The same test can carry quite different fees depending on where it is taken and when the family registers. This page sets out what each format charges, what late registration adds, what rescheduling and cancellation cost, and how fee waivers work, so that the full cost can be estimated before a date is chosen.
ISEE fees by format and grade band
This section answers the main question: what each test format charges for applicants to grades 2–4 and for applicants to grades 5–12. The grade band is the grade the student is applying to enter, not the grade currently attended.
| Test format | Registration tier | Applying to grades 2–4 | Applying to grades 5–12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| At-Home (remote proctoring) | Organized by the school | $130 | $170 |
| At-Home (remote proctoring) | Organized by E3n | $185 | $250 |
| At-School | Regular | $130 | $170 |
| At-School | Late | $175 | $215 |
| At-School | On-site | $190 | $230 |
| In-Office | Group testing | $185 | $225 |
| In-Office | Individual testing (includes accommodations) | $210 | $255 |
| Prometric testing centers | Single price | Not available | $250 |
Prometric testing centers do not accept students applying to grades 2–4.
Source: E3n, ISEE registration (admission.org), checked 2026-08-24.
E3n (formerly ERB) sets these fees and publishes them on the registration page of admission.org. ISEEPrep rechecks this page each term, and the amount shown at checkout in the parent account is the amount that applies.
What each format means for the total cost
This section explains how the four formats differ beyond the price, since the cheapest option is not suitable for every student.
| Format | Proctoring | Delivery | Grouping | Grade limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At-Home | Remote | Computer | Individual | None |
| At-School | In person | Paper or computer | Group | None |
| In-Office | In person | Paper or computer | Group or individual | None |
| Prometric testing centers | In person | Computer | Group | Applying to grades 5–12 only |
Source: E3n, ISEE registration (admission.org), checked 2026-08-24.
The At-Home format removes travel and suits families without a nearby site or students who become tense in an unfamiliar room. It does require a reliable connection, a working camera and a suitable room, and a connection failure during the test can be difficult to resolve. When the school organizes the sitting, the fee matches the regular at-school fee.
The At-School format has the lowest fees and a formal testing room, and many schools are themselves testing sites. Seats and dates depend on each school, so popular sites fill early.
The In-Office format offers more flexible dates than a school site. Students who need testing accommodations can be placed in individual testing, which is priced separately. Details on how accommodations are requested are in the accommodations guide. Fees are higher than at school sites, and the number of sites is limited.
Prometric testing centers are professional computer-based facilities with many locations across the country and a comparatively wide choice of dates. The fee is the highest of the four, and applicants to grades 2–4 cannot use them.
Late and on-site registration charges
This section covers the extra cost of registering late, which applies only to the At-School format.
At-School registration has three tiers: regular, late and on-site. Both grade bands pay the same additional amount, so the surcharge can be read directly from the table.
| Registration tier | Applying to grades 2–4 | Applying to grades 5–12 | Added to the regular fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | $130 | $170 | None |
| Late | $175 | $215 | +$45 |
| On-site | $190 | $230 | +$60 |
The three tiers apply to At-School testing only.
Source: E3n, ISEE registration (admission.org), checked 2026-08-24.
The surcharge is avoidable, but the more serious cost of late registration is availability. Seats at popular sites are scarcer than the price suggests, and by the late window the remaining dates may no longer fit the application calendar. Families then switch formats or wait for the next testing season. How the seasons are arranged is explained in test dates and testing seasons.
Rescheduling and cancellation fees
This section sets out what changing or cancelling a registration costs. The rules differ between standard sittings and Prometric testing centers, and families often assume they are the same, so each should be checked before registering.
Standard sittings (At-Home, At-School and In-Office)
| Situation | Fee or outcome |
|---|---|
| Rescheduling at least 1 day before test day | $50 rescheduling fee |
| Cancellation | $55 cancellation fee; the remaining balance is refunded if cancelled within 90 days of registration |
| Cancellation after 90 days from registration | No refund |
| On test day or after | Rescheduling is not possible |
Prometric testing centers
| Time before the test date | Rescheduling fee |
|---|---|
| 31 or more days | Free |
| 30–15 days | $25 |
| 14–5 days | $45 |
| 4–1 days | $75 |
| Cancellation within 4 days | No refund |
Source: E3n, ISEE registration (admission.org), checked 2026-08-24.
