Trying to figure out an ISEE score

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son just received test results back from the middle level ISEE exam. He is in 6th now and applying for 7th (to a school outside the DC area if that matters - we use to live in DC but moved a few years ago and I still often use these boards for reference ). He received 7s for all 4 sections. I think this is a strong score but my type A husband is worried that it’s not enough. For those that have kids that have taken the middle level ISEE - do you think a 7 meets the bar for an elite prep school admission?

Ps. We are so proud of our son and the work he put into studying for the exam. He will be proud of him in any and all cases but just trying to put the score in the right perspective for my husband who worries a lot.

We moved from DC to NYC a few years back with a DS entering 6th. We were advised that schools on our radar would want to sees 8s and 9s. DS sat for December ISEE and ended up with 6 7 8 9. He missed moving the 6 to a 7 by one point. DS admitted to top choice - think it was helpful that he had at least one 8 and one 9.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in NYC. 7s are perhaps just meeting the bar according to our advisors. Many schools are looking for 8s and 9s.

My daughter also just received her results. Her scores are not where they need to be (again, according to guiding wisdom). She will be retaking I’m December.

Ps. We too are proud of her efforts and would be no matter what. When we shared her results with her, we were sure to remind her that ISEE scores are just one aspect of her application. She made the choice to retake the exam in December.

This process sucks.

For 5th grade ISEE, trying to figure out if a child got 5(verbal), 8, 8, 8 needs to take it again in Dec. My child is bilingual so less likely to improve the verbal anytime soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in NYC. 7s are perhaps just meeting the bar according to our advisors. Many schools are looking for 8s and 9s.

My daughter also just received her results. Her scores are not where they need to be (again, according to guiding wisdom). She will be retaking I’m December.

Ps. We too are proud of her efforts and would be no matter what. When we shared her results with her, we were sure to remind her that ISEE scores are just one aspect of her application. She made the choice to retake the exam in December.

This process sucks.

For 5th grade ISEE, trying to figure out if a child got 5(verbal), 8, 8, 8 needs to take it again in Dec. My child is bilingual so less likely to improve the verbal anytime soon.

The 8s are very strong and the 5 is ok, especially if English is a second language. If you don’t expect the 5 to improve, no point in retaking.