ISEE Middle Level

Diagnostic Test
This diagnostic test is a shortened version of the ISEE.
Taking this test will allow you to assess your likely
performance on the ISEE if you took the ISEE today.

REMINDERS:
• Middle Level ISEE is given to students who will be entering grades
7 or 8.

• Calculators are not permitted.

• Cell phones are not permitted.

• Only answers marked on the answer sheet will be credited.

• A correct answer is given 1 raw score point.

Incorrect or blank questions are given 0 raw score points.

• If you don’t know the answer, leave the answer choice blank. This will
help us more accurately identify what content you need to cover and
develop an appropriate tutoring strategy.

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Middle Level ISEE Diagnostic Answer Sheet Applying
to Grade
Name: _________________________________________________________
5 9
Date: _________________________________________________________ 6 10
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Tutor: _________________________________________________________ 8 12

Section 1 VERBAL REASONING

1 A B C D 6 A B C D 11 A B C D 16 A B C D
2 A B C D 7 A B C D 12 A B C D 17 A B C D
3 A B C D 8 A B C D 13 A B C D 18 A B C D
4 A B C D 9 A B C D 14 A B C D 19 A B C D
5 A B C D 10 A B C D 15 A B C D 20 A B C D

Section 2 QUANTITATIVE REASONING

1 A B C D 6 A B C D 11 A B C D 16 A B C D
2 A B C D 7 A B C D 12 A B C D 17 A B C D
3 A B C D 8 A B C D 13 A B C D 18 A B C D
4 A B C D 9 A B C D 14 A B C D 19 A B C D
5 A B C D 10 A B C D 15 A B C D 20 A B C D

Section 3 READING COMPREHENSION

1 A B C D 4 A B C D 7 A B C D 10 A B C D
2 A B C D 5 A B C D 8 A B C D 11 A B C D
3 A B C D 6 A B C D 9 A B C D 12 A B C D

Section 4 MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT

1 A B C D 5 A B C D 9 A B C D 13 A B C D
2 A B C D 6 A B C D 10 A B C D 14 A B C D
3 A B C D 7 A B C D 11 A B C D 15 A B C D
4 A B C D 8 A B C D 12 A B C D
VR 1
Section 1
Verbal Reasoning
20 Questions 10 minutes

This section is divided into two parts that contain two different types of questions. As soon as you have
completed Part One, answer the questions in Part Two. You may write in your test booklet. For each
answer you select, fill in the corresponding circle on your answer document.

Part One — Synonyms

Each question in Part One consists of a word in capital letters followed by four answer choices. Select
the one word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
SAMPLE QUESTION: Sample Answer
A B C D
CONGREGATE:
(A) flee
(B) gather
(C) applaud
(D) spread

Part Two — Sentence Completion

Each question in Part Two is made up of a sentence with one blank. Each blank indicates that a word or
phrase is missing. The sentence is followed by four answer choices. Select the word or phrase that will
best complete the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS: Sample Answers
A B C D
The flowers that had once looked dry and sickly began
to ------- once the rainfall ended the long drought.

(A) diminish
(B) persist
(C) flourish
(D) wane

Hoping to quickly ------- the lawsuit, the defense attorney proposed a settlement A B C D

that he believed would be helpful to both the prosecution and his client.

(A) enforce
(B) close
(C) defeat
(D) settle

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 1 VR
Part One – Synonyms

Directions: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

1. PRINCIPLE 6. VIVACIOUS

(A) chief (A) easily amused

(B) standard (B) lively
(C) theory (C) nimble
(D) leader (D) direct

2. APTITUDE 7. HYPERBOLE

(A) reason (A) isolation

(B) difficulty (B) sharp curve
(C) mistake (C) exaggeration
(D) ability (D) identification

3. EULOGY 8. SINISTER

(A) encouragement (A) wicked

(B) tribute (B) elderly
(C) complement (C) simple
(D) exam (D) uncomfortable

4. SUCCINCT 9. STEADFAST

(A) subterranean (A) constant

(B) convoluted (B) mandatory
(C) hurtful (C) restful
(D) direct (D) quick

5. APATHY 10. DIMINUTIVE

(A) compassion
(B) spite (A) lenient
(C) leadership (B) insulting
(D) indifference (C) petite
(D) payback

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VR 1
Part Two – Sentence Completion

Directions: Select the word that best completes the sentence.

