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ISEE FAQs

Admission

The ISEE Test

All applicants to Westminster for grades 2nd-12th grade must take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). 

All 5th-12th grade applicants will take the test on a specified testing day during our regular admission season (usually a Saturday morning in December or January). You will sign up for one of the available test days via your parent portal. Once you sign up, our admission office will register your child to take the test. Please call our Admission office at 901.684.1739 to secure a walk-in space for a test date if you do not meet the registration deadline( three weeks prior to the test day)

After February 1st, we enter rolling admissions. All applicants who miss our early admission window will be signed up to individually take the test online at Westminster on a weekday. 

Questions about the ISEE Test? Click on some of the most commonly asked questions below. If you have further questions, please contact the Admission office.

How long does it take to complete the ISEE?

Approximately three hours for 5th-12th grade applicants, not including time to read testing directions and breaks. Parents should arrive at the school to pick up students no earlier than three hours after the testing time listed on the ISEE Verification Letter. Please be respectful of testing staff and pick up students promptly. 

All 2nd-4th grade applicants will take the test individually at Westminster, their test takes about 1 ½ hours.


 

Are there breaks during the test?

Yes, there are two five-minute breaks, one after the second section of the test, and the other after the fourth section of the test.


 

What may I take with me to the exam?

You should take pencils and pens, as it says on your ISEE Verification Letter. You may also take a small snack to consume only during the breaks. Many schools provide snacks, but they are not required to do so. Do not bring cell phones, beepers, calculators, books, scrap paper, or anything else with you. If a student does not comply, he or she will be excused from the testing and the test will be invalidated.

My child is ill. What do I do?

If your child is sick, you should use your best judgement as ISEE strives for optimal testing conditions. A student may not test more than once in a six-month period. If you need to postpone testing due to illness, please call the ISEE Operations Office at 1-800-446-0320.


 

My child cannot go to the test that day and I need to change the test date. What do I do?

You should call the ISEE Operations Office as soon as possible to reschedule testing. There is a $15 fee for change of test site and/or test date. If you wish to cancel the exam, please call the ISEE Operations Office within four weeks of your scheduled test for a refund. All refunds have a $15 processing fee deducted. 


 

In the event of inclement weather, how do I find out if the test will be held?

Call the ISEE test site directly, check the school's website, or monitor local television stations to see if they will be holding or rescheduling the test.

What if I cannot come to Westminster to take the ISEE?

With the most testing options of any private school entrance exam, including online, paper-based, and at-home administrations, ISEE is also the most flexible assessment option for select families. Please call our admission office for help with alternate plans to take the ISEE. 

Is there test prep available?

While not a necessary step, Test Innovators provides engaging, interactive preparation tools to help every ISEE registrant fully demonstrate their academic abilities on the test. With multiple program tiers to choose from, including a free trial version, every student can prepare for success with Test Innovators—no matter where they live.  Click here for more information.

Are the online and paper tests different?
Online Test Format: All Levels 

Online tests are available for all levels. Test questions are presented on a testing device and multiple-choice responses are marked on a testing device. The essay portion of the test is typed. Scratch paper and pencils are provided by the test site.

Paper Test Format: Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels

Paper tests are available only for students entering Grades 5 - 12 (Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels). Test questions are presented in a test booklet and multiple-choice responses are bubbled on a separate answer document using a #2 or HB pencil. Blank space in the test booklet may be used as scratch paper. Students handwrite the essay in the space provided on the answer sheet, using a black or blue ballpoint pen. Erasable pens are permitted.