ verbal, reading, quantitative, and writing skills. However, there are a few key differences between the ISEE and SSAT, so if you do have the option of taking either test, it’s helpful to know the differences between the two.

• Score report: The ISEE score report presents four section scores: verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, and mathematics achievement. The SSAT score report presents three section scores: verbal, reading, and quantitative (a score which combines the two quantitative sections). On both the ISEE and SSAT, the raw score is converted into a scaled score to account for variations in difficulty between different tests. On the SSAT, the scaled score is converted into a percentile score, whereas on the ISEE, the primary normative score is a stanine. 
• Guessing strategy: While the Elementary Level SSAT does not have a guessing penalty, the Middle and Upper Level SSAT do: students receive 1 point for each correct answer, 0 points for questions left blank, and lose ¼ point for each wrong answer. The ISEE does not have a guessing penalty: students receive 1 point for each correct answer and 0 points for incorrect answers or questions left blank. 
• Verbal section: Both the ISEE and SSAT ask students to answer synonym questions. In addition to these, the ISEE features sentence completions, while the SSAT has analogy questions. 
• Reading section: The ISEE and SSAT reading passages cover a variety of subjects, with the primary difference being that SSAT includes poetry and older-style literature while the ISEE generally focuses on more contemporary passages.
• Math sections: The ISEE and SSAT both have two math sections. The ISEE has a quantitative reasoning section, which focuses on problem solving and critical thinking questions, and a mathematics achievement section, which has primarily knowledge-based questions. The SSAT has two quantitative sections that are composed of a mix of critical thinking and knowledge-based questions. 
• Writing sample: As part of both the ISEE and the SSAT, students complete an unscored writing sample. This piece of writing is sent to schools along with the scores for the multiple-choice sections of the test, and admissions departments consider it as part of a student’s application.

ISEE

SSAT

How do you decide which test to take?

If you do have the option to take either the ISEE or SSAT, consider taking both. The tests are quite similar in many ways, and preparing for one will largely prepare you for the other. Before testing, it is often difficult to predict the test on which any given student will perform better. In the absence of the ability to take an official test of each, definitely take a practice test of both—the results will help you make an informed decision. 

How is the test administered?

The ISEE and SSAT are administered either on the computer or on paper. Students can take the computer-based SSAT or ISEE at home or at a Prometric center. The paper-based Flex SSAT is offered at some schools and test centers. The ISEE can be taken either on the computer or on paper at some schools and ISEE offices. 

How often can you take the test?

The ISEE can be taken up to three times: once during each testing season. The ISEE seasons are fall (August–November), winter (December–March), and spring/summer (April–July).

The SSAT can be taken up to eight times. The SSAT at Home, offered every Saturday and one Sunday each month, can be taken up to five times. Additionally, the SSAT can be taken twice at a Prometric Site and once at a Flex Site. 

Since students can take the SSAT and the ISEE more than once, it’s a good idea to be strategic about when they first take the test. Don’t sign up for the last available test day before applications are due. Give yourself time so that your child can take the test again if the first test doesn’t go as well as you had hoped.

View registration information and test dates for the SSAT here: EMA

View registration information and test dates for the ISEE here: ERB

How should students prepare for the test?

• Start early –  even six months before the test date. Begin by taking a full-length practice test, which will serve as a diagnostic. (Here’s where to find one for the ISEE and SSAT.) This will give your student exposure to the test’s style, difficulty, and content. Don’t expect your child to know everything right off the bat: the exams are challenging and will often delve into above-grade-level content.
• Pinpoint strengths and weaknesses. Use full-length practice tests to identify areas that need work and focus study on those areas. Learn the relevant concepts and skills, and then apply those through targeted practice.
• Learn test-taking strategies and skills. Being able to manage time efficiently and quickly eliminate wrong answer choices will maximize your child’s performance on test day.
• Read! Reading is the best way to improve reading comprehension and build vocabulary, which are important for the ISEE and SSAT. Reading is a great indirect test preparation activity, and, of course, it benefits students beyond the test itself.

While certainly not the only criteria for admission, the SSAT and ISEE play an important role in creating a more complete picture for school admissions staff, helping to choose between potential students.

The Role of the ISEE and SSAT

The purpose of the ISEE and SSAT is clear: to provide a standardized metric by which to compare students. Other possible metrics, such as grades or teacher evaluations, can vary significantly between schools, making them less suitable for comparison.

While certainly not the only criteria for admission, these exams play an important role in creating a more complete picture for school admissions staff, helping to choose between potential students.

Though standardized tests are only one aspect of a holistic application process, it is important that test scores are high enough to be consistent with the rest of the application and to represent the true capabilities of the student. The importance of scoring well on these exams cannot be understated.

In Summary

Test-taking is a Teachable Skill

Like any performance-based activity, test taking is a skill that can be learned. The ISEE and SSAT are challenging exams that expose test-takers to material and question types that may not have been covered yet in school. Research indicates that beyond content knowledge, test-taking behavior is important for optimum test performance. Exposure and consistent practice have proven to be the most effective method to tame both tough questions and test-related stress.

Understanding Strengths and Weaknesses

To expediently determine how much preparation will be required, take a practice test as early as possible. This diagnostic indicates how the student would score if taking the test today, and provides a practice roadmap, pinpointing strengths and weaknesses. Practice tests give students realistic, data-driven feedback on any knowledge gaps, and where to focus attention and effort.

Check out these free sample tests for the ISEE or SSAT now.

About the authors: Test Innovators has developed cutting-edge technology to foster student learning through the lens of standardized tests. Test Innovators’ web-based tools allow students to practice anytime, anywhere. With personalized learning paths, plenty of practice, and support throughout the process, students find the test preparation process fulfilling rather than stressful.

Test Innovators is the official test prep partner of ERB, publisher of the ISEE. As the only endorsed test prep for the ISEE, Test Innovators provides students with the most accurate test preparation materials to help students gain familiarity with the test, decrease test-related anxiety, and improve in areas of weakness.

Test Innovators is an official test prep partner of EMA, makers of the SSAT. The Test Innovators platform hosts the official SSAT preparation materials to prepare students for the SSAT’s format, timing, and question types.

To date, Test Innovators has helped over 135,000 students reach their potential on the ISEE, SSAT, PSAT, ACT, and SAT. To learn more, visit www.testinnovators.com.