The coming decade will pose unprecedented demographic and social challenges to independent schools. Students and their families will continue to compete for admission. At the same time, demand for the brightest students will rise. Test scores have long been a piece of the admissions puzzle. But that piece will soon carry more weight. As competition grows, test scores will become even more important.

That’s where we come in. With each new edition, we have worked to make the ISEE a more precise instrument for discerning how well a student will fit into your school environment.

Planning for the ISEE’s next edition was no different. If our approach changed at all, it was in the direction of greater ambition. We aimed to

• publish dozens of new forms for each test level
  in the pencil-and-paper format
• develop and host all three levels of the test online
• create computer adaptive test (CAT) versions of the exam
• design a score report that is more informative and easier to read
• write new essay prompts
• produce a new interpretive guide for schools

We had each item vetted by at least seven content experts – experts in developing tests, assessing gender and racial bias, and evaluating whether an item is grade-level appropriate. We included conversions in the math sections – inches in a foot, cups in a gallon, cents in a dollar. We reduced the time it takes to complete answer items, particularly for the lower level – shortening testing by 30 minutes without diminishing reliability and rigor. We did this by confirming with statisticians that each item is relevant, content specific, and meets our test blueprint design. We also correlated the scoring of the new ISEE to scores from the previous editions. That means you will not have to change the way you use the scores to evaluate each student’s promise.

In addition, in September 2009 we will make three new level-specific prep books available online – for free. The new booklets were written to the student, with a section for parents. Each booklet includes a full-length practice test using the format and blueprint of the new 3rd edition. The idea is to level the playing field, to give every test-taker the same chance to prepare.

We took great care so you could remain confident in ISEE test results – assured of their fairness, accuracy, and validity. That’s how we can say that the ISEE gives you a clear picture of a student’s strengths and weaknesses.

Our goals are not revolutionary. They are evolutionary. Because as we adapt successfully to changing times, so will you.