Most schools accept either SSAT or ISEE scores. Choose the test that is fit for your child and will highlight their skills. Here are some of the differences between the two standardized tests.
The ISEE is given to younger children, those entering the 2nd grade. The SSAT is given to students entering 4th grade onward.
The ISEE can only be taken three times a year while the SSAT can be taken as many times.
The scaled score in the SSAT is converted into a percentile score that covers three sections–verbal, reading, and quantitative. The ISEE, on the other hand, presents four section scores– verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, and mathematics achievement, and the primary normative score is a stanine.
There is a guessing penalty for the Middle and Upper-Level SSAT where students receive 1 point for each correct answer, 0 points for unanswered questions, and lose ¼ points for each wrong answer. The ISEE does not have a guessing penalty. Students get 1 point for each correct answer and 0 points for every incorrect answer or unanswered question.
The verbal section of the ISEE features sentence completions, while the SSAT has analogy questions.
The SSAT reading section includes poetry and older-style literature while the ISEE reading section generally focuses on more contemporary passages.
The ISEE math has a quantitative reasoning section focusing on problem-solving and critical thinking. The SSAT, on the other hand, has two quantitative sections composed of a mix of critical thinking and knowledge-based questions.
Students complete an unscored writing sample for both the ISEE and SSAT. The writing is sent to schools together with the scores for the multiple-choice sections of the test. This is part of a student’s application portfolio submitted to the admissions officers.