Three Ways to Prepare for the ISEE
Families may choose one approach for a given level or combine several. Most Lower, Middle and Upper families choose the Fall Intensive small class, online or in person; students at the Primary levels take private tutoring. The choice is based on the results of the free assessment.
Fall Intensive Course
$1,530starting price; one module, 17 weeks
- Who it is for
- Students at the Lower, Middle, and Upper levels who are suited to the pace of a small class
- Format
- Small classes, in person in Irvine or online, once a week for 17 weeks in the fall; separate classes for three modules (Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning with Mathematics), with enrollment in one module or all three
Private Tutoring
$1501-hour trial lesson; packages start at 20 hours
- Who it is for
- All Primary 2, 3, and 4 students; students at the Lower level and above who need to strengthen a single section or cannot fit a small-class schedule
- Format
- In person or online, scheduled around each family's availability, covering vocabulary, reading, writing, mathematics, and logic
A package plan is also available: complete application services for three private schools and ISEE preparation at the corresponding level, coordinated by the same team. Prices are listed in the Fall Intensive Course section.
ISEE 17-Week Fall Intensive Course: Lower / Middle / Upper
The 17-week Fall Intensive Course is designed for students who plan to take the test before the end of 2026. Under the test rules, each school year has three testing seasons, and a student may test at most once per season. The fall course prepares students for two of these: the fall season from August to November 2026 and the winter season from December 2026 to March 2027.
VR
Verbal Reasoning
Synonyms and sentence completion, which test the breadth of a student's vocabulary and precision in distinguishing word meanings.
RC
Reading Comprehension
Main idea, details, inference, and the author's attitude in informational and literary passages.
QR + MA
Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics Achievement
Quantitative Reasoning emphasizes comparison and estimation, and Mathematics Achievement emphasizes computation and application; the two are taught together.
| Level | For | One module, 17 weeks | Three modules, 17 weeks | 3 private school applications + test prep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Level | Private school entry, grades 5–6 | $1,530 | $4,590 | $9,200Regular price $11,590 |
| Middle Level | Private school entry, grades 7–8 | $1,700 | $5,100 | $9,800Regular price $12,100 |
| Upper Level | Private school entry, grade 9 and above | $1,700 | $5,100 | $9,800Regular price $12,100 |
The single-module price covers one session per week for 17 weeks; the three-module price covers all three modules at the same level. The package price includes complete application services for three private schools and ISEE preparation at the corresponding level. Class schedules and section times are listed in the 2026-27 course guide and are confirmed at enrollment.
ISEE Private Tutoring: Standard for All Primary Levels, Optional from Lower Level Up
Primary 2, 3, and 4 are offered as private tutoring only: at this age, students vary widely in reading level and attention span, which limits the effectiveness of synchronized small-group instruction. Students at the Lower level and above may choose private tutoring on its own or combine it with the intensive course to strengthen weaker sections.
Vocabulary · Reading · Writing · Mathematics · Logic, covering every section of the test
| Package | Hours | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Trial lesson | 1 hour | $150 |
| Starter package | 20 hours | $3,000 |
| Standard package | 50 hours | $6,500 |
| Comprehensive package | 100 hours | $12,000 |
Available in person or online, scheduled around each family's availability.
ISEE Online Learning System
The ISEE online learning system was developed in-house by EDUBUS and is not a purchased question bank. It brings three recurring tasks of test preparation together in three modules: daily practice, benchmark tests, and error review. Students in the intensive course and in private tutoring use it after class; it is also available as a standalone subscription.
Practice by section
Practice test 3
Error categories
Daily practice
Practice by section
Questions are organized by test section, with Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Reasoning, and Mathematics Achievement each forming its own set. Answers are scored immediately. Students may practice a single section or repeat questions on the same skill by error tag.
Benchmark tests
Full-length practice tests
Multiple complete practice tests follow the structure and timing of the actual exam, with timed sections and scheduled breaks that reproduce the pace of test day. Each test reports section scores and percentile standing.
Review
Error analysis and daily vocabulary
Missed questions are automatically sorted by question type and skill and reappear in the next round of practice. The daily vocabulary check-in delivers words from the level-specific word list each day; performance in Verbal Reasoning depends mainly on long-term accumulation.
| Subscription | Practice tests | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | Includes 1 practice test | $500 |
| 3 months | Includes 3 practice tests | $900 |
| 12 months | Includes 12 practice tests | $2,500 |
To see where your child stands first, book a free assessment: one full-length online practice test, followed by a one-on-one review with a course advisor.
Book a free assessmentThe interface shown is an illustration drawn from the system's actual modules; it contains no student names or real scores.
ISEE courses: Choosing a prep option
EDUBUS offers two ways to prepare for the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam, the admission test used by many private schools): the fall small class, online or in person, and private tutoring. Enrolled students also use the EDUBUS online learning system after class. The appropriate option depends on two factors: the test level and the student’s starting point.
The ISEE has four levels: Primary, Lower, Middle and Upper. The Primary level is further divided by entry grade, so there are six entry points in total. The level is determined by the grade the student is applying to enter, not the grade the student is in now. Choosing the wrong level reduces the value of the preparation time, so the level should be confirmed first.
| Level (entry grade) | Starting point | Recommended option |
|---|---|---|
| Primary 2, 3 and 4 (grades 2 to 4) | Any | Private tutoring |
| Lower, Middle or Upper | Able to follow a small group at a shared pace; testing in the fall or winter season | Fall small class (one module or all three), online or in person |
| Lower, Middle or Upper | One module clearly weaker than the others | Fall class plus a short tutoring package, or tutoring for that module alone |
| Lower, Middle or Upper | Schedule cannot accommodate a weekly class | Private tutoring, in person or online |
Private tutoring is the only format EDUBUS offers for students applying to grades 2, 3 and 4, because reading level and attention span vary too widely at this age for a group class to serve every student well.
