What is the difference between ISEE and SSAT, and which should my child take?

Both tests include a verbal section, but the ISEE  includes synonyms and sentence completion, while the SSAT focuses more on synonyms and analogies, which can often require a broader, out-of-context vocabulary. In math, the ISEE tends to have a slightly wider range of more advanced topics, and there is less time per question. A big difference is the scoring: the ISEE has no guessing penalty, so it’s always best to answer every question, whereas the SSAT has a quarter-point deduction for incorrect answers, meaning strategic guessing is crucial. For Luxembourg students aiming for US boarding schools or day schools, understanding these nuances can really make a difference in which test they’ll naturally perform better on.

The best way to figure out which one your child should take really depends on the specific schools your child is applying to. Some schools prefer one over the other, or they might accept both. If they accept both, we typically recommend a diagnostic test for each so we can see which exam plays more to your child’s strengths.