The ISEE at home is now one of three official ways students can take the Independent School Entrance Exam, alongside Prometric test centers and school-administered sittings. Since December 2020, ERB has delivered more than 85,000 at-home ISEE exams with a 99% successful completion rate, and the format works for every level from Primary 2 through Upper. This guide walks families through the technical setup, room rules, virtual proctor flow, costs, and test-day timeline so nothing is a surprise on test morning.
The ISEE at home is the same Independent School Entrance Exam that students take at a Prometric test center or a participating school — same number of questions, same time limits, same scoring scale. The only difference is delivery: a live virtual proctor watches the student through a webcam and a second camera while the test runs inside a locked-down secure browser. Schools cannot tell which format a student used because the score report does not flag it.
ERB offers the at-home ISEE for every level. Primary 2, 3, and 4 are designed for grades 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Lower Level covers grades 4 and 5, Middle Level covers grades 6 and 7, and Upper Level covers grades 8 through 11. The Primary Levels include audio-based items, so those students must use wired headphones or speakers — Bluetooth audio is not allowed at any level.
Families who don't have a quiet space at home, or who prefer a more controlled environment, can register for an ISEE at a Prometric center or at a participating school. The at-home format trades that controlled environment for scheduling flexibility, no commute, and the chance to test in a familiar setting. The format-by-format trade-offs are summarized in the comparison table later in this guide.
Failing the technical requirements is the leading reason at-home tests get cancelled or rescheduled. Verify every line in the table below before you register, not the night before the test.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Primary device | Computer, laptop, or tablet with built-in webcam and microphone |
| Secondary device | Cell phone or tablet (must remain plugged in) |
| Required apps | ISEE by ERB (primary) + Remote Proctor Connect (secondary) |
| Audio | Wired headphones or speakers only — no Bluetooth or wireless |
| Internet speed | 0.5 Mbps minimum; wired Ethernet recommended over Wi-Fi |
| Browser / VPN | Secure Browser launches automatically; disable any VPN before launch |
| Camera placement | Second camera ~18 inches from student, monitoring desk and keyboard |
| Pre-test check | Practice Check-In at least 3 days before test day |
The primary device runs the ISEE by ERB secure testing app and is what the student actually clicks through to answer questions. ERB lists computers, laptops, and tablets with built-in cameras and microphones as eligible. The app locks down the device during testing, blocking access to other browser tabs, applications, and screenshots.
The second camera is non-negotiable. A cell phone or tablet running the Remote Proctor Connect app sits about 18 inches from the student and monitors the desk and keyboard area for the entire test. Plug it in — there is no option to "save battery" by running it on a charge. Both apps are free downloads from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
ERB requires a minimum internet speed of 0.5 Mbps and recommends a wired Ethernet connection over Wi-Fi for the testing device. Audio must be wired. Bluetooth headphones, smartwatches, smart wearables, secondary monitors, and additional keyboards are all prohibited. If the family normally lives on Wi-Fi, it is worth temporarily running an Ethernet cable to the testing room for the day.
ERB charges $155 for at-home Primary Level tests (grades 2-4) and $205 for at-home Lower, Middle, and Upper Level tests (grades 5-12). For comparison, the standard ISEE at a Prometric center or school costs $125 for grades 2-4 and $155 for grades 5-12 — so the at-home format adds about $30 to $50 of premium for the convenience of testing from home.
Estimate the all-in cost of registering for the ISEE at home, including any sibling fees and the cost of one planned retake.
Registration happens at iseeonline.erblearn.org. Because at-home dates are listed under specific time zones, ERB has families search by representative states: New York for Eastern Time, Texas for Central Time, and California for Pacific Time. The lookup tool below gives the right state to search for any home time zone.
Pick your home time zone to see which state's listings to filter by on the ERB registration site.
