ISEE & SSAT Tutoring
The ISEE and SSAT aptitude tests are very different to school exams. We are highly experienced at tutoring ISEE and SSAT, and help numerous students gain places at American schools in the UK, and to elite schools in America.
ISEE & SSAT Tutoring
The ISEE and SSAT aptitude tests are very different to school exams. We are highly experienced at tutoring ISEE and SSAT, and help numerous students gain places at American schools in the UK, and to elite schools in America.
ISEE & SSAT
What are ISEE & SSAT?
The ISEE is used for application to independent secondary schools in the United States. There are three levels of the ISEE depending on whether a student is applying for entrance to Grades 5/6, 7/8 or 9-12. The ISEE assesses verbal and quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and mathematics. There is also an essay component that is sent to the schools to which a student is applying. The exam lasts between 2 hours and 20 minutes and 2 hours and 40 minutes.
The Secondary Schools Admissions Test (SSAT) is another examination that is used for application to secondary schools. It assesses the reading, writing, and mathematical skills of students. It is divided into two test types, lower and middle/upper, depending upon the age of the student.
These exams are excellent preparation for the SAT exams that students take in the 10th and 11th grade; indeed, many of our students have gone on to excel in the SATs. Nonetheless, it can be very difficult to choose between the two exams. We have therfore compiled a helpful guide on the differences between the ISEE and the SSAT and our recommendations on how to choose between them, if given the choice.
Our Experience & Approach
At Wentworth Education we have extensive experience teaching in the US syllabus, from ISEE and SSAT up to SAT, SAT II and AP. Katherine Wiles, one of our founders, has been tutoring the ISEE and SSAT since 2008, helping students in both America and the UK.
Our impressive track record at ISEE and SSAT tutoring has helped all of our students get into their first choice secondary schools. In London, we have tutored children whose families are moving out to America and need to transition to the American syllabus as well as children who are applying to an American school in the UK.
Our approach to ISEE and SSAT preparation is highly rigorous. Our tutors strike the right balance between engaging discussions and intensive problem-solving. Most of all, our tutors are experts in building up their students confidence and exam technique. We run practice tests, diagnose issues, and provide tactical advice strategies to maximise individual student performance on the day.
Testing & Monitoring Progress
We find the most important part of preparing for a test is to be comfortable with the format and the types of questions asked. This can be a particular challenge to students transferring from the UK syllabus or an international syllabus.
Therefore, we have teamed up with ISEE Practice Test and SSAT Practice Test, an online platform. With ISEE Practice Test we can organise our students one or more practice tests online. The student, you the parent, and our tutor will be able to see diagnostics of test performance and areas of relative strength and weakness against the population. We monitor accuracy and speed of answering by individual question and question type. Our tutors use this insight to tailor their tutoring to the individual needs of your child and with the multiple tests available track improving performance. Parents and students find this resource invaluable in identifying problem areas such as slow question reading or inappropriate time spent trying to solve the most difficult questions at the expense of others.
Selected ISEE & SSAT Testimonials
Please see below some example ISEE & SSAT Testimonials that we have received. If you would like to hear more, you may be interested to read about our tutor guarantee or to read about Wentworth Tutors' philosophy and approach in a letter to parents from Dr Katherine Wiles, our Founder. Alternatively, some more ISEE & SSAT Testimonials can be found on our dedicated testimonials page, where you can filter by subject.
Selected Profiles of our ISEE & SSAT Tutors
Please see below some example profiles of the ISEE & SSAT Tutors that we represent. If you would like to hear more, you may be interested to read about our tutor selection criteria or to read about Wentworth Tutors' philosophy and approach in a letter to parents from Dr Katherine Wiles, our Founder. Alternatively, some more profiles of our ISEE & SSAT Tutors can be found on our dedicated tutors page, where you can filter by subject.
Isabel Elson – Private Tutor in New York
I grew up in London, and was in school at Godolphin and Latymer before deciding to head to the US to attend Phillips Academy, Andover for high school. I then went on to study History of Art at Harvard University where I graduated magna cum laude with high honors. After two years working at an art gallery in New York, I returned to London where I received my Master's degree at the Courtauld Institute of Art. I have since returned to New York where I am working toward my PhD at CUNY Graduate Center.
Throughout my education I have benefitted form tutoring to help me achieve my academic goals and I understand how effective one-on-one teaching can be in preparing for big tests, catching up in a specific subject, and also building confidence. I am particularly experienced in helping students prepare for US independent and boarding school entrance examinations (ISEE, SSAT) and in working with students who need help with their personal essays or general applications for boarding school or university. As an alumni admission representative at Phillips Academy, I have worked with many students who are working on preparing applications to boarding schools and enjoy helping them to identify their strengths and use those to build a strong application. ...
Sophia Ohler – Private Tutor in London
I'm originally from New York, and have been living in London for a bit over a year now. After graduating from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Creative Writing (Cum Laude), I received my Master's degree from the London Film School. I've been privately tutoring for years, as a peer tutor on Harvard's campus with the Bureau of Study Council, as well as with private agencies. I also have extensive experience as an Admissions Representative in the Harvard Admissions Office. I specialise in the American curriculum and US College Counselling, but know and work with the English curriculum as well. ...
