ISEE vs SSAT: Which Test Should You Take?

Choosing between the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) and SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) is one of the most important decisions in your private school admission process. Both tests open doors to top independent schools, but they have significant differences that could affect your performance. This comprehensive guide will help you make the right choice.

Quick Comparison Overview

Feature	ISEE	SSAT
Testing Frequency	Once per testing season (3 seasons/year)	Multiple times per year
Scoring	Scaled scores + percentiles (no penalty for wrong answers)	Scaled scores + percentiles (¼ point penalty for wrong answers)
Test Length	~2 hours 40 minutes	~3 hours 5 minutes
Verbal Section	Synonyms + sentence completion	Synonyms + analogies
Math Sections	2 sections (quantitative reasoning + math achievement)	2 sections (both similar format)
Essay	1 prompt (not scored, sent to schools)	1 prompt (not scored, sent to schools)
School Acceptance	Widely accepted	Widely accepted

Detailed Section-by-Section Comparison

Verbal Reasoning: The Biggest Difference

ISEE Verbal (40 questions, 20 minutes)

Synonyms (20 questions): Choose word closest in meaning
Example: JOVIAL most nearly means: (A) angry (B) cheerful (C) tired (D) quiet
Sentence Completions (20 questions): Fill in the blank(s)
Example: The scientist's discovery was so _____ that it changed the entire field. (A) trivial (B) revolutionary (C) boring (D) simple

SSAT Verbal (60 questions, 30 minutes)

Synonyms (30 questions): Similar to ISEE
Example: CONSTRUCT: (A) destroy (B) build (C) imagine (D) copy
Analogies (30 questions): Identify relationships between word pairs
Example: Hot is to cold as tall is to: (A) short (B) long (C) high (D) big

Key Difference:

ISEE tests sentence completion (context clues), while SSAT tests analogies (relationship reasoning). If you're strong at understanding words in context, ISEE may suit you better. If you excel at pattern recognition and relationships, SSAT might be your strength.

Math Sections: Subtle but Important Differences

Aspect	ISEE Math	SSAT Math
Section 1	Quantitative Reasoning (37 questions, 35 min) - includes quantitative comparisons	Math Section 1 (25 questions, 30 min) - standard multiple choice
Section 2	Math Achievement (47 questions, 40 min) - standard multiple choice	Math Section 2 (25 questions, 30 min) - standard multiple choice
Unique Format	Quantitative comparisons (compare two quantities: A>B, A	None - all standard multiple choice
Content Coverage	Similar topics, organized into two distinct section types	Similar topics, split across two equivalent sections

ISEE Quantitative Comparison Example:

Column A: 3 × 7 + 5

Column B: 3 × (7 + 5)

Answer Choices:

A) The quantity in Column A is greater
B) The quantity in Column B is greater
C) The two quantities are equal
D) The relationship cannot be determined

Correct answer: B (Column A = 26, Column B = 36)

Reading Comprehension: Nearly Identical

Both tests have very similar reading sections:

ISEE: 36 questions in 35 minutes (5-6 passages)
SSAT: 40 questions in 40 minutes (6-7 passages)
Passage Types: Both include fiction, poetry, and informational texts
Question Types: Main idea, detail, inference, vocabulary in context, tone/purpose

The reading sections are so similar that preparation for one essentially prepares you for the other.

The Guessing Penalty: A Critical Difference

ISEE: No Penalty

Your raw score = number of correct answers. Wrong answers don't hurt you.

Strategy: ALWAYS guess. Never leave a question blank.

SSAT: ¼ Point Penalty

Your raw score = (correct answers) - (¼ × wrong answers). Omitted questions = 0 points.

Strategy: If you can eliminate at least one answer choice, guess. If you have no idea, consider omitting.

Impact on Test-Takers:

Risk-averse students or those who second-guess themselves may perform better on ISEE. Confident test-takers who can eliminate wrong answers often do fine on either test.

Testing Frequency & Retake Policy

Policy	ISEE	SSAT
How often can you take it?	Once per testing season (Fall: Aug-Nov, Winter: Dec-Mar, Spring: Apr-Jul)	As many times as offered (typically 8 standard dates + flex options)
Score reporting	Schools see ALL scores from past 3 years	Schools see ALL scores OR you can choose which to send (varies by school)
Advantage	Less test anxiety for perfectionists (limited attempts = less pressure)	Multiple chances to improve; can test early for practice
Disadvantage	Only 3 attempts per year; must prepare thoroughly before testing	May encourage over-testing; schools see multiple attempts

School Preferences: Which Test Do Schools Want?

The Truth: Most schools accept both!

