What is the ISEE and why do U.S. private schools require it?

The ISEE is a standardized entrance exam required by many competitive private schools in the U.S., designed to test a student’s readiness for challenging academic environments. It evaluates verbal reasoning, math, reading comprehension, and writing. U.S. schools use it to compare students from different academic systems, so it’s especially important for international students to perform well. If you’re applying from Singapore, where the curriculum can vary greatly from the U.S., a strong ISEE score provides a crucial benchmark. Top U.S. schools want to see that your child can handle their pace, and the ISEE is often a first impression.