Free ISEE practice questions and mock tests
Prepare for the ISEE with Middle and Upper Level practice questions organized by section and skill, each with a step-by-step explanation. Take a full-length mock test, then let Grind Mode point you to the skills that need work.
What is the ISEE?
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is the admission test used by many independent and private schools. It is administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) on paper or online, at test sites, testing offices, and Prometric centers. Students take the level that matches the grade they are applying to:
| Level | Applying to grade |
|---|---|
| Lower Level | 5–6 |
| Middle Level | 7–8 |
| Upper Level | 9–12 |
ISEE sections, question counts, and timing
Every level has the same five sections. The four multiple-choice sections have four answer choices per question. The essay is written in response to a prompt chosen by ERB.
| Section | What it tests | Middle & Upper | Lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | Vocabulary (synonyms) and sentence completion | 40 questions · 20 min | 34 · 20 min |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Math reasoning: word problems and, at Middle and Upper Level, quantitative comparisons | 37 · 35 min | 38 · 35 min |
| Reading Comprehension | Questions about short passages in the humanities, sciences, and social studies | 36 · 35 min | 25 · 25 min |
| Mathematics Achievement | Grade-level math skills, from number sense to algebra, geometry, and data | 47 · 40 min | 30 · 30 min |
| Essay | One prompt; not scored, but sent to schools | 30 min | 30 min |
| Total time | 160 min | 140 min |
There are two short breaks, after Quantitative Reasoning and after Mathematics Achievement.
Practice ISEE on Toiya
- Take a mock ISEE. A full-length, timed mock test shows where you stand in every section. Start a mock ISEE.
- Turn on Grind Mode. Choose ISEE Middle or ISEE Upper as your exam. Your mock tests, practice questions, and problem sets build a skill-by-skill performance profile.
- Follow your personalized feed. Grind Mode builds a practice feed aimed at the skills that need work, plus a summary of your strongest areas and what to review first, ready to share with a tutor.
How Toiya organizes ISEE practice
Every ISEE question is tagged by level, section, and skill, and rated easy, medium, or hard, so students can focus on the skills each section tests, from synonyms and quantitative comparisons to algebra, geometry, and data. Browse the full skill list below, or see how the question bank is organized across all exams.
Upper Level skills
Upper Level English
Verbal Reasoning
- Synonyms
- Sentence Completion: Single Blank
- Sentence Completion: Double Blank
Reading Comprehension
- Inference
- Supporting Evidence and Detail
- Main Idea and Purpose
- Tone, Style, and Figurative Language
- Vocabulary in Context
- Organization and Logic
Upper Level Math
Algebraic Concepts
- Proportions
- Algebraic Relationships
- Factoring Polynomials
- Creating Algebraic Equations
- Inequalities
- Slope
- Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
- Distributing
- Function Notation
- Sequences
- Absolute Value Inequalities
- Solving for Zero
- Imaginary Operations
- Permutations & Combinations
- Equation of a Line
Numbers & Operations
- Arithmetic
- Percent Change
- Percents
- Exponents
- Consecutive Integers
- Roots of Numbers
- Multiples
- Factors
- Scientific Notation
- Negative Exponents
- Vocabulary
- Imaginary Numbers
- Matrices
- Fractional Exponents
- Roots of Variables
Data & Probability
- Probability
- Averages
- Interpreting Graphs
- Circle Graphs
- Stem-and-Leaf Plots
- Conditional Probability
- Box-and-Whisker Plots
- Survey Samples
- Frequency Charts & Graphs
- Histograms
Geometry
- Angle Sums
- Geometry with Variables
- Trigonometry
- Nets
- Distance on a Coordinate Grid
- Polygons on a Coordinate Grid
Measurements
- Area and Perimeter
- Formulas
- Speed
- Unit Conversions
- Appropriate Units
Middle Level skills
Middle Level English
Verbal Reasoning
- Synonyms
- Sentence Completion
Reading Comprehension
- Supporting Evidence and Detail
- Inference
- Vocabulary in Context
- Main Idea and Purpose
- Organization and Logic
- Tone, Style, and Figurative Language
Middle Level Math
Numbers & Operations
- Fractions
- Integers
- Percents
- Estimation
- Factors, Multiples, and Primes
- Decimals
Algebraic Concepts
- Solving Algebraic Equations
- Functions & Patterns
- Ratios, Proportions, & Scale Factor
- Slope
Data & Probability
- Probability
- Interpreting Data
- Mean, Median, Mode, & Range
Measurements
- Formulas
- Units
Geometry
- Geometric Objects
- Coordinates
Frequently asked questions
Which ISEE levels does Toiya cover?
Toiya offers Middle Level (for students applying to grades 7–8) and Upper Level (grades 9–12) practice across all four multiple-choice sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics Achievement.
Are the ISEE practice questions free?
Yes. Create a free Toiya account to practice by section and skill, take a full-length mock ISEE, and review step-by-step explanations.
What kinds of ISEE questions are on Toiya?
Toiya's ISEE practice includes official sample questions, full-length practice tests, and questions written by our team in the style of the real test. Questions are organized by section and skill and rated easy, medium, or hard, and most include a step-by-step explanation.
Can I use a calculator on the ISEE?
No. Calculators, scratch paper, rulers, and protractors are not permitted on the ISEE, so it's best to practice ISEE math without one.
Is the ISEE essay scored?
No. The 30-minute essay is not scored, but a copy is sent to every school that receives the student's score report, so schools do read it.
How many times can a student take the ISEE?
Up to three times in a 12-month admission cycle, at most once per testing season: Fall (August–November), Winter (December–March), and Spring/Summer (April–July).
How is the ISEE scored?
Each multiple-choice section receives a scaled score, a percentile rank, and a stanine from 1 to 9. Percentiles compare a student only with other applicants to the same grade over the past three years. Wrong answers are not penalized, so students should answer every question. Each section also contains a few unscored questions that ERB is trying out for future tests.
What is Grind Mode?
Grind Mode turns everyday practice into a personal performance profile. Choose ISEE Middle or ISEE Upper, and your practice questions, problem sets, and mock tests are tracked by skill. As answers add up, Toiya builds a personalized practice feed focused on the skills that need work, along with a summary of your strongest areas and what to review first.
Can tutors use Toiya to plan ISEE lessons?
Yes. Tutors can filter ISEE questions by level, section, skill, and difficulty, then turn them into worksheets, homework, or printable PDFs. Tutors can also connect Claude or ChatGPT to the question bank and build lessons by chatting. See the AI connector guide.
Last updated November 8, 2026.