Both exams are used for private school admissions, but they’re different in structure, scoring, and style.
The ISEE feels more traditional: think fill-in-the-blank vocabulary, multiple-choice reading, and math that builds in difficulty. There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so students should guess if they’re unsure.
The SSAT includes analogies, trickier reading, and penalizes guessing: ¼ point is deducted for each wrong answer. That means strategy is key, especially when deciding when to skip.
I’ve helped students prepare for both. If you’re unsure which one fits your child better, I’d be happy to help you compare.
