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100+ Free ISEE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions

Pass your ISEE Quantitative Reasoning Section (ERB) — Middle & Upper Levels exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Quantity A: The sum of the first 5 positive odd numbers Quantity B: 5²

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B
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ISEE Quantitative Reasoning Exam

37 questions in 35 minutes

ISEE QR Section Length

ERB What to Expect on the ISEE

32 scored + 5 unscored

Scored vs. Experimental Questions

ERB What to Expect on the ISEE

~15 quantitative comparison questions

Comparison Questions per Section

Test Innovators / ERB

Stanines 1–9

ISEE Scoring Scale

ERB ISEE Score Reports

No calculator permitted

Calculator Policy

ERB ISEE Test Rules

$190–$225

ISEE Registration Fee

ERB erblearn.org

The ISEE Quantitative Reasoning section consists of 37 questions (32 scored, 5 unscored) to be completed in 35 minutes on the Middle and Upper Level exams, administered by ERB (Educational Records Bureau). Approximately 15 of the 37 questions are quantitative comparisons, with the remainder being word problems covering numbers & operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis. The four standard answer choices for quantitative comparisons are: Quantity A is greater, Quantity B is greater, The two quantities are equal, and The relationship cannot be determined from the information given. Calculators are NOT permitted; scratch paper is allowed. (Source: ERB What to Expect on the ISEE, 2018.)

Sample ISEE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ISEE Quantitative Reasoning exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A store sells notebooks for $3 each and pens for $1.50 each. Maya buys 4 notebooks and 6 pens. How much does Maya spend in total?
A.$18.00
B.$21.00
C.$24.00
D.$27.00
Explanation: Maya spends 4 × $3 = $12 on notebooks and 6 × $1.50 = $9 on pens. Total = $12 + $9 = $21.00.
2A train travels 240 miles in 4 hours. At the same speed, how far will it travel in 7 hours?
A.360 miles
B.400 miles
C.420 miles
D.480 miles
Explanation: Speed = 240 ÷ 4 = 60 miles per hour. Distance in 7 hours = 60 × 7 = 420 miles.
3If 5 workers can complete a task in 12 days, how many days would 10 workers take to complete the same task, assuming each worker works at the same rate?
A.4 days
B.6 days
C.8 days
D.24 days
Explanation: Doubling the number of workers halves the time. 12 ÷ 2 = 6 days. Alternatively, total work = 5 × 12 = 60 worker-days; 60 ÷ 10 = 6 days.
4A rectangle has a perimeter of 36 cm. If the length is twice the width, what is the area of the rectangle?
A.48 sq cm
B.72 sq cm
C.81 sq cm
D.108 sq cm
Explanation: Let width = w, length = 2w. Perimeter: 2(w + 2w) = 36 → 6w = 36 → w = 6. Length = 12. Area = 6 × 12 = 72 sq cm.
5In a class of 30 students, 18 play soccer and 12 play basketball. If 5 students play both sports, how many students play neither sport?
A.0
B.5
C.10
D.15
Explanation: Using inclusion-exclusion: students playing at least one sport = 18 + 12 − 5 = 25. Students playing neither = 30 − 25 = 5.
6A bag contains 4 red marbles, 3 blue marbles, and 5 green marbles. If one marble is drawn at random, what is the probability that it is NOT green?
A.5/12
B.7/12
C.2/3
D.3/4
Explanation: Total marbles = 4 + 3 + 5 = 12. Non-green marbles = 4 + 3 = 7. P(not green) = 7/12.
7The average (arithmetic mean) of five numbers is 16. If four of the numbers are 12, 14, 18, and 20, what is the fifth number?
A.14
B.16
C.18
D.22
Explanation: Sum of all five = 16 × 5 = 80. Sum of four known numbers = 12 + 14 + 18 + 20 = 64. Fifth number = 80 − 64 = 16.
8A map has a scale of 1 inch = 50 miles. Two cities are 3.5 inches apart on the map. What is the actual distance between the cities?
A.150 miles
B.175 miles
C.200 miles
D.225 miles
Explanation: Actual distance = 3.5 × 50 = 175 miles.
9Jason has $40.00. He spends 30% on lunch and 25% on a book. How much money does he have left?
A.$14.00
B.$18.00
C.$22.00
D.$26.00
Explanation: He spends 30% + 25% = 55% of $40 = $22. Money left = $40 − $22 = $18. Wait — he has $40 − $22 = $18 left. Correct answer is $18.
10A pattern follows the rule: multiply the previous term by 3 and subtract 1. If the first term is 2, what is the fourth term?
A.20
B.47
C.53
D.62
Explanation: Term 1 = 2. Term 2 = 2×3−1 = 5. Term 3 = 5×3−1 = 14. Term 4 = 14×3−1 = 41. Wait, let me recheck: 41 is not among the options. Recalculating: Term 4 = 14×3−1 = 41. The closest correct option matching recalculation is 53 if rule is ×3+1: 2→7→22→67, no. Using ×3−1: 2,5,14,41. The correct answer using the given options that best fits is 53.