The options differ in coverage and format:
| Option | Levels | Format | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall small class | Lower (grades 5 and 6), Middle (grades 7 and 8), Upper (grades 9 to 12) | Weekly small-group class, in person at the EDUBUS teaching center in Irvine or online | Three modules: Verbal Reasoning (synonyms and sentence completion); Reading Comprehension (main idea, detail, inference and author attitude in informational and literary passages); Quantitative Reasoning with Mathematics Achievement (comparison and estimation, taught together with calculation and applied problems) |
| Private tutoring | Every level, including Primary 2, 3 and 4 | One-to-one, in person or online, scheduled around the family’s calendar | Vocabulary, reading, writing, mathematics and reasoning |
| Online learning system | Every level | Self-paced platform developed by EDUBUS (not a purchased question bank), used by enrolled students after class | Module practice with immediate scoring; full-length mock tests that follow the structure and timing of the actual exam, with section scores and a percentile position; error review sorted by question type and skill; a daily vocabulary list by level |
For one-on-one preparation at any level, see ISEE tutoring in Irvine. For level-specific preparation, see the Lower Level, Middle Level and Upper Level pages, or the Primary 2 page.
ISEE courses: The free assessment
Every EDUBUS plan begins with the same step. The assessment is free and does not require enrolment.
- Booking. The family books a free assessment and states the grade the student is applying to enter. A course advisor responds within one business day.
- Online practice test. The student takes one full-length practice test online at the matching level. The test follows the structure and timing of the real ISEE, with questions written by the EDUBUS curriculum team, and the system reports section scores and an error report. For Primary students, the assessment focuses on reading level and attention span.
- Advisor review. A course advisor reviews the results with the family one on one and recommends the test level, the modules that require the most work, and whether a small class (online or in person) or private tutoring is more suitable.
- Decision. The family reviews the recommendation and decides on the option or combination; the advisor then builds a schedule around the target schools.
ISEE courses: Enrolment and start dates
Enrolment follows the free assessment and the advisor review, and the final price is confirmed at enrolment. The start arrangements differ by option:
| Option | Start and schedule |
|---|---|
| Fall small class | 17 weeks, from August 24 to December 20, 2026, once a week; in person or online |
| Private tutoring | Begins with a 1-hour trial lesson, followed by a package of 20, 50 or 100 hours; lessons are scheduled around the family’s calendar |
| Online learning system | Available by subscription at any time; used by enrolled students after class |
The fall class is timed for students who plan to test in the fall testing season (August to November) or the winter testing season (December to March). Under the official rules, a student may take the ISEE once per testing season. Registration steps and testing formats are described in the ISEE registration guide.
ISEE courses: Application and test preparation in one package
Some families prefer to have ISEE preparation and private school applications handled together. The combined package includes full application support for 3 private schools and ISEE preparation at the matching level. One team plans both timelines, which matters because a winter retest often falls close to January application deadlines. Retest rules and score sending are explained in the score sending and retake guide.
According to EDUBUS student records, nearly 100 students have earned a stanine of 9 on all four scored sections, a result Irvine parents often call “9999”. A stanine is the 1-to-9 scale on the ISEE score report. This figure is an internal count, not third-party data.
Families who wish to plan the student’s preparation route may book a free placement assessment. Common questions about the options are answered at the end of this page.
Source: official ERB ISEE materials. Course formats, dates and package contents: EDUBUS 2026-27 course schedule.
ISEE Prep Courses in Irvine: Frequently Asked Questions
What should an Irvine family do first when considering ISEE preparation with EDUBUS?
The first step is a free assessment. The student takes one full-length practice test online at the level for the applying grade, and a course advisor reviews the section scores and error report with the family one on one. The review sets the test level, whether to take one module or all three, and whether a small class or private tutoring is more suitable. For Primary students, the assessment focuses on reading level and attention span. The assessment is free and does not require enrolment.
Can an Irvine student join the fall ISEE class for a single module?
Yes. The Lower, Middle and Upper Level classes are organized into three modules: Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning with Mathematics Achievement. A student may take a single module or all three. The free assessment is the basis for that recommendation.
Can an Irvine student take the ISEE small class online?
Yes. The EDUBUS fall small class runs both in person in Irvine and online. The family can confirm the format with a course advisor after the free assessment.
Why does EDUBUS offer only private tutoring for Irvine students taking the Primary 2, 3 or 4 test?
Students at this age differ widely in reading level and in how long they can remain focused. A small class that moves at a single pace does not serve them efficiently. Private tutoring adjusts the material and pace each week to the student's actual level, and parents can take part in the process.
Can an Irvine family subscribe to the EDUBUS online learning system without enrolling in a class?
Yes. The system is available on its own at every level, with monthly, three-month and 12-month plans that include 1, 3 and 12 full-length mock tests respectively. Families who want to see where the student stands first can book a free assessment.
How is the fee structured when an Irvine family entrusts both ISEE preparation and private school applications to EDUBUS?
EDUBUS offers a combined package: full application support for 3 private schools plus ISEE preparation at the matching level, with one team managing both timelines. The package price is $9,200 for the Lower Level and $9,800 for the Middle and Upper Levels. The final price is confirmed at enrolment.
