I have, within my memory, a sort of Museum of Student Joys and Triumphs, and a Museum of Student Suffering and Mistakes. These pieces of writing are reflections on the countless visits to those museums.
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ISEE Test Prep: Using Timed Sets to Refine Strategies and Habits
Timing is one of the biggest challenges students face on the ISEE. Even strong students and problem-solvers can struggle to use their time effectively once the clock starts. And while taking full-length practice tests can help, they’re not always the best way to build this skill or the best use of your study time. The Problem with Full Practice Tests First, there just aren’t that…
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Common Mistakes on the Lower Level ISEE: Median
One of the joys of specializing in the ISEE is that I get to identify patterns in how students interact with specific skills and concepts. After working with hundreds of 4th and 5th graders preparing for the Lower Level ISEE, I can confidently predict some of the most common mistakes, especially in the Quantitative Reasoning and Math Achievement sections. Because so much of the test…
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5 Ways the Lower Level ISEE is So Challenging for Students
For many 4th and 5th graders, the Lower Level ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is the hardest test they’ve ever taken. Parents often ask me, “My child gets A’s and B’s in school—why is this so challenging?” The answer lies in the test’s purpose. The ISEE isn’t designed to reflect standard classroom performance. It’s an admissions tool for competitive schools, which means if high scores…
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4 Ways Parents Can Support their Lower Level ISEE Students in October
October is a pivotal time in the ISEE prep calendar! Many independent schools in the U.S. set January or February as the admissions deadline, so families often schedule their students to take the ISEE twice: first in November, then again in December or January. This makes October the final stretch before students’ first official test date. This time of year also presents its own challenges…
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Is Aiming for the Top Score on the ISEE Counter-Productive?
The top score on the ISEE is a stanine of 9. Naturally, most students and families would love to achieve the prestigious 9. But, can aiming for perfection be counter-productive? I think so. Here’s why. Extreme pressure Scoring a 9 on the ISEE requires near-flawless performance. Missing merely a few questions puts this goal out of reach. This level of accuracy creates unnecessary pressure on…
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Fun Ways to Study ISEE and SSAT Vocabulary
Have you ever noticed that some things stick in your memory forever, while others vanish faster than they arrived? It all comes down to association. Our brains love connecting concepts to our experiences, feelings, and senses. The stronger the connection, the easier we recall information. Some of my favorite study strategies for students preparing for the ISEE and SSAT use association for effective recall. It…
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ISEE and SSAT Reading Comprehension: Speed vs. Understanding
The reading comprehension section of the ISEE and SSAT can be quite a challenge, even for strong readers. Why? The key lies in balancing speed with understanding. Unlike leisurely reading, where you soak in the details, the ISEE demands students read quicker than they may be used to while retaining a few key pieces of information for later. In school or for pleasure, we often…
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Birds in the Classroom: an Ode to Teaching Adolescents
For 5 years, I had the privilege and honor of teaching at the Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii. Nestled in the hills of beautiful Manoa, my classroom buzzed with the delightful energy of 7th graders. Breezes whispered through the windows, framing gorgeous views and frequent rainbows. The scent of plumeria and pikake flowers wafted through the air, a constant reminder of the beauty around us. …
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4 Ways to Use Watermelon Math Study Cards
Words like “integer” and “quotient” aren’t typically known for bringing smiles to students’ faces. But these terms are just a few examples that set the ISEE and SSAT apart from routine school exams. Watermelon Math aims to bring a bit of joy to the test preparation journey for Lower Level ISEE and Middle Level SSAT students. Here are 4 ways to make the most out…
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Earning a top score on the Verbal Reasoning section of the ISEE
Veggies in the Fridge; Vocab on the Fridge Earning a top score on the Verbal Reasoning section of the ISEE With bestsellers like Atomic Habits by James Clear and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey selling millions of copies, it’s apparent that we humans have an appetite for improving our habits. Yet, despite our best intentions, bridging the gap between knowing…
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Taking the ISEE or SSAT in London
London, England has a vibrant international community, which is home to over 90,000 Americans. For nearly a decade, I was one of them! While it might be tempting to think that American and British cultures are similar, those of us who have spent time living among both cultures can tell you that there are countless differences. The cultural differences between the US and the UK…
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When to start preparing for the ISEE or SSAT? 6 reasons why Spring and Summer are best.
After more than 12 years working closely with students preparing for the ISEE or SSAT exams, there’s something I see year in and year out: while some proactive families start their preparation in the spring or summer, a large number of families tend to put it off until fall. The admissions deadline for most independent schools is in January so families typically schedule the exams…
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ISEE Lower Level Test Prep: 5 Key Math Concepts
The Independent School Entrance Exam, or ISEE, is a test your child may need to take when applying to independent schools in the US. The lower level entrance exam is for students entering grades 5 and 6. To maximize test scores, your student should begin preparing for the lower level ISEE in the spring and summer to be fully prepared for testing in the fall…
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8 Great, Colorful, and Kinesthetic Ways to Tackle the Times Tables
It’s not news that children need to master their math facts, whether they’re preparing for a high-stakes test or simply building a solid foundation for future math success. If your children will be taking the ISEE or SSAT, it’s especially critical that they know their times tables instantaneously, as the timing of both exams is designed to be spent on problem solving, not calculations. Indeed,…
