ISEE/SSAT Tutors American School Admissions
All of our ISEE/SSAT tutors are highly qualified professionals who know the American school system inside out. They range from full-time tutors to teachers who have worked at leading private schools and they all share a passion for education. Whether your child is in grade 3 or grade 11, our tutors will help them to shine.
At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, we will assign you with an ISEE/SSAT tutor who has a wealth of experience preparing students for the ISEE and the SSAT. We value successful track records, and the tutors we recommend will know exactly how your child will be tested and how best to prepare them for the challenge.
We have a rigorous recruitment process. Candidates must show proof of their qualifications and experience, provide references, attend a face-to-face interview and attain a DBS certificate. We also offer frequent training and development sessions so tutors remain up to date with any changes to the ISEE and the SSAT.
How our ISEE/SSAT Tutors prepare students
The ISEE and the SSAT assess verbal reasoning, Maths, reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning, and children aiming for top schools need to perform well in all four sections. Our tutors pinpoint their pupils’ strengths and weaknesses, and focus on potential problem areas – as well as honing existing skills. Through targeted, one-to-one lessons, they will give your child the academic edge they need to stand out from the crowd.
Our tutors know the importance of exam technique and take time to familiarise their students with the format of the SSAT and the ISEE. No child goes into the exam hall feeling unprepared. Drawing on lots of practice questions and past exam papers, they build children’s confidence and deepen their understanding of the relevant topics.
It’s not all about exam practice, however. To do well in the verbal sections of the assessments, children and teenagers need to have an excellent vocabulary. Our ISEE/SATT tutors strive to instil a love of reading in their students, therefore, which will see them through their entrance exams and beyond. Plus, at Hampstead and Frognal Tutors we know children perform best when they are happy and engaged, so we ensure lessons are always dynamic, interactive and fun.
We provide both face-to-face tutoring and tuition via Skype so you can access our outstanding services from around the world.
Exams we cover
The SSAT Test
The SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test) and ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) are used for admission to private middle and high schools in America. Many schools will accept results from either assessment but it is worth doing your homework. Our tutors can prepare children for every element of both exams.
This standardised test is divided into three levels – upper, middle and elementary – depending on age. For older children it lasts for just over 3 hours, while younger children sit a 1 hour and 50 minute test. The exam is divided into ‘quantitative’, ‘reading comprehension’ and ‘verbal reasoning’ and candidates also write an unmarked essay which is sent out to relevant schools.
For further information on where and when to take the SSAT why not check out the official SSAT Website. You can also register your child on their platform.
The ISEE Test
This exam tests the same skills as the SSAT but places more emphasis on Mathematics. It is also divided into age brackets; older children sit a 2 hour and 50 minute test, while younger students face a 2 hours and 30 minutes assessment. Again, the exam contains an unscored essay that schools receive.
You can register your child at the official ISEE website where there is further information if you are still researching.
Should my child take the SSAT or the ISEE?
Many schools happily consider results from the SSAT and the ISEE but some do not. The first step, therefore, is to check which exams the schools you are applying to require or prefer.
Once you have done this, consider what your child is particularly good at – our tutors can help with this. If your child is better at reading and writing than Maths, they might be more suited to the SSAT – the verbal section of the SSAT is more challenging than the ISEE, whereas the ISEE’s Maths section is known to be trickier.
Another thing to consider is that the SSAT has a guessing penalty, whereas in the ISEE students are not marked down for wrong answers.
Is tuition right for your child?
The ISEE and the SSAT are often the first ‘proper’ exams children sit and how they perform determines where they go next. Our ISEE/SSAT Tutors will guide your child through the revision process, filling them with confidence and knowledge. What is more, they inspire students with a love of learning that stays with them throughout their school careers.
Whether your child needs help in a particular area or more general academic support, our tutors are committed to helping their pupils achieve their potential. With patience and enthusiasm, they will prepare your child for the school that is right for them.