11. The meeting was a(n) -------; nothing had 15. As the holiday season -------, the children
gone according to plan. became more and more excited in
anticipation of receiving presents.
(A) success
(B) catastrophe (A) flourished
(C) achievement (B) approached
(D) sensation (C) subsided
(D) peaked

12. Janice was ------- for returning the lost item

to its grateful owner. 16. The documentary explained that this
particular hunting technique had never been
(A) penalized seen before, which offered ------ insight
(B) rewarded into how the species had survived the harsh
(C) perpetuated winters.
(D) punished
(A) recent
(B) unique
13. Usually cool and collected, the teacher (C) fresh
became ------- when he found out that (D) first-hand
someone had cheated on the exam.

(A) indifferent 17. All of his peers laughed at his aspirations, but
(B) fanatical Josh remained ------- in his optimism.
(C) furious
(D) impatient (A) amazed
(B) steadfast
(C) indifferent
14. There were so many factors to consider that (D) barren
the plan could not be as ------- as originally
planned.
18. The ------- young boy was disrespectful to
(A) complex both his parents and his teachers.
(B) unique
(C) elementary (A) impudent
(D) chaotic (B) nervous
(C) dreary
(D) downcast

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 1 VR

19. Some species, such as cheetahs, are solitary 20. Although there were other contributing
animals; wolves on the other hand tend to be factors, the ------- reason we sold out of
more -------. Pokémon cards was the newfound popularity
of the television show.
(A) territorial
(B) social (A) detrimental
(C) dangerous (B) honorary
(D) aggressive (C) primary
(D) temporary

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QR 2
Section 2
Quantitative Reasoning
20 Questions 15 minutes

This section is divided into two parts that contain two different types of questions. As soon as you have
completed Part One, answer the questions in Part Two. You may write in your test booklet. For each
answer you select, remember to fill in the corresponding circle on your answer document.

Any figures that accompany the questions in this section may be assumed to be drawn as accurately as
possible EXCEPT when it is stated that a particular figure is not drawn to scale. Letters such as x, y,
and n stand for real numbers

Part One — Word Problems

Each question in Part One consists of a word problem followed by four answer choices. You may write
in your test booklet; however, you may be able to solve many of these problems in your head. Next, look
at the four answer choices given and select the best answer.
EXAMPLE 1: Sample Answer
What is the value of expression (1 + 4) × 3 + 2 A B C D

(A) 10
(B) 15
(C) 17
(D) 25
The correct answer is 17, so circle C is darkened.

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 2 QR

Part Two — Quantitative Comparisons

All questions in Part Two are quantitative comparisons between the quantities shown in Column A and
Column B. Using the information given in each question, compare the quantity in Column A to the
quantity in Column B, and choose one of these four answer choices:

(A) The quantity in Column A is greater.

(B) The quantity in Column B is greater.
(C) The two quantities are equal.
(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

EXAMPLE 2: Column A Column B Sample Answer

1 1 A B C D
of 60 of 90
2 3

The quantity in Column A (30) is the same as the

quantity in Column B (30), so circle C is darkened.

EXAMPLE 3: y is any real number

Column A Column B Sample Answer
y
y A B C D
2
Since y can be any real number (including a fraction),
there is not enough information given to determine the
relationship, so circle D is darkened.

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QR 2
Part One – Word Problems

Directions: Choose the best answer from the four choices given

1. What is the value of the numerical 5. If 3y + 2 = 8, then what must 6y + 4 =?

expression (5 × 4 × 3) – (2 × 4 × 5)?
(A) 2
(A) 20 (B) 8
(B) 25 (C) 12
(C) 30 (D) 16
(D) 40

6. For what integer value of m does

2. What number is closest to ? 6m – 9 = m2?

(A) 10 (A) 1
(B) 11 (B) 2
(C) 20 (C) 3
(D) 60 (D) 4

3. One fifth of the children in a class chose 7. The large cube shown was built using
Florida as the topic for their state report. smaller cubes.
If three students chose Florida, how many
students are in the class?

