ISEE / SSAT: Which Test Should My Child Take – ISEE or SSAT – and When Should S/he Take It?

Anthony-James Green, New York's top ISEE and SSAT tutor, knows.  He and I are currently writing a brief guide to taking the ISEE and SSAT for private high school and middle school admission. If your child will be taking the ISEE or SSAT, now is the time to start thinking about math and verbal prep.  … Continue reading ISEE / SSAT: Which Test Should My Child Take – ISEE or SSAT – and When Should S/he Take It?

Kindergarten ERB / WPPSI IV Test Prep Kit Nonverbal Section: Best ERB Toys and Books

Parents tend to worry about the non-verbal section of the ERB / WPPSI test used in NYC private school kindergarten admission. "No question Joe is verbal.  But non-verbal? What is that ERB section anyway?" The ERB / WPPSI IV non-verbal section tests children's short term memory, processing speed and accuracy, and reasoning skills.  In April … Continue reading Kindergarten ERB / WPPSI IV Test Prep Kit Nonverbal Section: Best ERB Toys and Books

How Do You Choose an Excellent ISEE or SSAT Tutor?

I've been helping students get into top Manhattan, Brooklyn, Riverdale, and Westchester private high schools and middle schools for over twelve years.  Before that, for five years I worked at a well-known national test prep tutoring company. Through these experiences, I've had the opportunity to meet many tutors.  Some were academics who knew subject matter … Continue reading How Do You Choose an Excellent ISEE or SSAT Tutor?

Manhattan Overflowing with Gifted Preschoolers, Naturally

Barbara Martinez of The Wall Street Journal today addresses the growth in the number of children testing as gifted:  Parents Fret as Kids Seek 'Gifted' Status  Martinez writes that the number of incoming kindergarteners taking the OLSAT and Bracken to get into NYC G & T programs increased by 13%, as did the number of children … Continue reading Manhattan Overflowing with Gifted Preschoolers, Naturally

How Do You Get Into Top NYC Private High Schools and Middle Schools?

What exactly do top private high schools and middle schools want from applicants? In short, private high schools and middle schools want students who have it all: • Top ERB (ISEE) or SSAT scores• Excellent grades• Strong extracurriculars• Impressive student interviews• Well written and interesting essays As you might expect, private schools look for the … Continue reading How Do You Get Into Top NYC Private High Schools and Middle Schools?

ERB (ISEE): When Should I Take the ERB (ISEE) to Get Into a NYC Private High School or Middle School?

Generally, it's best to take the ERB (ISEE) in December.  The ISEE is an academic-based test, the more you have learned, the better you do.  You're graded against a same-grade based peer group. From the ERB, the people who administer the ISEE: It is important to note that the ISEE may not be taken for … Continue reading ERB (ISEE): When Should I Take the ERB (ISEE) to Get Into a NYC Private High School or Middle School?

More on ERB (ISEE) Scoring Mistake

Thank you to Abacus Mom reader Al Binetti, who wrote in today with an interesting ISEE question: Glad to see that your students got in. Funny, if the test is so unimportant why do they give it, and why do they give ERB President Dr. David Clune close to $400,000 per year in total compensation … Continue reading More on ERB (ISEE) Scoring Mistake

ISEE for NYC Middle School and High School: It’s a Little Late Now: ISEE Misgraded

Sarah Maslin Nir of The New York Times reports that 7,000 students received incorrect grades from the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) on their Lower Level or Upper Level ISEE exam.  7,000 Private School Applicants Got Incorrect Scores, Company Says Funny that caught in this embarrassing situation, the ERB played down the importance of the ISEE: Parents of the … Continue reading ISEE for NYC Middle School and High School: It’s a Little Late Now: ISEE Misgraded

More Top Educational / ERB Prep Toys for Preschoolers Applying to Kindergarten

Parents keep asking me for my top picks for educational toys for preschoolers. Parents seek educational toys that can help with NYC private school kindergarten interviews, ERB and WPPSI prep, and oh yes, learning.  If you already own the ubiquitous Brain Quest and MightyMind and are now looking for exciting new educational toys, here are some less well-known games … Continue reading More Top Educational / ERB Prep Toys for Preschoolers Applying to Kindergarten