What to Know About the ISEE and SSAT Tests: A Workshop for Parents

The private school admissions exams known as the ISEE and SSAT can feel mysterious and anxiety-producing. We’ll shed some light on both tests so Parents League families are able to approach them with the knowledge and confidence to help their students succeed.

During this hour-long presentation, Forum Education tutor Alex Trow will give parents an introduction to the ISEE and SSAT, including an overview of what good preparation looks like, both in terms of onboarding content and onboarding a helpful mindset. 

We’ll start by running through the pragmatics: 

• Which test is "better" for a student?

• How are the exams scored?

• What’s a "good score"?


Then we’ll discuss preparation strategy:

• How should students optimize their prep time?

• How can families identify potential issues with retention, anxiety, pacing, and endurance?
• How can they deal with those problems?

• What should parents do to help students adopt the right mindset?


This will be an interactive presentation which will include Q&A.

Alex Trow, a double graduate of Yale (BA in English and MFA from the School of Drama), has specialized in standardized test prep and general subject support at New York’s top private schools over the past decade. She has worked with students of various cognitive profiles, including students with attention deficit disorders, dyscalculia, and test anxiety. Alex recently became the head of ISEE/SSAT prep at Forum, where she champions the philosophy that students who are engaged by the process of learning - even when preparing for standardized tests - suffer less burnout, come away with universal skills, and are able to integrate strategy sets for better results in every sector of their academic lives. Alex prioritizes rapport with families to leave students feeling empowered, curious, and ready to challenge themselves. Her ISEE/SSAT expertise makes her a terrific resource for parents navigating the complex private school application process.