Sooner than you think. The ISEE might not sound as intimidating as “AP Chemistry” or “algebraic proof,” but make no mistake—it’s a serious test that covers a lot of ground. For Washington, D.C. families applying to competitive schools, we recommend starting ISEE prep at least 4–6 months before your preferred test date. 

Why so early? Because effective prep takes time. It’s not just about learning the material—it’s about mastering timing, understanding question formats, reducing anxiety, and building stamina across five different sections. Starting early also means fewer late-night cram sessions, less stress, and more opportunities for full-length practice exams. And if your child needs to retake the test, you’ve still got time.

At Cardinal Education, we believe in prepping smart, not scrambling. Early prep sets the stage for calm, confident test-taking and significantly better results.

We’re not the “watch a video and guess your way through it” kind of tutoring service. At Cardinal Education, we deliver personalized, data-driven ISEE prep that actually works. No cookie-cutter worksheets. No generic lesson plans. We start with a diagnostic test, assess your child’s strengths and trouble spots, and build a strategy tailored specifically to them.

Whether they’re crushing reading comp but need a little math rescue, or they freeze at the essay prompt, we’ll focus where it counts. Our tutors are seasoned experts, not college students doing side gigs. They’re trained to work with students from top D.C. schools and know exactly what elite private school admissions teams expect.

We also provide detailed progress tracking, feedback after every session, and mock exams that replicate real testing conditions. In short, we don’t just prep—we partner with families to produce results. The goal isn’t just a good score. It’s a confident student who walks into test day ready to own it.

Nope—but it depends on where you’re applying. Some private schools in Washington, D.C., especially highly selective ones, still require or strongly recommend ISEE scores. Others might accept the SSAT instead. A growing number of schools have gone test-optional, especially in recent years, but here’s the truth: a strong ISEE score can still make a difference. It gives admissions officers a standardized benchmark that helps them evaluate students from different schools and academic backgrounds.

So while you technically can skip the ISEE at some schools, it’s often a missed opportunity to stand out, especially if your child tests well. The best approach? Check each school’s admissions page or ask us to help build a strategy based on your school list. We’ll tell you when to go all-in on prep and when it might be smarter to let those writing samples and transcripts do the heavy lifting. Either way, we’ve got your back.

Let’s break it down: the ISEE has five sections—Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Math Achievement, and the Essay. Sounds straightforward, right? Well, each section comes with its own quirks and curveballs. Verbal loves vocabulary that hasn’t been spoken aloud since the 1800s. Quantitative is a race against the clock. Reading tests how well your child can stay focused on long, information-heavy passages. Math Achievement digs into everything from basic operations to algebraic thinking. And then there’s the Essay: unscored, but read by admissions teams who definitely notice whether it’s coherent or chaotic.

Is it hard? That depends on prep. Without practice, even strong students can get blindsided by the timing and structure. But with expert coaching, full-length practice tests, and smart strategies (that’s where we come in), students can learn to master it. The ISEE is tough—but beatable. And no, you don’t need to memorize the dictionary. Just prep smart, breathe, and trust the process.