At Prometric the fee rises as the test date approaches, so a change that is made early costs nothing. For earlier cancellations at Prometric, the refund amount should be confirmed on the registration page before the test is booked.
Fee waivers
This section explains who handles a fee waiver request, because the route is often misunderstood.
E3n makes fee waivers available to families with financial need. The request is made through the school the student is applying to. Families should contact the admission office of that school, which begins the waiver process, rather than approaching the test organizer directly.
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Who may request | Families with financial need |
| Where the request goes | The school the student is applying to |
| What not to do | Contact the test organizer to request a waiver directly |
Source: E3n, ISEE registration (admission.org), checked 2026-08-24.
Costs beyond the registration fee
This section lists the other items that belong in a testing budget. Prices for these items vary widely and are not given on this page.
- Practice materials, which range from free resources from E3n to paid question banks.
- Tutoring, which depends on the subjects and the number of sessions. Not every student needs help in every section.
- A possible second sitting. A repeat attempt is a separate registration, so families who expect to test more than once should plan for a second fee. The rules on repeat testing are in the retake and score sending guide.
- Travel and time, which for a distant site can outweigh the registration fee.
Sending scores to additional schools is not one of these costs, because adding recipient schools carries no extra fee.
Choosing a format with cost in mind
This section offers a short sequence for balancing price against suitability. It is general guidance and not a promise about any outcome.
- Confirm the grade the student is applying to enter, since it sets the grade band and whether Prometric is available.
- Check whether the schools on the list organize their own sittings, which can lead to the regular At-School or school-organized At-Home rate.
- Register early enough to stay in the regular tier, and compare the At-Home and At-School options only after confirming seat availability.
- If the student needs accommodations, review the individual testing option and the application process before comparing prices.
- Note the rescheduling schedule for the chosen format, particularly the 31-day mark at Prometric.
The full registration sequence, including account setup and the four formats side by side, is covered in the registration guide. Families who would like help matching a format and a timeline to a student can book a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the ISEE cost?
The fee depends on the test format and the grade a student is applying to enter. Applicants to grades 2–4 pay from $130 and applicants to grades 5–12 from $170 when registering for a regular at-school sitting. Tests organized directly by E3n cost $185 or $250 at home, and Prometric testing centers charge $250.
Which ISEE test format is the cheapest?
Regular registration at a school testing site has the lowest fee: $130 for applicants to grades 2–4 and $170 for applicants to grades 5–12. The saving applies only when the preferred date is still open at the regular rate and the site has seats available.
Why does the ISEE cost more for older students?
Fees are set by the grade band a student is applying to enter. In every format that serves both bands, the grades 5–12 fee is higher than the grades 2–4 fee, for example $170 compared with $130 for regular at-school registration.
How much is the ISEE at a Prometric testing center?
Prometric testing centers charge a single price of $250. They accept only students applying to grades 5–12, so applicants to grades 2–4 must choose one of the other three formats.
How much does it cost to reschedule the ISEE?
For At-Home, At-School and In-Office sittings, rescheduling costs $50 and must be done before test day. At Prometric the fee depends on timing: free at 31 or more days before the test, $25 at 30–15 days, $45 at 14–5 days and $75 at 4–1 days.
Can an ISEE registration be refunded?
For standard sittings, cancellation carries a $55 fee, and the remaining balance is refunded when the cancellation is made within 90 days of registration. After 90 days from registration, no refund is given. At Prometric, cancellation within 4 days of the test date is not refunded.
Is there an ISEE fee waiver for families with financial need?
Yes. E3n makes fee waivers available to families with financial need. The request goes through the school the student is applying to, which starts the waiver process, rather than through the test organizer.
Does sending ISEE scores to more schools cost extra?
No. After the score report is generated, families can add recipient schools in the parent account, and adding schools carries no additional fee.
Sources1 source · checked 2026-09-30
Last reviewed 2026-09-30 · Next review 2026-12-31 · Reviewed by ISEEPrep teaching team
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