100+ Free ISEE Upper Level Practice Questions
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Read the passage below, then answer the question. Passage: The ocean covers more than 70 percent of Earth's surface, yet more than 80 percent of it remains unexplored. Scientists estimate that there may be millions of species in the deep sea that have never been catalogued. The pressure at the ocean floor can reach more than 1,000 times the atmospheric pressure at sea level, making exploration technically challenging. Recent advances in remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) have allowed researchers to document bioluminescent creatures, bizarre geological formations, and hydrothermal vent ecosystems that support life without sunlight. According to the passage, which of the following best explains why the deep ocean has been so difficult to explore?
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Key Facts: ISEE Upper Level Exam
760–940
Scaled score range per section
ERB ISEE Quick Facts Guide 2025–2026
160
Total scored multiple-choice questions across 4 sections
ERB ISEE Upper Level What to Expect Guide
2h 40m
Total test time (plus two 5–10 minute breaks)
ERB erblearn.org
No penalty
Wrong-answer deduction (guess freely)
ERB ISEE scoring policy
Stanines 1–9
Comparative score scale used by schools
ERB ISEE Score Reports
$190–$225
Registration fee depending on testing format
ERB erblearn.org registration page, 2025–2026
The ISEE Upper Level is produced by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) and accepted by hundreds of independent secondary schools across the United States and internationally. Students applying to enter grades 9–12 take this version of the test. The exam's 160 scored questions are completed in 2 hours and 40 minutes, and each of the four scored sections is scored on a scale of 760–940 with stanines 1–9 reported. Because schools set their own admissions benchmarks, there is no single passing score. The unscored Essay is sent directly to schools as a writing sample. Approximately one in five Upper Level test-takers retake the exam within the same admission cycle. (Source: ERB erblearn.org, ISEE Quick Facts Guide 2025–2026.)
Sample ISEE Upper Level Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your ISEE Upper Level exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1EXORBITANT most nearly means
2AUSTERE most nearly means
3PERFIDIOUS most nearly means
4LOQUACIOUS most nearly means
5EPHEMERAL most nearly means
6AMELIORATE most nearly means
7TACITURN most nearly means
8BENEVOLENT most nearly means
9VERBOSE most nearly means
10PRAGMATIC most nearly means
About the ISEE Upper Level Exam
The ISEE Upper Level is administered by ERB to students in grades 8–11 applying to independent high schools (entering grades 9–12). It consists of four scored multiple-choice sections — Verbal Reasoning (40 questions), Quantitative Reasoning (37 questions), Reading Comprehension (36 questions), and Mathematics Achievement (47 questions) — plus an unscored 30-minute Essay. No points are deducted for wrong answers.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
2 hours 40 minutes (plus two 5–10 minute breaks)
Passing Score
Scaled score range 760–940 per section; stanines 1–9; no universal passing threshold — schools set individual benchmarks
Exam Fee
$190–$225 (varies by testing format: Prometric centers ~$190, ERB offices ~$225) (Educational Records Bureau (ERB))
ISEE Upper Level Exam Content Outline
Verbal Reasoning
Synonyms (20 questions) and sentence completions (20 questions, including two-blank items). Advanced vocabulary and logical sentence analysis tested at a high-school entrance level.
Quantitative Reasoning
Math word problems and quantitative comparisons (determine which of two quantities is greater, equal, or if the relationship cannot be determined). Emphasizes mathematical reasoning over calculation.
Reading Comprehension
Six multi-paragraph passages across literary, scientific, historical, and social-studies genres, each followed by 6 questions on main idea, inference, author's purpose, vocabulary in context, and evidence.
Mathematics Achievement
Knowledge-based math: arithmetic, algebra (linear equations, systems, quadratics, functions), coordinate geometry, plane geometry, data analysis, and probability at the 8th–11th grade level.
Essay
30-minute handwritten response to a preselected prompt. Not included in the scaled score but sent to schools alongside test results as a writing sample.
How to Pass the ISEE Upper Level Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Scaled score range 760–940 per section; stanines 1–9; no universal passing threshold — schools set individual benchmarks
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: 2 hours 40 minutes (plus two 5–10 minute breaks)
- Exam fee: $190–$225 (varies by testing format: Prometric centers ~$190, ERB offices ~$225)
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 Upper Level Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
Who takes the ISEE Upper Level?
Students currently in grades 8–11 who are applying to independent high schools and seeking to enter grades 9–12 take the ISEE Upper Level. It is administered by ERB and is accepted by hundreds of independent schools in the U.S. and internationally.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers on the ISEE Upper Level?
No. The ISEE Upper Level has no wrong-answer penalty — students receive one point for each correct answer and zero points for wrong or skipped answers. It is always better to guess than to leave a question blank.
How is the ISEE Upper Level scored?
Each of the four scored sections (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement) receives a scaled score between 760 and 940. Each section is also reported as a stanine (1–9) compared to other students in the same grade applying to independent schools.
How many times can a student take the ISEE?
A student may take the ISEE once per testing season (fall, winter, spring/summer). Schools typically receive scores from the most recent administration and, in some cases, all scores within a single academic year.
What topics does the ISEE Upper Level Math Achievement section cover?
The Mathematics Achievement section covers arithmetic operations, fractions and percentages, algebra (linear equations, systems, quadratics, functions), geometry (triangles, circles, coordinate geometry, 3D shapes), and data analysis including mean, median, mode, and basic probability — roughly 8th–11th grade content.
How is the ISEE Upper Level different from the Middle Level?
The Upper Level tests more advanced content — it includes two-blank sentence completions in Verbal Reasoning (absent at Middle Level), more complex algebraic and geometric content in Mathematics Achievement, and more sophisticated analytical reading passages. The overall question counts and time limits are the same.