How ISEE Scoring Works
The ISEE doesn't use a simple percentage or letter grade. Instead, it reports scores in several ways: scaled scores (760–940), percentile ranks (1–99), and stanine scores (1–9). Of these, the stanine is the number that matters most to schools.
Stanines divide the score distribution into nine groups:
| Stanine | Percentile Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 96–99 | Very high |
| 8 | 89–95 | High |
| 7 | 77–88 | Above average |
| 6 | 60–76 | Slightly above average |
| 5 | 40–59 | Average |
| 4 | 23–39 | Slightly below average |
| 1–3 | 1–22 | Below average |
What Do Private Schools Expect?
Most competitive private schools look for stanines of 7 or above across sections. The most selective schools (acceptance rates under 20%) typically see admitted students with stanines of 8–9.
However, ISEE scores are just one part of the application. Schools also consider:
- Grades and transcripts — consistent academic performance
- Teacher recommendations — character and classroom behavior
- The essay — writing ability and personality
- Interview — maturity and fit
- Extracurriculars — interests and involvement
A strong ISEE score opens doors, but it rarely makes or breaks an application on its own.
Stanines Are Comparative, Not Absolute
An important detail many parents miss: stanines compare your child only to students in the same grade applying to the same level. A stanine of 7 means your child scored better than roughly 77–88% of other applicants at that level — not 77–88% of all students.
ERB uses a rolling three-year norm group, so stanines are relatively stable. However, the same raw score could produce slightly different stanines depending on overall trends in the applicant pool over time.
How to Improve Your Child's Stanine
Since stanines are relative, improvement comes from outperforming more of the comparison group. The most effective strategies:
- Identify weak sections — take a diagnostic test to find where your child loses the most points
- Practice systematically — use topic-based practice to build skills in specific areas
- Build vocabulary daily — the verbal sections reward consistent vocabulary work over weeks, not cramming
- Practice under timed conditions — the ISEE is fast-paced, and time management matters as much as knowledge
The Bottom Line
A "good" ISEE score depends on your target schools. For most private schools, stanines of 6–7 are competitive. For the most selective schools, aim for 8–9. But remember that the ISEE is one component of a holistic application.
If you're not sure where your child stands, start with our free diagnostic test to get a baseline, then use the score calculator to understand what the numbers mean.