A Guide to ISEE Registration: Testing Options

Navigating the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) options can be completely overwhelming. Not only do you have to rush to sign up when registration opens on August 1st, but there’s at least three different categories for Testing Location alone. With choices ranging from group to individual settings and from remote to in-person formats, let’s break down the pros and cons and how you might make your choice.

1. At-Home Testing

Environment: Students take the ISEE from the comfort of their own homes.

Test Format: Online.

Administration: Individual.

Pros:

• Convenience: No need to travel to a testing center, saving time and reducing stress.

• Familiar Setting: Being at home can help reduce test anxiety.

• Flexibility: Easier to reschedule if needed.

Cons:

• Familiar Setting: While anxiety can be reduced, there is also a greater propensity towards distraction. Also, parent(s) are often present in the next room, which can add to anxiety and cause students to lose focus.

• Technical Issues: Potential for technical difficulties that could disrupt the test.

• Proctoring Limitations: Remote proctors may have limitations in addressing immediate concerns.

2. In-Office Testing

Environment: Conducted in professional educational testing offices.

Test Format: Paper or online.

Administration: Group or individual.

Pros:

• Timing: Test can be taken at various times throughout the day, almost any day of the week.

• Professional Setting: Offices are designed for testing, providing a quiet and focused environment.

• Flexibility: Options for both group and individual testing based on preference and need.

Cons:

• Limited Availability: These options usually fill up the fastest on registration day and can be hard to come by.

• Cost: Generally more expensive than at-school testing.

• Logistics: Requires travel to the testing office.

3. Prometric Test Centers

Environment: Professional testing centers that administer a variety of standardized tests.

Test Format: Online.

Administration: Group.

Pros:

• Controlled Environment: Provides a highly controlled testing environment.

• Standardization: Consistent administration across locations.

Cons:

• Location: This can be a distracting option, as well, because testing centers are not only conducting ISEE testing. So it is possible for kids to be taking tests in the same environment as older kids or even adults, which can be intimidating.

• Logistics: Requires travel to the test center.

• Cost: Generally more expensive than other options.

Factors to consider:

• In-Person vs At-Home

  • Consider whether your child thrives in social settings or prefers solitude. Assess their comfort level with technology and ability to handle potential distractions.

  • Factor in your family’s schedule, travel capabilities, and any health concerns that might affect your decision.

• Individual vs Group

  • Sometimes it’s helpful to be in a room of people who help set the testing tone. If this sounds like it would help your child, group and in-person setups are the way to go.

  • On the other hand, if your child is easily distracted by other people, has sensory sensitivity, or otherwise could benefit from greater assistance, an individual or at-home test setup may be better.

• Online vs Paper

  • If your child takes the online test, then the essay section will be typed. If it’s in-person, then the essay will be handwritten. Which one is better? Well, that depends on the student.

  • Our Mulholland Prep testing strategies are useful for both paper and online ISEE! So prepping with us doesn’t limit you to one test or another.

• Costs

  • The price of registration ranges according to all of the different available variables. To evaluate the costs, explore the official ISEE registration page.

Important things to remember:

• Sign up for TWO test dates. That way your child has the option to take the test another time down the road.

• Check school deadlines. Make sure that if you sign up for a later test date, it’s still early enough to submit scores with applications.

At Mulholland Prep, we’re here to support you through every step of the process. Whether you opt for at-home, at-school, in-office, or Prometric center testing, our goal is to ensure your child is well-prepared and confident on test day. If you have any questions or need further guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us!