Students may take the ISEE up to three times per testing year, with one attempt allowed per season: Fall (August through November), Winter (December through March), and Spring/Summer (April through July). The same limit applies regardless of format, so a Prometric sitting and an at-home sitting in the same season both count as one attempt.
| Feature | ISEE at Home | Prometric Test Center | School-Administered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Quiet room at home | Prometric test center | Participating school site |
| Proctoring | Live virtual proctor via webcam + second camera | On-site staff at the test center | School staff trained by ERB |
| Test format | Computer-based, ISEE by ERB Secure Browser | Computer-based on Prometric workstation | Computer-based or paper, depending on the school |
| At-home cost (grades 5-12) | $205 | $155 | Set by the school (often included in admissions process) |
| At-home cost (grades 2-4) | $155 | $125 | Set by the school |
| Score release | Typically within 5 days at erblearn.org | Typically within 5 days online | Typically within 5 days online; paper takes longer |
| Best for | Families with reliable tech and a private quiet space | Families who prefer a controlled center environment | Students testing through their applying school |
Room compliance is the single most common parent-controlled failure point. The proctor will scan the room before testing begins, and an unprepared space delays the start, sometimes long enough for the test to require rescheduling.
The student needs a private, well-lit room behind a closed door. Couches and beds are not acceptable testing surfaces — use a real desk or table with a comfortable chair. Choose a room you can guarantee will stay quiet for the full test window, including any breaks.
Center the testing device so the built-in webcam captures the student's face from the front. Place the second camera (the phone or tablet running Remote Proctor Connect) about 18 inches away on one side, angled so it can see the keyboard, hands, and the entire desk surface. Both devices stay plugged in for the full session.
The room scan is unforgiving. Wall posters with formulas, multiplication tables, study notes, or even decorative letters are flagged. Stray devices (a sibling's tablet, a smart speaker, a smartwatch on the desk) are flagged. Remove everything that is not explicitly allowed before the proctor begins the scan.
Worked Example
Setup: A 6th grader is testing at home for the Middle Level ISEE. The family's only quiet space is a home-office room with a desk against the wall, a printed multiplication table tacked up, and a sibling's tablet on the same desk.
The most common student worry about the at-home format is being watched on camera. Knowing what proctors actually monitor — and what they cannot do — usually settles the nerves quickly.
Proctors are trained ERB staff or staff at ERB member schools who have been vetted and trained in remote administration. They are not external contractors with no background in ISEE testing. Their job is to verify identity, scan the room, monitor for prohibited behavior, and time the test — they cannot help with content.
The webcam on the primary device captures the student's face and immediate surroundings. The secondary camera, positioned about 18 inches away, captures the keyboard, hands, and full desk surface. Together they let the proctor see whether the student is reading from notes, looking off-screen, or receiving outside help.
If a student leaves the testing room without permission, they receive a warning. A second occurrence can result in test cancellation. Students who wear eyeglasses are asked to briefly remove them and hold them up to the camera so the proctor can confirm they are not smart glasses. These checks normally take seconds, not minutes.
Begin check-in 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. Open the ISEE by ERB app, enter the Session Number, ISEE ID, and last name, then sign the Student Consent Form. The system walks through speaker, microphone, and webcam configuration, prompts a photo of the student, and then a photo of the ID. The room scan happens next, conducted by the proctor through the second camera.
| Time Before Test | Action |
|---|---|
| 3+ days before | Run a full Practice Check-In on the actual testing device; confirm camera, mic, and Secure Browser |
| 1 day before | Restart the testing device; confirm Session Number arrived by email or text; charge the second camera device |
| 30 minutes before | Open the ISEE by ERB app; enter Session Number, ISEE ID, last name; sign Student Consent |
| 20 minutes before | Configure speakers, mic, and webcam; verify ID photo; complete the room scan with the second camera |
| 10 minutes before | Proctor reviews check-in materials; parent leaves the room |
| Test start | Verbal Reasoning section begins; the test timer starts only after check-in is fully approved |
| Mid-test | Two scheduled breaks (5–10 minutes each) separate the four multiple-choice sections from the essay |
| After submission | Score typically posts within 5 days at erblearn.org |
The Middle and Upper Level ISEE delivers the same five sections at home as in person: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and the Essay. Every section is timed independently, and the test timer only starts after the proctor approves check-in.
