ISEE Test Prep: Self-Study, Tutoring or Online System

Three routes to ISEE preparation

This section answers the first practical question: what kinds of preparation exist. Families generally choose one of three routes, or combine two of them. The test organizer, E3n (formerly ERB, website admission.org), does not require any particular preparation, and none of the three routes is a required part of the ISEE process.

• Self-study. The student works through free materials and follows a written study plan. The cost is mainly time and the parent’s effort to keep the schedule.
• Online one-to-one tutoring. A teacher diagnoses the student, builds a plan and teaches the weak areas in live online lessons. Details are on the online tutoring page.
• Online learning system. The student practices by section, takes timed full-length tests and reviews errors inside a subscription platform. Details are on the online learning system page.

The routes differ in how much outside feedback the student receives. Self-study offers the least, tutoring the most, and the learning system sits in between by sorting errors automatically without a teacher present.

Which route suits which student

This table matches common situations to the route that usually fits. It is a teaching recommendation, not a rule, and a student may move from one route to another as the diagnostic results come in.

Situation	Route that usually fits	Reason
Strong English reader, six months or more before the first test	Self-study with a study plan	Time allows slow, steady practice, and errors are few enough for a parent to review.
Repeated errors in one section after several weeks of practice	One-to-one tutoring	A teacher can locate the cause of the error, which a score alone does not show.
Student works well alone but needs timed tests and organized review	Online learning system	Full-length tests and error tags are available at any hour, without scheduling lessons.
Short timeline, such as four to eight weeks	Tutoring, or tutoring with the learning system	Limited time leaves little room for trial and error in the plan.
English is a second language	Any route, adjusted for language	Vocabulary and reading speed need separate attention; see the English language learners page.
Primary 2 to Primary 4 applicants	Mostly parent-led familiarization	Short sessions and a familiar format matter more than content drills.

Many families begin with the free trial account or a one-hour trial lesson before committing to a larger package. Neither carries any obligation to continue.

The same four steps on every route

This section describes the process that applies whichever route is chosen. The steps are what matter; the route only changes who provides the feedback.

1. Diagnose. The student takes a timed practice test at the correct level. The levels page explains how the level follows the grade being applied to. The result is read by question type, so that a weak section is traced to a specific skill.
2. Plan. Working backward from the first test date, the family sets weekly hours and an order of topics. The study plans page gives a 12-week schedule and a shorter version.
3. Train and test. The student practices by section, reviews every error and sits full-length timed practice tests at intervals. Original practice material written by the teaching team is not content from E3n and should not be converted into ISEE scores.
4. Take the test and apply. The student registers through the E3n account, sits the test and sends scores to schools. Registration compares the available test formats.

Starting prices

This section gives the entry price for each paid route only. Package sizes, subscription terms and what each includes are on the linked pages.

Route	Starting point	Where to read more
Self-study	No fee	Study plans
Online one-to-one tutoring	$150 for a one-hour trial lesson	Online tutoring
Online learning system	$500 for 1 month, including 1 practice test	Online learning system

Prices checked 2026-09-30; confirm at enrollment.

A free trial account for the learning system includes one full-length practice test with section scores and an error report. A family can request the trial before choosing a route.

Choosing without overspending

This section offers a practical order of decisions. The aim is to spend where outside help changes the outcome and to avoid it where it does not.

1. Confirm the level and the first test date before choosing anything. These two facts set the length of the plan.
2. Take one diagnostic. A single timed test shows whether the problem is one section or the whole test.
3. Start with the lightest route that fits. A student who is making steady progress on a written plan does not need weekly lessons.
4. Reassess after three to four weeks. If the same errors keep appearing, add review from a teacher; if they do not, continue as planned.

Preparation improves a student’s familiarity with the format and the quality of practice. It does not promise a score, and admission decisions belong to each school. The scores page explains how results are read, so that expectations can be set before testing begins.

In-person classes

The tutoring and learning system on this site are delivered online and are open to families anywhere. Families in Southern California who need in-person classes can read the ISEE course information at edub.us. Families who are unsure which format fits can book a free consultation and describe the student’s grade, timeline and goals.