SSAT/ISEE Guide
Many private schools use either the SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test) or the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) to help determine the qualifications and potential of an applicant. Both tests consist of multiple-choice math, grammar and reading comprehension questions, as well as short essay (which is not scored but sent to admissions recipients).
The SSAT is offered at two levels for students:
- Currently in 5th – 7th grades
- Currently in 8th – 11th grades
Whereas the ISEE is offered at three levels for students:
- Seeking admission to 6th grade
- Applying to 8th and 9th grades
- Entering 9th – 11th grades
We recommend that you contact the school to which your child is applying to learn which test they prefer.
Below are the 2011 - 2012 test dates and registration deadlines, as well as our corresponding tutoring session start dates. The dates denoted under each section are recommended start dates based on the number of test sections that need preparation.
SSAT TEST DATE** |
SSAT REGISTRATION DEADLINE | 3 SECTIONS (suggested start date)* | 2 SECTIONS (suggested start date)* | 1 SECTION (suggested start date)* |
| October 15 | September 23 | August 22 | September 5 | September 19 |
| November 12 | October 21 | September 19 | October 3 | October 10 |
| December 10 | November 18 | October 10 | October 31 | November 7 |
| January 7 | December 16 | November 7 | November 28 | December 5 |
| February 4 | January 13 | December 5 | January 2 | January 16 |
| March 3 | February 10 | January 9 | January 30 | February 13 |
| April 21 | March 30 | February 20 | March 12 | March 26 |
| June 9 | May 18 | April 16 | May 7 | May 21 |
* Please note that these are only guidelines and we will provide a personalized plan once we understand your child’s content comprehension, learning style and standardized test goals. Contact us.
| ISEE TEST DATE** | ISEE REGISTRATION DEADLINE | 3 SECTIONS (suggested start date)* | 2 SECTIONS (suggested start date)* | 1 SECTION (suggested start date)* |
| October November December |
Check with your school | At least 8 weeks prior to test | At least 5 weeks prior to test | At least 3 weeks prior to test |
* Please note that these are only guidelines and we will provide a personalized plan once we understand your child’s content comprehension, learning style and standardized test goals. Contact us.
**Tests are offered throughout the year, yet most students take the November or December tests in order to meet the January application deadline of many schools.
With Tutor Corps' help I improved my grades, increased my ACT score by 10 percentage points to score in the 99th percentile, and was accepted to UC Berkeley! 
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