SSAT/ISEE tutoring for independent school admissions.
Personalized preparation designed around your child’s strengths, confidence, testing needs, and independent school admissions timeline.
One-on-one tutoring
Expert guidance
Available worldwide
What Makes This Different
Personalized preparation that builds skills, strategy, and confidence.
For many younger students, the SSAT or ISEE is their first consequential standardized test. Your tutor begins by reviewing your child’s skills, experience, and goals, then builds a customized plan so they approach test day prepared and confident.
Our tutors support students across all levels of the SSAT and ISEE, with targeted instruction in quantitative skills, verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, and writing, as well as test-specific strategies.
Because the two exams differ in format, scoring, and approach, your tutor can also help determine which test may be the better fit for your child and tailor preparation accordingly.
For families working with a Top Tier Admissions counselor, tutoring is coordinated with the broader independent school admissions process, ensuring that testing supports your child’s overall application strategy.
Expert Across All Three Levels
Our tutors understand how the Elementary, Middle, and Upper Level SSAT differ and tailor preparation to the test your child will take.
Preparation for Every Section S
Students prepare for the quantitative, verbal, and reading sections, as well as the writing sample shared with schools.
Skills and Confidence
Familiarity, practice, and encouraging one-on-one instruction help students approach test day feeling prepared and confident.
Comprehensive preparation for every part of the SSAT/ISEE.
The SSAT and ISEE differ in format, content, scoring, and strategy, but both reward strong foundational skills, familiarity with the test, and confidence on exam day. Our tutors tailor preparation to the specific exam and level your child is taking, as well as their strengths, needs, and admissions timeline.
- All SSAT and ISEE levels: Preparation tailored to your child’s specific test and level, with tutors who understand the content, pacing, scoring, and expectations of each exam.
- Verbal Reasoning: Build vocabulary and strengthen the reasoning skills needed to tackle the verbal sections of the SSAT and ISEE, including synonyms and analogies on the SSAT and synonyms and sentence completions on the ISEE.
- Quantitative & Math: Strengthen the arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and problem-solving skills tested on each exam, with strategies tailored to the question types and format your child will encounter.
- Reading Comprehension: Learn to read actively, identify key information, analyze passages, and answer questions accurately while managing time effectively.
- The Writing Sample: Although not scored, the writing sample is sent to schools. We help your child understand the prompt, organize their ideas, and write a thoughtful, polished response within the allotted time.
- Test-Specific Strategy: From pacing and time management to guessing strategies and navigating unfamiliar question types, your child learns how to approach their particular exam with confidence.
- The Character Skills Snapshot: If this separate assessment is part of your child’s independent school application process, we can explain what to expect and how it fits into the broader admissions picture.
Common Questions
The answers, honestly.
Still have questions? A quick conversation is often the fastest way to find the clarity you need.
What is the difference between the SSAT and the ISEE?
The SSAT and ISEE are both admissions tests for private middle and high schools, but they differ in content, scoring and retake rules. The SSAT puts more weight on verbal skills like synonyms and analogies, and it penalizes wrong answers. The ISEE puts more weight on math, has no guessing penalty, and can only be taken once per testing season.
Which schools require the SSAT and which require the ISEE?
It depends on the school. Many boarding schools prefer the SSAT, while many independent day schools, especially in large cities, prefer the ISEE. Many private schools accept either one, so families should check each school’s admissions requirements before registering.
How are the SSAT and ISEE scored?
The SSAT Upper Level is scored from 500 to 800 per section, with a total from 1500 to 2400. The ISEE reports scaled scores and stanines from 1 to 9. Both tests compare students to other private school applicants, not to all students nationally, so percentiles tend to be lower than on school tests.
Do you help with the writing sample and the Character Skills Snapshot?
Yes. Both the SSAT and ISEE include an unscored writing sample that is shared with schools, so your tutor can help your child understand what to expect and approach the writing portion with confidence.
If your child’s schools also use the separate Character Skills Snapshot, your tutor can explain what it measures, how it fits into the admissions process, and what your child can expect.
When should students start preparing for the SSAT or ISEE?
Most students start preparing 3 to 6 months before their first test date. For fall applications, that usually means starting in spring or early summer. Starting early leaves time for a retake, which matters especially for the ISEE since students only get one attempt per season.
What are the SSAT levels?
The SSAT is offered at three levels: Elementary (grades 3–4), Middle (grades 5–7), and Upper (grades 8–11). Students typically take the exam that corresponds to their current grade level, and our tutors tailor preparation to the content, pacing, and expectations of each version.
Is there a penalty for guessing?
It depends on the level of the SSAT. The Middle and Upper Level exams include a small deduction for incorrect answers, so students learn when an educated guess is worthwhile and when it’s better to skip a question. The Elementary Level SSAT has no guessing penalty, so students are encouraged to answer every question.
Is the SSAT on paper or a computer?
Both options are available, depending on your child’s SSAT level, location, and the testing format you choose. The SSAT is offered as a traditional paper test, as a computer-based exam at Prometric testing centers, and—for eligible Middle and Upper Level students—as a proctored SSAT at Home. Your tutor will prepare your child for the specific format they’ll take, so nothing feels unfamiliar on test day.
Is tutoring done in person or virtually?
All SSAT tutoring is delivered virtually through personalized one-on-one sessions by video or phone. Flexible scheduling makes it easy to fit preparation around school, activities, and family commitments, while allowing us to match your child with the tutor best suited to their SSAT level and goals, wherever you live.
How does pricing work?
SSAT tutoring is available as a standalone service or as part of Private Counseling. Standalone tutoring is offered in flexible hour packages tailored to your child’s SSAT level, goals, and admissions timeline. We’ll help you determine the level of support that’s the best fit for your family.