ISEE Lower Level Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Lower Level ISEE?
2. Who creates the ISEE Lower Level?
3. When is the Lower Level ISEE given?
   
4. When should I register for the Lower Level ISEE?
   
5. How do I register?
   
6. How much does it cost to take the Lower Level ISEE?
   
7. How long does it take to get my scores back?
   
8. How many times can I take the Lower Level ISEE?
   
9. What is a good score on the Lower Level ISEE?
   
10. When should I start preparing for the Lower Level ISEE?
    

1.  What is the Lower Level ISEE?
   The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) Lower Level Exam is for students currently in grades 4 or 5 who are applying for admission to grades 5 or 6.
   
   The test is used by prestigious private middle schools and boarding schools to help determine a student's admission qualifications. The test has five sections, including Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement and an Essay. A copy of the essay is sent to each school you are applying to, however it does not factor into the overall test score.
   
   Keep in mind that many private schools have more openings for admission at "natural" entrance points- i.e. grades 6 and 9- than for the intervening grades. If your student was not accepted for grade 5, it may be useful to apply again to grade 6.
   
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2. Who creates the ISEE Lower Level?
   The ISEE Lower Level Exam was constructed to meet the specifications of a national committee of independent school faculty, and was developed for the Educational Records Bureau by the Educational Testing Service.
   
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3. When is the Lower Level ISEE given?
   The ISEE is offered in over thirty cities across the country. For test dates in your area, visit https://www.erblearn.org/parents/isee-overview.
    
4. When should I register for the Lower Level ISEE?
   Regular registration deadlines are three weeks before each test date. Late registration (phone or fax only) deadlines are two weeks prior to each exam date. You may want to register at least 6 - 8 weeks ahead of time to avoid late charges and ensure that you can take the ISEE at your nearest test center.
   
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5. How do I register?
   Register one of four ways:
       Mail: The paper registration form can be found in the center of the student guide between pages 26 and 27 inside the envelope. Contact iseeremote@erbtest.org to have a Student Guide mailed to you.
       Phone: Call 1-800-446-0320 (there is an additional $20 phone registration fee, payable by credit card only)
       Fax: Contact iseeremote@erbtest.org to have a Student Guide mailed to you, then get the fax registration form from the ISEE Student Guide and send it to 919-682-5775 (there is an additional $20 fax registration fee, payable by credit card only)
       Online: Go to www.iseetest.org
   
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6. How much does it cost to take Lower Mid Level ISEE?
   
   

   Registration Method	Cost
   Mail	$75
   Online	$78
   Phone or Fax	$98
   Late Registration (less than 3 weeks prior to test date)	$95

   
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7. How long does it take to get my scores back?
   You should receive a coup of your Individual Score Report (ISR) within two weeks after your test date. Your selected schools will also receive a copy of the report
   
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8. How many times can I take the Lower Level ISEE?
   You may only take the ISEE once in a six-month period. Practice test are not allowed- you must make a formal application to a school for each administration of the test.
   
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9. What is a good score on the Lower Level ISEE?
   A good score is one that will get you into the school of your choice, so the answer depends on which school you want to attend. While there is not a "passing" score for the ISEE, it is important to know what the average score is for students admitted to your preferred schools. You may want to consult one or more of these reference websites for private schools with contact information so you can find out the average score of students accepted.
       www.educationplanner.com
       www.boardingschoolreview.com
       www.allprivateschools.org
   
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10. When should I start preparing for the Lower Level ISEE?
    It is best to start preparing as early as you are able. This allows maximum time to attain your score goals.
    
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