(A) 3
(B) 9
(C) 12
(D) 15

4. A population of 32 bats has increased by

How many small cubes were used to build
150%. What is the total number of bats
the larger cube?
after the increase?
(A) 9
(A) 64
(B) 18
(B) 80
(C) 27
(C) 96
(D) 36
(D) 282

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 2 QR
8. What is the perimeter of an equilateral 10. The graph shows the relationship between
triangle with a single side length of 4 the number of items ordered and the total
inches? cost of the order

(A) 8 inches
(B) 10 inches
(C) 12 inches
(D) 16 inches

9. Eric has a bag with 5 red marbles, 3 blue

marbles, and 2 green marbles. After he picks
a marble and notes the color, he replaces
the marble into the bag, and then chooses
another marble. What is the probability that
Eric picks a red marble followed by a green
marble?
Using the best fit line, what is the average
(A) cost of a single item when 50 items are
ordered?
(B)
(A) $5.33
(B) $7.50
(C)
(C) $8.00
(D) $400.00
(D)

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QR 2
Part Two – Quantitative Comparisons

Directions: Using the information given in each question, compare the quantity in Column A to the
quantity in Column B. All questions in Part Two have these answer choices:

(A) The quantity in Column A is greater.

(B) The quantity in Column B is greater.
(C) The two quantities are equal.
(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Column A Column B Chelsea had $20. She gave half

of her money to her brother, Keith.
11. Keith now has $15.

Column A Column B
m represents an odd integer
greater than 11 and less than 17. 14. The amount of The amount of
n represents an even integer money Chelsea money Keith had
greater than 11 and less than 17. now has originally

12. Column A Column B Column A = Column B

m×3 n×4 15. The slope of The slope between

y = 3x – 18 (3, 2) and (5, 8)

The original price of a shirt now

on sale was $45. 3x + 13 = 55

Column A Column B +2=5

13. The price of the shirt The price of the shirt

Column A Column B
after two 20% after one 40%
discounts discount
16. x y

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 2 QR
Answer choices for all questions on this page:
(A) The quantity in Column A is greater.
(B) The quantity in Column B is greater.
(C) The two quantities are equal.
(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

A B Antoine kept a log of how many

cookies he ate over a three day
period. The results are shown in
the table.
6
Number of Cookies Eaten Each Day
Monday 2
D C
Note: figure not drawn to scale Tuesday 4

The quadrilateral ABCD has an Wednesday 1

area of 18.

Column A Column B
Column A Column B
17. 19 The perimeter
of ABCD 19. The average The number of
number of cookies eaten
cookies eaten on Monday
Fifteen pieces of paper numbered 1 – 15 each day
are put into a bag.

Column A Column B

18. Probability of Probability of x° 135°

choosing an choosing an
even number odd number Column A Column B

20. 35 x

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RC 3
Section 3
Reading Comprehension
12 Questions 15 Minutes

This section contains six short reading passages. Each passage is followed by six questions based on its
content. Answer the questions following each passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that
passage. You may write in your test booklet.

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 3 RC

Questions 1–6

1 Bison and buffalo are not the same animal. 14 western plains by the millions just a couple
2 For years, American bison were mistakenly 15 of centuries ago. Because the bison were so
3 referred to as buffalo. Due to this confusion 16 widely hunted, however, their numbers fell
4 there are many references to buffalo in the 17 greatly. In fact, as of a century ago, there were
5 United States. There is the City of Buffalo in 18 only about 500 left. They were deemed near
6 the northwestern New York state. In addition, 19 extinction, but due to conservation efforts,
7 the buffalo appeared on the U.S. nickel for 20 their numbers have increased. There are
8 many years at the beginning of the twentieth 21 approximately 50,000 bison living today in
9 century. This is often referred to as the “Buffalo 22 protected parks. Though they may never be
10 Nickel” to distinguish it from the current nickel 23 as abundant as they once were, they are not
11 with Tomas Jefferson on the front. Buffalo 24 in danger of extinction as long as they remain
12 are actually found in Asia, Africa, and South 25 protected.
13 America. Bison roamed the North American

