Best ISEE Prep Courses of 2026

When it comes to helping your child master the information they need to succeed on the Independent Schools Entrance Exam (ISEE), working with experienced test prep providers can significantly improve both their test-taking skills and their chances of being accepted into a leading private school. But with so many different prep courses and learning options out there, how do you know what’s best for your child? We’ve done the research for you and taken all the guesswork out of finding the best ISEE prep courses. In this guide, you’ll find options for every learning style, budget, and study timeline, including on-demand video learning and live online instruction, for the Lower, Middle, and Upper Level exams.

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Test Innovators

Test Innovators was founded in 2012 to help students prepare for independent school entrance exams. Over the years, the company has become synonymous with ISEE preparation, as they are the only company to officially partner with ERB, publisher of the ISEE. Test Innovators offers several highly recommended ISEE prep options:

  • Crash Course for Lower, Middle, and Upper Level ($275): this option includes a 3-hour, online course with no more than 15 students focused on learning key test-taking strategies for each section of the ISEE.
  • Subject Classes for Lower, Middle, and Upper Level ($185): this option includes a 2-hour, online course with no more than 15 students focused on specific content domains in either English, Math, or Writing.
  • On-Demand Crash Course for Lower, Middle, and Upper Level ($175): this option includes 5 on-demand videos and more than 40 practice questions.
  • Summer Prep Course for Lower, Middle, and Upper Level ($999): this option includes a one-week, virtual course with no more than 12 students. Students learn core strategies and skills while using ISEE-specific content. Students have 3 class hours each day, plus 1 hour of homework. On the final day of the course, students take a mock ISEE exam. Also included are 7 full-length practice tests, 60+ video lessons, and more than 2,200 practice exercises.

In reviews, parents and students praised the realistic practice tests and immediate scoring process. Detailed analytics allowed for targeted skill building and were noted to be helpful in improving specific areas of weakness. The online platform was described as user friendly, easy to use, and full of helpful tools. As the only officially endorsed ISEE prep company, all of Test Innovators materials are vetted by ERB, which gave parents peace of mind with regards to the quality of the practice questions and practice tests.

Some reviews expressed a desire for a lower cost of the Summer Prep Course, although even with the price, many parents felt that the course was worth it for their child.

Best for: students seeking a realistic test-taking experience to reduce anxiety and students seeking comprehensive and engaging test prep.

Not the best for: students who learn best in one-on-one settings or students who struggle to maintain focus while learning online.

Excel Test

Excel Test was founded in 2003 as a way to help students achieve success on standardized tests. Since then, the company has grown in popularity, particularly when it comes to ISEE preparation, helping them become a trusted and recommended source of quality preparation for exams. Excel Test offers several ISEE prep course options:

  • ISEE Lower Level Online Course ($699): this option includes 12 video lectures of 3-4 hours each for 36 hours in total, 4 ISEE practice tests, computerized grading for all tests, a physical copy of the Excel Test ISEE Lower Level Course Manual, and online access for 4 months.
  • ISEE Middle Level Online Course ($699): this option includes 12 video lectures of 3-4 hours each, 4 ISEE practice tests, computerized grading for all tests, a physical copy of the Excel Test ISEE Middle Level Course Manual, and online access for 4 months.
  • ISEE Upper Level Online Course ($1,299): this option includes 8 lecture videos of 3 hours each, 4 ISEE practice tests, computerized grading for all tests, free online essay grading, a physical copy of the Excel Test ISEE Upper Level Course Manual, and access to all materials for 4 months.
  • ISEE Live Online Classroom Course – Upper Level ($1,449): this option includes 12 sessions completed online with a live instructor, 4 ISEE practice tests with computerized feedback, and a physical copy of the Excel Test ISEE Upper Level Course Manual.

In reviews, the courses were described as being comprehensive and packed with information. Instructors were reported to be experienced and knowledgeable, with a focus on offering tailored learning strategies. Parents appreciated the focus on teaching effective test-taking techniques, as well as the focus on reducing their child’s test-related anxiety. The proprietary course materials were noted to be thorough, easy to understand, and an excellent supplement to the video lessons.

Some reviews noted that the website was not particularly modern or easy to access, and some parents mentioned having to call the company to register their child for the correct prep course as they had difficulty finding where to purchase the course and register online.