Fenella Chesterfield – Professional Teacher in London and Cambridge
I am a home-schooling specialist and trained teacher, with a Cambridge first-class degree and experience working at a top UK boarding school. Having taught classes of students of wide-ranging abilities, I am aware of the importance of catering for the specific needs of individuals; this is what primarily draws me to tutoring. There is nothing more satisfying than having the time to sit and work through the challenges that a particular student is facing, one-to-one. As a teacher, I know the value that this can add to both their achievement and also their enjoyment of schoolwork. So often seemingly overwhelming problems are born of a simple misunderstanding which can be quickly ironed out within individual tutor time, and I thoroughly enjoy getting to know the individual learning styles and interests of my students. ...
Catriona Ramsay – Private Tutor in Hong Kong and Singapore
I graduated from Cambridge University (Newnham College) with a 2:1 in Social Anthropology (and a 1st in Development Studies) in 2009. I have been tutoring private clients since 2005 in subjects ranging from English, Maths, English as foreign language, Interview Technique and Preparation, Test & Exam Preparation and Mentoring. However, my current focus and speciality is tutoring students for all levels of the ISEE and SSAT test as well as tutoring the 11+ and 13+ entrance exams. As a child, I attended the Chinese International School in Hong Kong and Alice Smith International School in Kuala Lumpur and then boarded at school in the UK as an overseas student. As a consequence, I particularly enjoy working with students based in Asia applying to international schools and preparing them for the cultural and curriculum adjustment of becoming an overseas student. I am now based in Singapore and tutor students of all ages here and in Hong Kong primarily. I have an excellent track record of increasing test scores and helping tutees to have the confidence and ability to achieve the grades required for their desired schools whilst also acting as a mentor throughout the preparation process. ...
Itai Farhi – Professional Teacher in Central London
After finishing two degrees from Stanford and Kingston Universities (covering a range of topics from philosophy of religion and mathematics to critical theory) I am now preparing to teach philosophy in prisons and studying to become a psychoanalyst. ...
Samara Melwani – Private Tutor in Central London
I am a driven and enthusiastic tutor with over 8 years of tutoring experience. I have a passion for learning, and am currently completing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at UCL.
Given my academic background, I have experience teaching GCSE, A level and undergraduate level Psychology. I also have experience tutoring creative writing, English literature / language, and maths.
I have spent time training and working at The Princeton Review in New York where I taught English as a second language to children and adults, and worked with highly driven students on US boarding school and university test preparation (SSATs, SATs, ACTs). I have a specialized knowledge of US higher education.
I have spent time working in a private children’s therapy clinic, and my career has lent itself to working with students with a diverse range of learning styles, including working with students with special learning needs (i.e. ADHD, autism spectrum, dyslexia / dyspraxia / dyscalculia etc).
I hold an MA in Clinical Psychology, and a BA in Sociology from the University of Toronto. I believe in recognising the unique potential in each of the students I work with. ...
Nicolas Pimpare – Private Tutor in London Southbank
I was brought up in Paris and moved to London to study at Imperial College, where I obtained a Bachelor’s and Master's degree in Theoretical Physics with High First Class honours. My research focused on the way in which alternative logic systems can help us bridge the gap between quantum mechanics and relativity. I was awarded Associateship of the Royal College of Science.
Although I am a science specialist, I also have a strong background in English and Verbal Reasoning. I sat the GRE in 2016 for entrance to US Grad School and got exceptionally good grades (Verbal Reasoning - 99th percentile, Analytical Writing - 93rd percentile).
Since 2011, I have offered private tuition for all major examination boards as well as working for the Imperial College summer schools. ...
Scarlett M – Private Tutor in London
I have experience teaching a range of ages, both privately part-time and in full time employment as a teacher at Hurstpierpoint College, where I worked for a year before starting my degree at Oxford University. I have a particular interest in entrance into the UK's top schools and Universities, teaching 11 plus, Common Entrance, and preparing students for Oxbridge. I am aided by a detailed understanding of UK independent schools as well as experience preparing for the American education system at ISEE and SSAT level in particular. I have delivered private tuition to children between 5 and 20 years. I find tutoring immensely rewarding and particularly enjoy the focused nature of assisting an individual with their academic goals. ...
Claire Wilkinson – Private Tutor in London
I'm a graduate medical student at King's College London, having previously studied Biomedical Science as an undergraduate at Imperial College London.
I have experience in teaching maths, biology and the ISEE. In addition, I've spent time working with children as a nanny, and volunteering at youth and children's groups, both in the UK and abroad. I am passionate about releasing the potential in every student, with a particular focus on building confidence and nurturing a love of learning. ...
Lily Edwards – Private Tutor in South West London
I am a graduate of Durham University, where I completed a BA in English and Philosophy. Although I went to university in the UK, I grew up in New York, and completed all of my schooling in America. I attended one of the top boarding schools in the country, Groton School, on an academic scholarship. I took the SAT and AP exams, earning some of the highest scores in my class for both. I have been tutoring since the age of 15, as part of a tutoring program at Groton. I continued at university for English and Philosophy students, and post-graduation, here in London. Having attended both US and UK education systems, I understand and can work with both curriculums, especially with school and university entrance exams and processes. ...