Need-to-Know ISEE Tips and Strategies
General
- Relax the night before the test
Don't cram. Studying at the last minute will only stress you out. Go to a movie or hang out with a friend - anything to get your mind off of the test!
Test Specific
- Synonyms
The directions tell you to choose the best answer. The correct answer won't necessarily be a perfect fit, but it will work better than the other choices. - Sentence Completions
Don't look at the choices until you've read the sentence and tried to guess what the missing word or words should be. Then scan the answers, looking for the one that means the same as your guess. - Reading Comprehension
Complete one passage at a time. Answer all the questions for the passage you have just read before moving to another passage. There is no time to go back and read again. - Math Multiple-Choice
Look for shortcuts. Math problems test your math reasoning, not your ability to make endless calculations. If you find yourself calculating too much, you've probably missed a shortcut that would have made your work easier. - Quantitative Comparisons
Variables stay constant. Sound strange? Here's what we mean: A variable that appears in both columns will always have the same meaning in each column. - Essay
Your first draft is your only draft. There is no time to rewrite it, so organize your thoughts before you begin writing by creating an outline.