Best for: older students, students who learn best through both text- and video-based lessons, and younger students who can maintain focus for self-directed study.

Not the best for: younger students who require the structure and accountability of live instruction.

Kaplan

Kaplan is an instantly recognizable name in the test prep industry. The company was founded as a tutoring service in 1938, and since then it has grown into a global educational services provider offering test prep, private tutoring, admissions counseling, and much more. Kaplan offers one ISEE prep course option:

  • Self-Paced for Middle or Upper Level ($299): this option includes an online prep course available 24/7, a comprehensive prep course book, quizzes with realistic practice questions, full-length practice tests, and an online proctoring companion.

In reviews, parents praised the on-demand, teacher-led videos as high-quality and engaging. The practice questions were reported to mimic those on the real exam, and the essay prompts were reported to be very realistic. Students described the structured approach of the prep course as being easy to follow, and parents appreciated the focus on understanding test content and time management, as well as mastering test-taking techniques.

Some students did not like the combined nature of the course, which includes material for both Middle and Upper Level exams. Other reviews felt that this prep course was best for beginners but didn’t offer much for students performing well who want to do even better.

Best for: students who don’t mind skipping through parts of lessons that don’t pertain to them or students who are complete beginners when it comes to ISEE prep.

Not the best for: students already achieving strong scores who want to keep improving or students who learn best with material specific to their Middle or Upper Level exam.

Piqosity

Piqosity was founded by Shelby Joe in 2016 as a way to democratize educational publishing and personalize the student learning experience. In the decade since, the company has developed a devoted following by offering classes in math and English, as well as prep for the ISEE, ACT, and SAT. The company offers three ISEE prep course options:

  • On-Track for Lower, Middle, and Upper Level (free): this option includes a mini diagnostic test, 2 practice exams, 150 personalized practice questions, concept review lessons, a virtual tutor, adaptive question difficulty, 4 AI-scored essay submissions, score prediction and score reports, strengths and weaknesses analysis, and gamified practice.
  • Honors for Lower, Middle, and Upper Level ($99): this option includes a mini diagnostic test, 6 practice tests, 300 personalized practice questions, concept review lessons, premium 7-hour video course (Upper Level only), a virtual tutor, adaptive question difficulty, 30 AI-scored essay submissions, score prediction and score reports, strengths and weaknesses analysis, and gamified practice.
  • Advance for Lower, Middle, and Upper Level ($199): this option includes a mini diagnostic test, 12 practice tests, over 900 personalized practice questions, concept review lessons, premium 7-hour video course (Upper Level only), all Math courses for grades 5-11, all English courses for grades 5-11, a virtual tutor, 60 AI-scored essay submissions, score prediction and score reports, strengths and weaknesses analysis, and gamified practice.

In reviews, both parents and students praised how effective and comprehensive Piqosity lessons were, with students noting that what they studied through the prep course thoroughly prepared them for their exam. The platform was described as modern, intuitive, and easy to use. Practice questions reportedly mimicked the difficulty of real test questions, and the detailed explanations were straightforward and useful, as was the emphasis on identifying strengths and targeting areas of weakness. The adaptive practice questions were noted to be especially helpful, and test-takers and parents appreciated the personalized study opportunities. Piqosity was noted to work well when delivered by a third-party tutor, and many parents reported hiring a tutor to use the online course to help their child prepare for the ISEE.

Some reviews expressed a desire for live online instruction options.

Best for: students who learn best through on-demand video and text explanations, those who feel better taking several practice tests, or those preparing on a budget.

Not the best for: students who benefit from the accountability and structure of live instruction or those who already possess a solid foundation of test-related knowledge.

Conclusion

When it comes to helping your child prepare for the ISEE, there are many options available, including on-demand video lessons, prep books, and live online instruction. Every child learns differently, so we have included a variety of ISEE prep courses to ensure there is one to fit any budget, learning style, or study timeline. All prices quoted were accurate at the time of writing, but we encourage interested parents to visit the provided websites, as some companies frequently offer sales or seasonal discounts. With the help of this guide, you can make an informed decision and find the best prep course to help your child master the ISEE and attend a prestigious private school.dddd