SSAT vs. ISEE - which test is a better fit for your child? Find out the key differences between the two main private/independent school entrance exams: the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) and the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam).
Elementary Level: for students currently in grades 3-4
Middle Level: for students currently in grades 5-7
Upper Level: for students currently in grades 8-11
Primary Level: for students currently in grades 1-3
Lower Level: for students currently in grades 4-5
Middle Level: for students currently in grades 6-7
verbal reasoning, vocabulary, quantitative reasoning, math, reading, and writing skills (unscored writing sample)
synonyms and analogies
Verbal Question Types
synonyms and sentence completions
five-choice multiple-choice questions
Math Question Types
four-choice multiple-choice and quantitative comparison questions (middle and upper levels)
Six sections: 1, 25-minute writing sample; 1, 30-minute verbal section; 2, 30-minute quantitative sections; 1, 40-minute reading section; 1, 15-minute Experimental section (Total of 3 hours and 5 minutes)
The Elementary Level exam only has one quantitative section and lasts for 2 hours, 5 minutes total.
Five sections (lower level): 1, 30-minute writing sample; 1, 20-minute verbal section; 1, 35-minute quantitative section; 1, 25-minute reading section; 1, 30-minute math section (Total of 2 hours and 20 minutes)
Five sections (middle and upper levels): 1, 30-minute writing sample; 1, 20-minute verbal section; 1, 35-minute quantitative section; 1, 35-minute reading section; 1, 40-minute math section (Total of 2 hours and 40 minutes)
yes, you lose 1/4 of a point for incorrect answers
Penalty for Wrong Answers?
no, you do not lose points for incorrect answers
Elementary Level: Scale of 300-600 for Verbal, Quantitative, and Reading; scale of 900-1800 total
Middle Level: Scale of 440-710 for Verbal, Quantitative, and Reading; scale of 1320-2130 total
Upper Level: Scale of 500-800 for Verbal, Quantitative, and Reading; scale of 1500-2400 total
All Levels: Scale of 760-940 for Verbal, Reading, Quantitative, and Math
SSAT percentile rank between 1-99%; rank based on student's performance as compared to the other students in the same grade and of the same gender who have taken the test within the past three years
ISEE percentile rank between 1-99%; rank based on student's performance as compared to the other students in the same grade who have taken the test within the past three years; Stanine score between 1-9
Can choose which set(s) of SSAT scores to submit to schools
Can choose which set(s) of ISEE scores to submit to schools
National Test Dates: Offered 8 times per year in January, February, March, April, June, October, November, December
Flex Test Dates: Flexible, but can only take one Flex Test per year
Regional Flex Test Dates: Set by regional consortia, but can only take one Flex Test per year
Offered on various test dates across the United States throughout the year. Students may register to take the ISEE one time in any or all of three testing seasons. The ISEE testing seasons are defined as Fall (August–November), Winter (December–March), and Spring/Summer (April–July).
StudyPoint is a national leader in one-to-one, in-home test prep and academic tutoring. The test-taking techniques and strategies taught in our SAT tutoring and ACT tutoring programs enable students to earn higher test scores and gain admission to competitive colleges and universities. Our expert subject tutors and personalized lesson plans help students earn better grades and become happier, more confident students. Whether you're looking for a math tutor, or any other type of academic tutoring, StudyPoint can help. To learn about tutoring programs in your area, feel free to contact us for more information.
StudyPoint offers private, in-home SAT, PSAT, ACT & SSAT tutoring. Our staff also includes expert math, science, foreign language, and writing tutors.
Our newsletter is designed to offer you grade- and season- specific information that will help you navigate and stay on top of the college admissions process. We need high school graduation year to provide you with timely, relevant information. You can unsubscribe at any time.
If you'd like to learn more about one of our programs or are ready to enroll your child in tutoring, please contact us. Our Enrollment Consultants are experts in their fields and would be happy to help with recommendations for tutoring programs, courses of study, standardized tests, and admissions support.
Thank you for your interest in our programs!
You can expect one of our Enrollment Directors to be in touch
within one business day.
If you have an urgent
tutoring need, you can
reach out to a member of our staff directly at 1-87STUDYPOINT (1-877-883-9764).
We are certain we can be a resource for you and your family this school year, and we look forward to speaking with
—The StudyPoint Staff
privacy seriously. None of this information will ever be shared or sold.