SSAT & ISEE Prep 2023 - Princeton Review 2023

Writing the essay
The basics of both tests

HOW IS THE ESSAY USED?

Both the ISEE and the SSAT require you to write an essay. While the essay is not graded and does not affect your score, a copy is sent to the schools to which you apply. For this reason, you want to take the essay seriously and use it to show yourself to be organized and thoughtful.

THE SSAT ESSAY

The Middle and Upper Level tests present two prompts, from which you will select one. The Middle Level test offers one creative writing prompt; the Upper Level test offers one personal and one general prompt. The instructions tell you that schools would like to get to know you better through what you write, so you should select the prompt that is easier for you to base your story or essay on. The Elementary Level test provides a picture and instructs you to “tell a story” about what happened.

In all cases, you have about one-and-one-half pages on which to write. Elementary Level students have 15 minutes, while Middle and Upper Level students have 25 minutes.

Here are sample prompts.

Elementary Level

Look at the picture and tell a story about what happened. Make sure your story includes a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Middle Level

I picked up the magazine and saw something interesting on the cover.

Who is your favorite teacher? Describe why that teacher is your favorite and what you learned from that teacher’s class.

Upper Level

Which historical figure would you most like to have lunch with and why? What would you discuss over lunch?

Has social media had an overall positive or negative impact on society? Support your answer with reasons and examples.

THE ISEE ESSAY

The Lower, Middle, and Upper Level tests ask you to “write an essay” on an assigned prompt. You will have close to two pages on which to write and 30 minutes to complete your essay.

Writing Sample

The Primary 2 ISEE and Primary 3 ISEE each have an untimed writing sample with a picture prompt. The directions will tell you to “write a story.” The Primary 4 ISEE has an untimed writing sample with a written prompt. The Primary Level writing samples are typed. You will be able to cut, copy, paste, indent, undo, redo, and change the font size.

Here are sample prompts.

Primary 2 & 3

Look at the picture. Write a story about what you see in the picture. Type your story in the box below.

Primary 4

Identify a person you admire or respect. Explain why you admire or respect that person. Then describe one thing you would do to show this person your admiration or respect.

Lower Level

Who is your favorite teacher? Why have you chosen this person?

Middle Level

If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would you choose and how would you solve the problem?

Upper Level

Name someone you consider to be a success, and describe what it is about that person that makes the person successful.

PLANNING AND WRITING YOUR ESSAY

When you read your ISEE prompt or decide upon your SSAT prompt, do not start writing immediately! It is important that you spend a few minutes thinking about what you want to say and how you will organize your thoughts. A planned essay reads much better than a rambling, free-association essay. Also, the time you spend organizing your thoughts will enable you to write your essay more quickly once you get started. You just need to follow your outline and express the ideas you have already developed.

For the Elementary Level SSAT or if you choose the creative option on the Middle Level SSAT, you are writing a story, which means you must include a beginning, middle, and end. So your planning time will be used to decide what story you want to tell and how that story progresses. It does not really matter what your story topic is, as long as it responds to the chosen prompt and is delivered in an organized way. Show to the schools you’re applying to that you can think for yourself. Your story can relate something you have done or seen. If you happen to be a natural storyteller, though, have at it!

The Choice is Yours

Middle and Upper Level SSAT students get to choose between two different prompts. Choose wisely!

For the ISEE, the personal option on the Middle Level SSAT, or either prompt on the Upper Level SSAT, your essay will be a more traditional essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your introduction will summarize the topic and explain your position, and your body paragraphs will include examples or reasons for your position. Thus, you want to spend your planning time deciding how you want to answer the prompt and what examples or reasons you will use to support your point of view. If you are used to providing three examples in essays at school, there is no need for that here. You don’t have the space or the time. Rather, having one or two well-developed examples or reasons will be fine.

For all levels of both tests, be sure to avoid spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. It is easier to avoid these errors if you have planned your essay in advance. Also, write neatly; again, this is easier if you plan your essay before you write it. Be sure to clearly indent each new paragraph as well. It is a good idea to leave yourself a bit of time at the end to review what you have written, so you can make sure you’ve written your best possible essay.

You should write one or two practice essays and show them to a parent, teacher, or other adult who can give you feedback. Tell that person that your goal is to provide an organized and thoughtful reply to the prompt, with a minimum of spelling and grammar errors.

Grammar Boost

If you need a grammar boost, check out Grammar Smart, 4th Edition.

On the two pages that follow, write an essay using the prompts (or one of the two prompts for SSAT) on this page. If you will be testing online rather than on paper, type your essay or writing sample on a computer. Older students may wish to write a second practice essay after getting feedback. There are some additional prompts on the next few pages.

Are you ready for another prompt?

Middle Level SSAT

I heard the strange noise and reacted quickly.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Explain why you would choose that destination.

Upper Level SSAT

Which of your friends do you admire most? Describe the things you admire about your friend.

Is failure a necessary part of learning? Support your response with reasons and examples.

Lower Level ISEE

Describe something you wish you could change about the city or town in which you live.

Middle Level ISEE

If you could spend one week anywhere in the world, where would you go? What would you do there?

Upper Level ISEE

Describe a book or work of art that had an effect on you. What about it affected you?

If you plan to take the SSAT, go on to Chapter 5.

If you plan to take the ISEE, please proceed to Chapter 13.