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RC 3
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to 4. According to the passage, what can be hoped
for as long as the American bison is protected?
(A) applaud conservation efforts.
(B) explain the genetic difference between the (A) They will be as plentiful as they once
bison and the buffalo. were.
(C) explain why people confuse the buffalo (B) They will disturb the delicate ecological
and the bison. balance in the plains.
(D) give some background on the American (C) They will face even greater dangers.
bison. (D) They will probably not die out.

2. The passage implies that the primary 5. The tone of the passage is best described as
difference between the buffalo and the bison is
(A) amazed.
(A) their geographic location. (B) indifferent.
(B) their number. (C) informative.
(C) their size. (D) concerned.
(D) when they existed.

6. In line 5, the author mentions the city of

3. As used in line 18, the word “deemed” most Buffalo in order to
closely means
(A) criticize a hunting practice.
(A) found. (B) establish the reason for a particular
(B) hunted. currency.
(C) ruled. (C) illustrate a common misunderstanding.
(D) eaten. (D) pinpoint the first sighting of buffalo in
New York.

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 3 RC
Questions 7–12

1 Etymology, the study of words and word 28 What these word experts solve are mysteries
2 roots, may sound like the kind of thing done 29 surrounding the origin of some of our most
3 by boring librarians in small, dusty rooms. 30 common words.
4 Yet etymologists actually have a uniquely 31 One of the biggest questions English
5 interesting job. They are, in many ways, just 32 language experts have pursued is how English
6 like archeologists digging up the physical 33 came to have the phrase OK. Though it is one
7 history of people and events. The special 34 of the most commonly used slang expressions,
8 aspect of etymology is that it digs up history, 35 its exact beginning is a puzzle even to this day.
9 so to speak, through the words and phrases that 36 Even its spelling is not entirely consistent –
10 are left behind. 37 unless you spell it okay, it’s hard to even call it
11 The English language, in particular, is 38 a word.
12 a great arena in which to explore history 39 Etymologists have been able to narrow
13 through words. As a language, English has 40 OK’s origin down to a likely, although
14 an extraordinary number of words. This is in 41 not certain, source. It became widely used
15 part due to its ability to adapt foreign words 42 around the time of Martin Van Buren’s run
16 so readily. For example, “English” words 43 for president in 1840. His nickname was Old
17 such as kindergarten (from German), croissant 44 Kinderhook. What troubles word experts about
18 (from French), and cheetah (from Hindi) 45 this explanation is that the phrase appeared in
19 have become part of the language with little 46 some newspapers before Van Buren became
20 or no change from their original sounds and 47 well known. As a result, it’s unlikely that Van
21 spellings. So English language etymologists 48 Buren could be called its primary source.
22 have a vast world of words to explore. 49 Like bloodhounds following a faint scent,
23 Another enjoyable element of etymology 50 etymologists will doubtless keep searching for
24 for most word experts is solving word 51 the initial source. However, it is clear that OK’s
25 mysteries. No, etymologists do not go around 52 popularity and fame have exceeded those of the
26 solving murders, cloaked in intrigue like the 53 American president to whom it has been most
27 great fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. 54 clearly linked.

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RC
3 3
7. It can be inferred from the second paragraph 10. Which of the following best states the purpose
(lines 11-22) that English vocabulary of the fourth paragraph (lines 31-38) and fifth
paragraph (lines 39-54)?
(A) is easy to learn for speakers of other
languages. (A) to illustrate another non-English word
(B) can claim many sources. (B) to define the phrase “OK”
(C) has a longer history than that of many (C) to show an example of what etymology is
other languages. about
(D) affects American politics. (D) to compare American phrases

8. The author mentions the words 11. The primary purpose of the passage is to
“kindergarten,” “croissant,” and “cheetah”
most likely because (A) provide information about the English
language.
(A) they are words with unknown origins. (B) discuss enjoyable aspects of the study of
(B) etymologists dispute words like these. words.
(C) they represent words that are similarly (C) show that language plays an important
spelled and spoken in two languages. role in politics.
(D) English speakers find them difficult to (D) describe the origin of the phrase “OK.”
pronounce.

