Overview of the Scores of ISEE

5 Important Points about ISEE Scores

The Educational Records Bureau (ERB) has created certain tools for assessment which are accepted by all private schools of the US during their admission process. The Independent School Entrance Exam or ISEE is one such standardized assessment tool designed to measure student skills before they join a certain grade level. This exam was created so that the results can help ensure that each grade has students with similar learning capabilities.

ISEE Test- A Brief Overview:

The ISEE is conducted for students from grade 4 to grade 12 and has three levels i.e. Lower Level, Middle Level, and Upper Level. This test is available in both paper and computer based formats for all the levels. The parents/guardians have to register for this test online, which can be done at http://erblearn.org/parents/admission/isee/registration.

This is a competency exam and has questions based on Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Mathematics and Essay Writing. You can refer to the table below for details about the time duration and number of test questions for each level:

Alongside, you can visit http://erblearn.org/uploads/media_items/isee-test-sections-and-timing.original.pdf to get detailed information about the  test questions for all levels.

Understanding the ISEE Score patterns in 5 Points:

1. Individual Score Report (ISR):

   There is no negative marking for the test. After a student takes the test, he or she would receive an extensive performance report which is called the Individual Score Report (ISR). The scores do not include the evaluation of the essay. The essays written by students are photocopied and sent to the schools mentioned by the students during registration and are evaluated by school faculties or counselors. The scores are marked on a scale of 760-940.

2. Norm Ranking for Students:

   Along with the score report, a separate percentile ranking is mentioned in the ISR based on the performance of the student in his or her norm group. Every norm group involves students who have taken the test for the same level in the past 3 years.

   For example, suppose your child has 53% as the norm ranking. This would mean that he or she has performed better than 53% of the students who have appeared for the ISEE  in the past three years for that particular test level. Hence, this ranking is independent.

   However, this ranking is often misinterpreted as the performance of a student on the test. Hence, it is important to understand these terms beforehand. Since this is a competency test, this ranking is required by school administrations to assess the student’s application and get an overview of his/her potential.

3. Competency Identification Through ISR:

   The percentile ranking is done on the basis of the results received from a detailed analysis of the scores. In the ISR, there are nine parameters through which a student’s potential and learning capability is assessed. These percentiles are called “stanines” and are used as a screening tool by schools during the admission process. These outline a brief overview of the student’s strengths and weaknesses. Thus, based on these parameters the candidates are segregated in nine different groups.

4. Admission through ISEE:

   The schools receive the ISR along with a copy of the student’s essay through mail after 7-10 days from the date of the ISEE test. Moreover, you can send the score  reports to 6 different schools, free of cost, through ERB. However, the students would be required to mention the details of their preferred schools for admission during the time of registration.

5. Parents’ Copy of the ISR:

   Additionally, parents would receive a detailed copy of the score report separately along with instructions for score interpretation. In case the students or parents wish to send this ISR to more schools, then they can do so through ERB for an additional fee.

You can visit http://erblearn.org/parents/admission/isee/scoring-and-interpreting and know more about the scoring process. It is important to be informed and register early so that the students can have the advantage to apply to good schools and brighten their future.