1 Introduction to the SSAT and ISEE Exams 1
Doing It Right! 1
The ISEE Versus the SSAT: An Overview 2
The Independent School Entrance Examination 3
The Secondary School Admission Test 7
Countdown 10
Reality Check 14
Conclusion 15
2 Mathematics Review 17
Introduction 17
Integers 17
Natural and Whole Numbers 17
Comparing Integers 19
Exponents 20
Order of Operations 22
Rounding Off Integers 23
Prime Numbers 24
Factors and Multiples 25
Fractions 26
Comparing and Ordering Fractions 27
Reducing Fractions 28
Changing Improper Fractions to Whole or Mixed Numbers 29
Changing Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions 30
Equivalent Fractions 31
Operations with Fractions 32
Decimals 35
Reading Decimals 36
Comparing Decimals and Fractions 36
Rounding Off Decimals 38
Operations with Decimals 38
Scientific Notation 41
Percents 41
Changing Fractions and Whole Numbers to Percents 42
Changing Percents to Fractions 42
Changing Decimals to Percents 43
Changing Percents to Decimals 43
Finding a Percent of a Number 44
Applications 45
Algebra 45
Arithmetic Operations with Signed Numbers 46
Formulas 49
Equations 50
Simplifying Exponential Expressions 51
Roots and Radicals 52
Simplifying Radicals 53
Operations with Radicals 54
Inequalities 54
Operations with Monomials and Polynomials 56
Absolute Value 58
Ratios and Proportions 59
Consecutive Integers 60
Plane Geometry 62
Points 62
Lines 62
Planes 63
Angles 64
Perpendicular Lines 69
Coordinate Geometry 69
Polygons 71
Angles in Polygons 71
Types of Triangles, Classified by Angles 74
Types of Triangles, Classified by Sides 74
Perimeters 74
Areas of Polygons 76
Pythagorean Theorem 78
Circles 79
Radius and Diameter 79
Circumference 79
Area 80
Central Angles 81
Sectors 82
Volumes 82
Rectangular Solids 83
Cubes 83
Right Circular Cylinders 84
Cones 85
Spheres 86
Measurements 87
U.S. Weight Measures 87
U.S. Length Measures 87
U.S. Liquid Measures 88
Metric Length Measures 89
Metric Weight Measures 89
Changing Metric Measures and U.S. Measures 89
Graphs and Tables 90
Line Graphs 90
Circle Graphs 91
Bar Graphs 92
Tables 93
Word Problems 94
Wage Problems 94
Investment Problems 96
Age Problems 97
Discounts and Price Increases 98
Percentage Problems 98
Distance Problems 100
Statistics 101
The Mean or Average 101
The Median 102
The Mode 103
Probability 104
Answers to Mathematics Review Exercises 105
Answers Explained to Selected
Mathematics Review Exercises 107
SSAT/ISEE Math Review Questions 119
SSAT/ISEE Math Review Answers 123
3 Verbal Skills Review 133
Introduction 133
Vocabulary 133
Vocabulary Memory Aids 134
Computers 135
Crossword Puzzles 135
Word Histories 136
Word List 144
Synonyms—SSAT and ISEE 149
Analogies—SSAT 153
More Analogies 156
Even More Analogies! 160
Sentence Completion—ISEE 162
More Sentence Completion 163
Review Questions 166
Synonyms—ISEE and SSAT 166
Sentence Completion—ISEE 167
Analogies—SSAT 168
Answers 169
4 Reading Comprehension Review 171
Introduction 171
Types of Questions 174
Main Idea Questions: Finding the Main Point of a Passage 174
Word-in-Context Questions: Determining Hidden Meanings
Through Detective Work 175
Supporting Idea Questions: Deceptively Simple 176
Inference Questions: Drawing Logical Conclusions from Written Statements 177
Organization and Logic Questions: Determining the Proper Order of a Passage 178
Tone Questions: Identifying the Mood of the Writer 179
Review Questions 180
Main Idea Questions 180
Word-in-Context Questions 181
Supporting Idea/Fact Questions 182
Inference Questions 183
Organizational Questions 185
Tone Questions 186
A Mixed Bag 187
Answer Key 203
Explanation of Answers 204
5 Essay Writing—SSAT and ISEE 211
Introduction 211
Advice 211
Grammar 211
Usage 213
Tricks of the Trade 217
Bonus 218
Sentence Variation 219
The Essay—SSAT and ISEE 219
Prewriting 220
Planning 222
Writing 222
Introduction 222
Body Paragraphs 223
More Writing (Keep Going!) 224
Conclusion 225
6 Practice Tests 231
SSAT Practice Test 1 233
SSAT Practice Test 2 295
ISEE Practice Test 1 353
ISEE Practice Test 2 409
7 Scoring Your Practice Tests 469
Index 489