12. In line 22, the word “vast” most likely means

9. According to the passage, etymologists are
(A) numerous.
(A) investigators of word history. (B) narrow.
(B) lovers of vocabulary words. (C) bloated.
(C) scientists of the five senses. (D) expansive.
(D) preservers of all current languages.

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NO TEST MATERIAL ON THIS PAGE
MA
4 4
Section 4
Mathematics Achievement
15 Questions 15 minutes

Each question is followed by four suggested answers. Read each question and then decide which one of
the four suggested answers is best.

Find the row of spaces on your answer document that has the same number as the question. In this
row, mark the space having the same letter as the answer you have chosen. You may write in your test
booklet.
SAMPLE QUESTION: Sample Answer
A B C D
What is the area of triangle with a base of 6 in and a height of 8 in?

(A) 14 in2
(B) 24 in2
(C) 32 in2
(D) 48 in2

The correct answer is 24 in2, so circle B is darkened.

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 4 MA
1. In the decimal 2.08391, the digit 3 is 4. Which of the following is 30% of 250?
equivalent to which of the following?
(A) 28
(A) (B) 50
(C) 75
(D) 200
(B)

(C) 5. If , what is H when A is 30 square

inches, and B is 10 inches?
(D)
(A) 6 inches
(B) 8 inches
2. What is the greatest common factor of 24, 36,
(C) 10 inches
and 64?
(D) 12 inches
(A) 4
(B) 6
6. In this figure, a circle is inscribed within a
(C) 8
square with a side length of 4 cm.
(D) 12

3. What is the value of the numerical expression

?
4 cm.
(A) What is the area of the shaded region?

(B) (A) 24 - 4π cm2

(B) 25 - 4π cm2
(C) (C) 16 - 6π cm2
(D) 16 - 4π cm2
(D)

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MA 4
7. A spinner has 3 equal-sized sections that 10. What is the volume of a box with a length of
are colored red, blue, and yellow. Jake uses 12 units, a width of 5 units, and a height of
the spinner 5 times in a row. What is the
probability that Jake will spin 5 blues in a of a unit.
row?
(A) 8 units3
(A) 25% (B) 16 units3
(C) 40 units3
(D) 60 units3
(B)

(C) 11. Andrew asked his classmates what kind of

pets they had and, after collecting the results,
(D) displayed them in the circle graph below.

30% 20%
8. If of a large container can be filled in four CAT FISH

minutes, how many minutes will it take to fill 50%

DOG
the rest of the container at the same rate?

(A) 5 minutes Which data correspond to the sample of pets

(B) 7 minutes owned?
(C) 9 minutes
(D) 10 minutes (A) 10 dogs, 4 fish, 6 cats
(B) 10 dogs, 5 fish, 12 cats
(C) 15 dogs, 6 fish, 6 cats
9. The expression is equivalent to (D) 15 dogs, 6 fish, 12 cats
which expression?
12. If m + 12 = n – 3, what is the value of m – n?
(A)
(A) -15
(B) (B) -9
(C) 9
(C) (D) 15

(D)

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 4 MA
Questions 13-15 refer to the following chart 14. How much more does it cost two adults
and a senior over 60 to fly one-way on a
Plane Fares from Tutortown to Studyville weekend than on a weekday?
Fares Weekday Weekend Holiday (A) $10
One-Way $50 $60 $70 (B) $20
(C) $30
Round- (D) $40
$90 $110 $130
Trip
Seniors
$30 $40 $50
over 60 15. The price of a round-trip ticket is
Children Free with approximately what percent less than the cost
under 9 paying $50 $60 of buying two one-way tickets on a holiday?
adult
(A) 7%
(B) 10%
13. How much would it cost three adults and (C) 11%
one child under the age of 9 to fly one way (D) 15%
from Tutortown to Studyville on Tuesday?

(A) $100
(B) $150
(C) $200
(D) $240

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