The ISEE and SSAT essays might not be scored, but that doesn’t mean they’re unimportant. In fact, the standardized test essay can play a significant role in the admissions process, although how important that role is varies from school to school. To effectively prepare, parents and students need to know how each school evaluates the essay part of  either the ISEE or SSAT– depending upon which test the student is taking. 

Private Prep Recommendations

• Inquire: Parents should ask each school their student is applying to how the essay is considered in admissions before starting focused preparation. This is a very normal question to ask the admissions office, especially when you’re already reaching out to request information from schools on your list during summer or fall. 
• Personalized preparation: Once they know how how the essay fits into the admissions process, families and tutors can determine the amount of prep time needed for the essay.

Even though the essay isn’t scored, it is scanned and sent to schools, which is why it’s generally wise not to treat it too lightly. Admissions teams may use it to evaluate:

• Clarity of expression: How well the student communicates ideas.
• Mastery of English conventions: Grammar, spelling, and overall writing mechanics.
• Insight into thoughts and values: Personal reflections and values conveyed by the student.

Increasingly, many admissions departments compare the essay to other written works submitted with the application. This ensures authenticity and verifies that the student, not AI or a parent, authored the other pieces.

The essay offers admissions committees insights into a child’s ability to read, write, and think. A well-organized, focused essay filled with connected ideas and supporting details indicates logical thinking and competent writing abilities. Admissions committees can also use the essay to assess fundamental skills like spelling and grammar, which provide insight into the student’s ability to communicate effectively.

ISEE and SSAT Essays

A key part of helping your child craft a stellar ISEE or SSAT essay is making sure they know in advance what types of prompts they’ll see.  Depending upon which test and which test level they’re completing, they’ll see different types of prompts.

SSAT Essay

Upper Level SSAT: Students need choose between a creative prompt and a persuasive/expository prompt.

• Creative Prompts: These prompts are open-ended, and students are expected to finish the thought provided and build the essay creatively. They require imaginative and animated explanations.
• Persuasive/Expository Prompts: These prompts require students to come up with their own strong examples to support answers. Students may take a side on an issue (persuasive) or describe something/show cause and effect (expository).

Creative Sample Prompts:

• “And then she came in the door…”
• “He couldn’t believe they wanted his help…”
• “The silence was deafening…”

Persuasive/Expository Sample Prompts:

• “What is the most important issue facing the world today and how would you contribute to solving this issue?”
• “Is it more important to learn from mistakes or from successes?”
• “Which are more important, arts and music or sports and athletics?”
• “What three qualities define a good student?”

Middle Level SSAT: Both writing prompts are creative, requiring imaginative and animated explanations.

ISEE Essay

All three levels of the ISEE present students with an open-ended prompt encouraging a combination of self-reflection, creativity, storytelling, and persuasion.

ISEE Sample Prompts:

• “Describe a time when you helped someone in need.”
• “Your friend calls to share great news with you. What news would you want to hear and why?”
• “What is something you have accomplished that has made a great impact on you?”
• “Who was your most important role model as a child? Describe this person and his or her influence on you.”
• “If you were in charge of a school trip, where would you go and why?”

Preparation Tips

Encourage your child to practice writing essays on various topics. Help them develop skills in analyzing prompts, organizing thoughts, and presenting a well-rounded perspective supported by relevant examples or evidence.

Understanding the role of the ISEE and SSAT essays in admissions and preparing effectively can significantly enhance a student’s application, showcasing their writing skills, personality, and potential for success.

For more personalized guidance and expert test prep resources, contact us. Our expert tutors provide tailored support to help students achieve their highest potential.