Over 95% of independent schools that require standardized testing accept either ISEE or SSAT. However, there are regional trends:

East Coast (especially NYC, Boston, Philadelphia):

Traditionally SSAT-dominant
Many top schools were founded by SSAT member organizations
ISEE increasingly popular and fully accepted

West Coast (California, Pacific Northwest):

More ISEE-heavy historically
SSAT equally accepted at virtually all schools

Action Step:

Check your target schools' websites. If they accept both, choose based on YOUR strengths, not school preferences.

Decision Framework: Which Test is Right for YOU?

Choose ISEE if you:

✓ Prefer understanding words in context (sentence completion) over abstract word relationships (analogies)
✓ Are risk-averse or tend to second-guess yourself (no guessing penalty)
✓ Want limited testing opportunities to avoid over-testing stress
✓ Excel at quantitative comparison questions (special ISEE format)
✓ Prefer a slightly shorter test (saves 25 minutes)
✓ Are applying primarily to West Coast schools

Choose SSAT if you:

✓ Excel at identifying relationships and patterns (analogies are your strength)
✓ Are a confident test-taker who rarely guesses blindly
✓ Want multiple opportunities to improve your score
✓ Prefer standard multiple-choice math (no quantitative comparisons)
✓ Are applying to traditional East Coast boarding schools
✓ Want the flexibility to test early and often

Practice Test Comparison Strategy

The BEST way to choose is to take a practice test of each under timed conditions:

Week 1: Take an ISEE practice test (official or high-quality prep book)
Week 2: Take an SSAT practice test (official or high-quality prep book)
Compare:
- Which verbal section felt more natural?
- Which math format suited your thinking style?
- Which test gave you a better percentile score?
- Which test left you feeling more confident?
Decide: Go with the test where you scored higher AND felt more comfortable

Can You Take Both Tests?

Yes, but should you?

Pros:

Maximizes your chances of a strong score
Allows you to submit whichever score is higher
Some students perform differently on different test formats

Cons:

Requires preparing for two different test formats (especially analogies vs. sentence completion)
Doubles test fees and time commitment
May spread preparation too thin
Increases stress and testing fatigue

Recommendation:

Take practice tests of both, then commit to ONE test and prepare thoroughly. Taking both official tests is rarely worth the extra stress unless you have unlimited preparation time.

Preparation Differences

Skill Area	ISEE Prep Focus	SSAT Prep Focus
Vocabulary	Context clues + synonyms (1,000+ words)	Word relationships + synonyms (1,200+ words)
Verbal Unique	Master sentence completion strategies	Master analogy relationship types (20+ categories)
Math Unique	Practice quantitative comparisons extensively	Standard problem-solving (no special format)
Strategy	Aggressive guessing (no penalty)	Strategic omitting when completely uncertain

Common Myths Debunked

Myth #1: "SSAT is harder than ISEE"

Truth: Neither test is objectively harder. They test similar content with different formats. Your performance depends on which format suits YOUR strengths.

Myth #2: "Top schools prefer SSAT"

Truth: Elite schools (Andover, Exeter, Choate, etc.) explicitly state they have NO preference. They care about your percentile, not which test you took.

Myth #3: "ISEE is easier because there's no guessing penalty"

Truth: ISEE percentiles are adjusted accordingly. A 90th percentile on ISEE is equivalent to 90th percentile on SSAT in admissions officers' eyes.

Myth #4: "You should take both tests to maximize scores"

Truth: For most students, focused preparation on ONE test yields better results than splitting time between two tests.

Quick Decision Flowchart

Step 1: Check your schools

→ If any school accepts only one test, take that test. Done!

Step 2: Take practice tests of both

→ Score significantly higher on one? Take that test!

Step 3: Assess verbal preferences

→ Hate analogies? Take ISEE. Struggle with sentence completion? Take SSAT.

Step 4: Consider testing personality

→ Risk-averse? ISEE. Want multiple attempts? SSAT.

Step 5: Still undecided?

→ Default to SSAT (more testing dates = more flexibility)

Success Story:

"I took practice tests for both ISEE and SSAT. My SSAT math score was higher, but the analogies killed me—I scored 20 percentile points lower on SSAT verbal. I chose ISEE because sentence completion felt more natural. My final ISEE score was 95th percentile overall, and I got into my top choice school. Trust your practice test results!"

— Sophie L., Admitted to Choate Rosemary Hall

Remember: There is no "better" test—only the better test FOR YOU. Both ISEE and SSAT are equally respected by admissions committees. Choose the one that showcases YOUR strengths, prepare thoroughly, and perform confidently. Your choice of test matters far less than your preparation and score!

ISEE vs SSAT: Which Test Should You Take?