Test Preparation for Public and Private Schools

Our tutors not only work with students on the content for each specific test, but also to introduce and master Test-taking Strategies that will benefit the students on the test and in the classroom. We also assist and give tools to those students that may suffer from test anxiety.

Test Descriptions:

ERB (Educational Records Bureau) administers the ECAA and ISEE-

ECAA (Early Childhood Admissions Assessment): An assessment for students applying to Pre-K through Grade 4 in the private school system. The assessment is administered individually and yields useful information about a student’s current level of development.

  • Pre-K–1 assessment contain eight subtests; 4 verbal skills and 4 measure non-verbal abilities.
  • Grade 2-4 assessments contain ten subtests; 5 verbal skills and 5 measure non-verbal abilities. (Grades 3-4 also have Reading Comprehension)

ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam): An admission test that has three levels: a Lower Level (admission to 5th and 6th grade), Middle Level (admission to 7th and 8th grade), and Upper Level (admission to 9th-12th grade). ISEE consists of five parts:

  1. Verbal Reasoning
  2.  Quantitative Reasoning
  3.  Reading Comprehension
  4. Mathematics Achievement
  5. Essay

SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test): A test given at three levels: elementary (admissions to 4th and 5th grade), middle (admission into 6th-8th grades) and upper (admission into 9th grade and up) for entrance into independent schools. It tests verbal, reading and quantitative math skills. 

OLSAT (Otis-Lennon School Ability Test): OLSAT Level A is designed to assess school abilities of kindergartners, and currently being used by the New York City DOE for admissions into the gifted and talented program in NYC. The test includes the following skills:

  • Detecting likenesses and differences
  • Recalling words and numbers
  • Defining words
  • Following directions
  • Classifying
  • Establishing sequence
  • Solving arithmetic problems
  • Completing analogies

NNAT2 (Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test): NNAT2 is a non-verbal exam that contains visuals, shapes and diagrams that form patterns testing a student's abilities in matrix reasoning. It is currently being used by the New York City DOE for admissions into the gifted and talented program in NYC. The test includes the following skills:

  • pattern completion and sequences
  • reasoning by analogy
  • serial reasoning
  • spatial visualization
  • sorting and classification

Common Core State Exams: The ELA/Literacy and Mathematics tests are standardized exams used to test students on their proficiency in the common core standards for their grade level.

SHSAT (Specialized High Schools Admissions Test): SHSAT is the entrance exam required for acceptance into one of the NYC selective magnet high schools (for 8th and 9th grade students wanting to attend one of the specialized schools).

NEW SAT: The SAT is a college admissions test (during junior or senior year typically) that allows a student to show colleges what they know and how well they can apply their knowledge. It tests their knowledge of subjects that are taught every day in high school classrooms- critical reading, writing and language, mathematics and optional essay writing. No penalty for guessing!

SATII (Subject Tests): The SAT II is a set of more than 20 different tests focusing on specific disciplines such as English, History and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Foreign Languages. Subject Tests allow students to display achievement in specific subject areas where they excel and to differentiate themselves in the college admission process. 

ACT: The ACT is a college admissions test that measures what you learn in high school to display your academic readiness for college. It covers English, Reading, Mathematics and Science, as well as a 40-minute writing portion.

 

We also offer test prep for many other exams, as well as basic test-taking strategies for any tests you need assistance on.