Word of the Day:
Synonyms:
Interactive ISEE Vocabulary Flashcards
Switch levels, flip cards for definitions, and download as a printable PDF! Try to reach the end for a surprise 🎉
Top 25 words per level · 1 / 25
ISEE Vocabulary Guide
Test Overview:
The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is used by top private schools to assess students entering grades 4 through 11. Vocabulary skills are essential for the Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension sections, which together account for nearly half of your ISEE score.
- Lower Level (Grades 4-5): Focus on basic meanings, synonyms/antonyms, and common context clues
- Middle Level (Grades 6-7): More advanced words, roots, analogies—and some trickier answer choices
- Upper Level (Grades 8-11): College-preparatory language, inference, nuanced distinctions, analogies & word relationships
Scoring Tip: The more vocabulary you master—from meaning to usage—the more questions you can answer correctly, with fewer errors from tricky distractors!
Level-Specific Strategies:
- Lower: Focus on everyday sight words, common synonyms, and context clues from sentences.
- Middle: Practice breaking complex words into roots/prefixes; study word families; expect harder synonyms, some analogies.
- Upper: Learn Greek/Latin roots, study nuance, practice analogies, prioritize examples and exceptions.
Vocabulary Building Techniques
- Spaced Repetition: Review flashcards regularly but with increasing intervals—space out retests more the better you know the word.
- Word Mapping: Group similar words (synonyms/antonyms), track word families, and make mind maps to visualize connections.
- Use in Sentences: Write your own sentences with new words—using a word in context helps cement its meaning in your memory.
- Root and Prefix Focus: Learn common roots/prefixes, so you can break down unfamiliar words and make educated guesses even when stumped.
- Out Loud Practice: Saying words out loud, spelling them, and teaching them to a friend all improve retention!
- Read Widely: Exposure builds vocabulary naturally—try books, newspapers, fiction, and non-fiction. Mark words you don’t know and add them to your deck.
Try It Yourself:
- Take any new word on your list and use it three different ways: in a sentence, as a synonym, and as an antonym.
- Why? Multiple exposures in different contexts make recall far easier on test day!
Common ISEE Vocabulary Traps (and How to Avoid Them)
- Look-Alikes: Watch for answer choices with similar beginnings ("affect" vs. "effect"). Don't rush—double-check the meaning.
- Part-of-Speech Errors: The right word may be a noun, verb, or adjective—make sure the definition matches the question's wording!
- Root Trickery: Don’t assume every "mal-" word is bad, or every "bene-" good—learn exceptions!
- Synonym Grouping: ISEE sometimes gives two synonyms in the answer pairs—choose the best match to the question prompt, not just any similar word.
- Extreme Words: Beware of answers that are too absolute ("never," "always," "all"). Usually, the most moderate or precise word is correct.
4-Week ISEE Vocabulary Study Plan
| Week | Focus Areas | Recommended Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Core vocab, flashcard basics, most common words | Review 10 new words/day; learn at least 3 roots, quiz yourself or a friend, use 5 new words in sentences |
| 2 | Synonyms, antonyms, word families | Complete synonym/antonym matching drills, update your flashcard deck, group words by meaning |
| 3 | Analogies, context clues, advanced definitions | Practice word analogies, read 2 sample passages, highlight context clues, review tricky words |
| 4 | Mock test, final review, test strategies | Take a full Verbal practice set, grade yourself, revisit weak spots, rest and encourage yourself! |
ISEE Vocabulary FAQ
Q1: How many vocabulary words should I know?
Aim for at least 200 common vocabulary words at your level. Mastering roots, prefixes, and suffixes adds hundreds more to your active vocabulary!
Aim for at least 200 common vocabulary words at your level. Mastering roots, prefixes, and suffixes adds hundreds more to your active vocabulary!
Q2: Are flashcards enough to prepare?
They're a great tool, but combine with practice tests, reading, and writing for best results.
They're a great tool, but combine with practice tests, reading, and writing for best results.
Q3: What's the #1 most important strategy?
Consistency! A few minutes every day beats last-minute cramming.
Consistency! A few minutes every day beats last-minute cramming.
Q4: Will these words help outside the ISEE?
Absolutely—these are foundational for academic reading, writing, and communication. You'll see them again on SSAT, SAT, and beyond.
Absolutely—these are foundational for academic reading, writing, and communication. You'll see them again on SSAT, SAT, and beyond.
Sample ISEE Vocabulary Practice Questions
Lower Level Example:
Which word is closest in meaning to: Generous?
a) unkind b) strict c) giving d) lazy
a) unkind b) strict c) giving d) lazy
Correct Answer: c) giving
Middle Level Example:
Which is the best synonym for "obsolete"?
a) rare b) outdated c) plentiful d) strong
a) rare b) outdated c) plentiful d) strong
Correct Answer: b) outdated
Upper Level Example:
"Fortuitous" most nearly means:
a) accidental b) intentional c) insignificant d) urgent
a) accidental b) intentional c) insignificant d) urgent
Correct Answer: a) accidental
No registration required. Instant access to all levels.