How Many Times Can You Take the ISEE?

The Short Answer

You can take the ISEE once per testing season, and there are three seasons per year. That means a maximum of three attempts per year.

If your child takes the ISEE in October (fall season), they cannot retake it until December (winter season) at the earliest.

Why Does the Limit Exist?

The one-per-season rule exists to:

• Prevent students from taking the test repeatedly to memorize questions
• Ensure the test remains a fair assessment for all applicants
• Maintain the integrity of the scoring norm groups

This is different from the SSAT, which allows multiple attempts within the same testing window.

Which Score Do Schools See?

When you register for the ISEE, you choose which schools receive your score report. Schools will see the scores from each test you send them — you cannot hide a lower score from an earlier attempt if you already sent it.

This is an important reason to be strategic about when you take the test:

• Don't take the ISEE "just to see what happens" if scores are automatically sent to your target schools
• If you plan to retest, consider sending the first score only to less competitive schools
• Check each school's policy — some schools will consider the higher score, others look at all attempts

Is Retesting Worth It?

Retesting makes sense when:

• Your child's first attempt was significantly below their practice test scores (a bad test day)
• You can identify specific, fixable weaknesses to address before the next attempt
• There's enough time — at least 6–8 weeks of focused preparation between tests
• Your application deadlines allow for a later testing season

Retesting may not help if:

• First-attempt scores already match practice test performance (the score may be accurate)
• There isn't enough time for meaningful improvement before the next test
• Test anxiety was the primary issue — in that case, anxiety management strategies may be more effective than more content prep

How to Prepare for a Retake

If your child is retaking the ISEE:

1. Review the score report carefully. Identify which sections and question types had the lowest scores.
2. Focus preparation on weak areas. Use topic-based practice to target specific skills rather than repeating general review.
3. Take at least 2 full practice tests under timed conditions before the retake.
4. Address test-day factors. Was your child tired, anxious, or rushing? Build strategies for pacing and stress management.

Most students see meaningful improvement with 6–8 weeks of focused, targeted practice between attempts.

Planning Your Testing Timeline

For most families applying to schools with January/February deadlines, here's a recommended approach:

• First attempt in fall (September–November) — gives time for a potential retake
• Retake in winter (December–January) if needed — scores still arrive before most deadlines
• Use spring/summer only for students who are applying for the following year or need additional preparation time

Start your preparation early. A diagnostic test taken months before the actual ISEE gives you the clearest picture of how much preparation time your child needs. See our complete preparation guide for a detailed timeline.