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We prepare students to become competitive applicants to their selected private schools. We teach them test-taking strategies to approach all test sections on the ISEE, SSAT, and HSPT by giving them practice tests, exercises, and homework. An individualized program is designed for each student to target the specific areas that they need to focus on. We use workbooks and materials that were developed by our very own CEO and are used internationally by other companies as well.
Determining which admissions test to prepare for would depend on what type of school you are applying to. Middle and high schools usually require a private school entrance exam that covers math and verbal skills as well as a writing assessment which are covered by the SSAT and/or ISEE. Private Catholic schools usually require the HSPT. Visit the school’s website to know which private school entrance exam they require and how to sign up for them.
In addition to testing, we also prepare our students for admissions. From interviews with admissions officers to providing them guidance on how they can differentiate themselves from others, we help our students present themselves in the best manner possible.
We advocate tirelessly for our students and families as we transform the lives of our students. We are equally proud to have built a model of excellence that is unrivaled in the field of private school consulting.
The ISEE is the most trusted entrance test used by independent private schools. It measures the academic readiness of students seeking admission to the primary, lower, middle, and upper schools by evaluating their skills in the core subject areas. The ISEE can only be taken once per testing season – Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer – for a total of up to three times a school year.
The table above shows the different sections and levels of the ISEE, the total number of items as well as the allotted time to answer all of the questions.
The SSAT is an admissions test used by private and independent schools for elementary, middle, and high schools. It has different levels designed for students in 3rd-11th grade. The Elementary Level is for students in 3rd and 4th grade; Middle Level, for students in 5th-7th grade; and Upper Level, for students in 8th-11th grade. It is comprised of five sections – essay, quantitative, reading, verbal, and qualitative.
There are eight testing dates in an academic year and you may register to take the test for any or all of these dates. However, you may only take the SSAT on one FLEX test date per year. A FLEX test option allows families to schedule an official test once per application cycle at their convenience.
The table above shows the different sections and levels of the SSAT, the total number of items as well as the allotted time to answer all of the questions.
The HSPT is the most commonly used high school entrance test given to 8th-grade students applying to private Catholic schools. The test is administered at individual schools and testing dates vary so contact the school ahead of time to register and get the schedule. The test may be taken only once. If applying to multiple schools, the same result will be submitted. If multiple tests are taken, the lower score is considered to be the final score.
The table above shows the different sections of the HSPT, the content of each section, the total number of items as well as the allotted time to answer all of the questions.
Before making the decision on which test to take, know which one is being required by the private school your child is applying to. If the school has no preference and accepts both tests, it is important to be informed about the differences between the tests and assess your child’s abilities. For any of these tests, we offer the ISEE practice test, SSAT practice test, and HSPT practice test to prepare your child. The SSAT and ISEE are similar in many ways: they are both composed of 5 sections that test students’ verbal, reading, quantitative, and writing skills. However, there are a few key differences between the ISEE and SSAT: ISEE – Students may register to take the ISEE up to three times in a 12-month admission cycle, once in any or all of three testing seasons. Given the timeline in the Bay Area, students will be able to take it twice, once in Fall and once in Winter. The seasons are Fall (August–November), Winter (December–March), and Spring/Summer (April–July). Please refer to the ISEE website for more details. SSAT – Students may register to take the SSAT once a month with no limit to the maximum number of tests they can register for. There is also an option for a Flex Test. A Flex Test can be taken in the same month as a normal SSAT, which means that families could take two SSATs in one month. That being said, you can only schedule one Flex Test per year. Here is the information for the SSAT Flex Test, which gives you the flexibility to sign up for an SSAT at a date that is most convenient for you. We work with the Bodin Group, which administers flex tests to many of our families. When you register for a Flex Test with Bodin, please ask for Sue and tell her that you work with us. HSPT – The HSPT can only be taken once, preferably at students’ most preferred Catholic high school. Please refer to the HSPT website for more details. Below is a chart of our general recommendation for private school test prep. The diagnostic is a strong indicator of different testing recommendations so again, double-check with our experienced consultants for special cases. Special cases can mean extremely high diagnostic scores or extremely low diagnostic scores. December – Take both ISEE and SSAT January – Take both ISEE and SSAT There is no better way to prepare for an official diagnostic test than taking a practice test that replicates testing environments and procedures. If you are interested in signing up your child for a practice test with us, kindly contact us at (888)521-5243 or email us at info@cardinaleducation.com. Both the ISEE and SSAT require students to write an essay, but it’s not graded. So why do you need to write it? A copy of the writing sample is sent to the admissions officers of the schools and will still be a differentiating factor in your application. It is a great way for schools to see how well you express yourself. and how you perform on a series of standard tasks. The essay is where you get to shine as an individual and strategically differentiate yourself from the other applicants. Schools look closely at your essay, so think of it as part of your application and take it seriously. We still believe that tests are a good way for students to differentiate themselves. Even if they are not required, if the scores are above the 90th percentile, we would still recommend that they be submitted. This allows admissions committees to have more information about your child that can help to separate them from the numerous other applicants. This holds true especially if your child does not have great grades or an impressive GPA. Our private school test preparation program is very rigorous and it is a good way for students to enrich themselves. It focuses on confidence-building and laying the foundation for future success. It is also a good way to make sure that they have covered all of the grade-level material during the school year to have better placement and better classes which would make a huge difference in their school performance. It allows them to learn valuable test-taking skills which could be very valuable throughout their academic career. Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Start (July – Early September)
Fall Start (September – November)
November – Take both ISEE and SSAT
December – Take SSAT
The next step in our process is a complimentary consultation call with a Managing Consultant, Vanessa Phan, who will break down the results of the test and outline the roadmap for the ISEE practice test, HSPT practice test, or SSAT practice test.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PRIVATE SCHOOL TEST PREP, CONTACT US!