Both the HSPT and the ISEE are nationally administered standardized tests that help private schools evaluate candidates. Below is a chart summarizing the differences:
HSPTISEE Lengthapproximately 3 hoursapproximately 3 hours Sections5 test sections5 test sections Areas TestedVerbal Skills, Quantitative Skills, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and LanguageVerbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Math Achievement, and Essay Verbal Skills (HSPT) / Verbal Reasoning (ISEE)Synonyms, antonyms, vocabulary, analogies, verbal logicVocabulary, sentence completion Quantitative Skills (HSPT)/Quantitative Reasoning (ISEE)Number manipulation, Comparison questions (geometric/non-geometric), Patterns/sequences
Topics covered: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry
Word problems, Number manipulation, Patterns/sequences
Topics covered: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry
Reading ComprehensionReading comprehension passages, central meaning (vocabulary is tested as well)Reading comprehension passages, central meaning (vocabulary not tested) Mathematics (HSPT)/Math Achievement (ISEE)Problem solving, Mathematical concepts, arithmetic, basic algebra and geometryProblem solving, Mathematical concepts, word problems, arithmetic, basic algebra and geometry LanguageGrammar, PunctuationNot included EssayNot includedLast section 30 minutes ScoreEach correct answer is worth one point; the raw score is converted to a score on a scale of 200-800 (like on the SAT).Each section receives a stanine (scored out of 9)