Students Can Now Take the ISEE Multiple Times

Students can take the ISEE during three testing windows – Fall (August–November); Winter (December–March); and Spring/Summer (April–July). Students may take the test only once per window, or up to a maximum of 3 times in a 12-month admission cycle. For entrance to an independent school in Fall 2017, for instance, a student could take the test in the Fall 2016 window to assess which school might be a good academic fit. He or she could then take the test in the Winter window for a score report that would be sent to a school or schools. The ISEE does not encourage multiple testing, but we do offer students and families that option. We have introduced this option to decrease test anxiety and make the ISEE a more useful assessment tool for parents and placement counselors who want to find the best academic fit for a student. We encourage testing only as often as is beneficial for each student’s admission prospects. The number of times a student takes the ISEE is a decision that should be made by parents in consultation with a placement counselor, an admission officer, and/or ISEE staff.

The ISEE has a long and unique history of providing clear reporting and exceptional service to ERB member schools. Multiple testing is designed to make the scores admission officers receive the best possible reflection of a student’s ability and academic potential to succeed in your school community. We expect schools to receive one score report in most cases. In the event that a child’s application includes multiple reports, the scores are likely to show improvement from one testing window to another. That is useful information in measuring a student’s ability to learn and adapt. If admission officers receive multiple scores for an individual student, they may wish to inquire with the student and the family the reason for the additional testing. For example, they might learn that the student had been ill during a test administration.

Our aim is to help you find your students and build your community. ISEE has introduced multiple testing to ensure that a child’s scores are the best possible reflection of his or her ability and academic potential and to improve your ability to admit students who are the best fit for your school. Whether a child takes the test once or more than once, the scores you see will capture a clear picture of how a student performed on that test date. If parents choose to submit multiple reports, you will see how much a child improved over a period of time. If you see one report, it is probably from a date when a student felt that he or she had performed well. As always, your trained eye will be able to discern whether a child’s ISEE score marries with his or her grades and teacher recommendations. To ensure a fair playing field from a financial perspective, ERB will give another fee waiver to a family in need whose child wishes to test again. If you have any questions about score interpretation, our customer support staff is available to help. Please contact the ISEE Operations office at 1-800-446-0320.

Our August 2016 introduction of a multiple testing option is the result of significant input, planning, and preparation. As an independent school admission officer, you know that parent demand for options is stronger than ever – not only for increased test dates, but also for more chances for their child to do his or her best on an admission test. In this case, responding to parent concerns made sense for ISEE, because it better serves our schools as well. Score reports will show a child’s best performance – removing test anxiety and other factors that might skew results. As always, every child will have the same chance to succeed. We will still provide fee waivers, even for multiple testing. Moreover, families will have less anxiety about their child taking a high-stakes test when they know their child can take it again if needed. We are assuring parents whose child or children tested before this option was available that all the students who took the test at the same time as their child had the same chance to perform at their best. These students were permitted to take one test, one time.