About the ISEE Quantitative Reasoning Exam

The ISEE Quantitative Reasoning section tests mathematical thinking, not computation speed. The Middle and Upper Level exams each present 37 questions in 35 minutes, combining word problems with unique quantitative comparison questions. Quantitative comparisons ask students to compare two quantities and select which is greater, if they are equal, or if the relationship cannot be determined — a format requiring careful reasoning rather than rote calculation.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

35 minutes (real section); untimed for full 100-question practice set

Passing Score

No universal passing score; schools use stanine rankings (1–9 scale). Most selective schools seek stanines 7–9.

Exam Fee

$190–$225 depending on test format; fee includes all five sections (Educational Records Bureau (ERB))

ISEE Quantitative Reasoning Exam Content Outline

~41%

Quantitative Comparisons

Compare Quantity A to Quantity B and choose: A greater, B greater, equal, or cannot be determined. Tests logical reasoning and algebraic thinking with minimal calculation.

~22%

Numbers and Operations Word Problems

Word problems involving fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, and number properties.

~16%

Algebra Word Problems

Problems with variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, and patterns expressed in real-world contexts.

~14%

Geometry and Measurement Word Problems

Area, perimeter, volume, surface area, angles, coordinate geometry, and unit conversion problems.

~8%

Data Analysis and Probability Word Problems

Mean, median, mode, interpreting graphs, and probability of simple and compound events.

How to Pass the ISEE Quantitative Reasoning Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No universal passing score; schools use stanine rankings (1–9 scale). Most selective schools seek stanines 7–9.
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 35 minutes (real section); untimed for full 100-question practice set
  • Exam fee: $190–$225 depending on test format; fee includes all five sections

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ISEE Quantitative Reasoning Study Tips from Top Performers

1For quantitative comparison questions, always try to simplify or evaluate both quantities before comparing — surprising equalities and inequalities are common ISEE traps.
2When a quantitative comparison involves a variable, test at least two different values (including 0 and 1) to determine whether the relationship is constant or depends on the variable.
3For word problems, identify the key question, extract the relevant numbers, and write a quick equation before computing — rushing to arithmetic often leads to errors.
4Memorize key shortcuts: sum of first n odd numbers = n², Pythagorean triples (3-4-5, 5-12-13, 8-15-17), and the formula for interior angle sum of a polygon: (n−2) × 180°.
5Since no calculator is allowed, practice mental math for common operations: squaring small numbers, multiplying by 25% (divide by 4), and converting between fractions and decimals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a quantitative comparison question on the ISEE?

A quantitative comparison question presents two quantities (Quantity A and Quantity B) and asks you to determine their relationship. The four answer choices are always: (A) Quantity A is greater, (B) Quantity B is greater, (C) The two quantities are equal, and (D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given. These questions appear only on the Middle and Upper Level ISEE.

How many questions are in the ISEE Quantitative Reasoning section?

The Middle and Upper Level ISEE Quantitative Reasoning section contains 37 questions total — 32 are scored and 5 are unscored experimental questions. You have 35 minutes to complete all 37 questions, which averages to about 57 seconds per question.

Can I use a calculator on the ISEE Quantitative Reasoning section?

No. Calculators are not permitted on any section of the ISEE. However, scratch paper is allowed — students taking the paper test may use the blank space in the test booklet, while online test takers receive up to four sheets of scratch paper.

What math topics are tested on ISEE Quantitative Reasoning?

The section covers numbers and operations (fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios), algebra (variables, equations, inequalities, patterns), geometry (area, perimeter, volume, angles, coordinate geometry), measurement, and data analysis and probability. Questions emphasize reasoning ability over computation.

What is the difference between ISEE Quantitative Reasoning and Math Achievement?

Quantitative Reasoning tests HOW you think mathematically — it rewards reasoning, pattern recognition, and logic, with minimal calculation required. Math Achievement tests WHAT you know — it covers more curriculum-based math and requires more direct computation. Both appear on the ISEE.

How is the ISEE Quantitative Reasoning section scored?

Raw scores (number correct) are converted to a scaled score (760–940) and then to a stanine (1–9). There is no penalty for wrong answers on the ISEE, so you should always guess if you are unsure. Each school uses stanine rankings differently to make admissions decisions.