| Section | Questions | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 40 | 20 min | Synonyms and sentence completions |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 37 | 35 min | Concepts, problem solving, quantitative comparisons |
| Break 1 | — | 5–10 min | Built into the test schedule |
| Reading Comprehension | 36 | 35 min | Six passages, mixed genres |
| Mathematics Achievement | 47 | 40 min | Computation and applied problems |
| Break 2 | — | 5–10 min | Built into the test schedule |
| Essay | 1 prompt | 30 min | Sent unscored to schools as a writing sample |
The two scheduled breaks last 5 to 10 minutes each and are the only stretches the student should leave the chair. The essay is sent unscored to schools as a writing sample. After the student submits the essay, the secure browser closes automatically and the result reaches the ERB family account at erblearn.org within about 5 days.
ERB publishes a clear list of what is and is not allowed at the testing surface. Most failed at-home tests trace back to a single overlooked item.
Prohibited items include books, dictionaries, thesauruses, calculators (unless approved as an accommodation), additional monitors or keyboards, smartwatches, smart wearables, and Bluetooth or wireless headphones. Phones are not allowed as personal devices, but a phone or tablet running Remote Proctor Connect is required as the second camera and remains in place. Outside communication, recording, copying, or transmitting test content is prohibited and can void scores.
A parent or guardian must be present during the testing area scan. The parent helps adjust the second camera, walks the proctor around the room if requested, and confirms identity. This is the only stretch where the parent is actively involved in the testing flow.
Once the proctor approves check-in, parents must leave the room. They cannot help with content, interpret questions, or speak to the student during the test. Plan to be in an adjoining room, reachable by phone in case of a technical issue, but otherwise out of camera view and out of microphone range.
The Secure Browser is built to recover from short connection drops. If the connection drops, wait briefly for it to recover automatically. If the session does not return, log back in via the link in the original confirmation email or by reopening the secure browser session URL. Re-enter the Session Number, ISEE ID, and last name when prompted, and the proctor will re-admit the student to the section in progress.
Worked Example
Setup: Mid-test, an Upper Level student loses Wi-Fi for about 30 seconds. The Secure Browser shows a "reconnecting" overlay and the timer pauses.
If the testing device is an iPad, the Rotation Lock setting must be turned Off in Control Center, otherwise the proctor cannot see the correct camera orientation. If the system detects more than one camera or audio device, the student is prompted to choose the correct one from a drop-down. Disable any VPN and any antivirus tool that throws pop-ups before launching the secure browser.
ERB-approved accommodations are honored at home. The most common is extended time, often 50% additional time. Reader (audio) and Speech-to-Text for Essay accommodations are also available, and these students must use wired headphones. Submit accommodation documentation to ERB before registering for a date — ERB notes the review can take a couple of weeks, so plan ahead.
No. The at-home ISEE uses the same content, the same number of questions, the same time limits, and the same scoring scale as the version offered at a Prometric center or a participating school. Schools receive the score the same way regardless of format. The only differences are the delivery method and the location, not the difficulty or scoring.
Yes. ERB offers the at-home ISEE for every level: Primary 2, 3, and 4 (grades 1-3), Lower (grades 4-5), Middle (grades 6-7), and Upper (grades 8-11). Primary Level test takers must use wired headphones during the audio sections. All other levels use the same secure-browser flow on a computer or tablet.
ERB at-home administration costs $155 for Primary Level tests (grades 2-4) and $205 for Lower, Middle, and Upper Level tests (grades 5-12). Standard ISEE registration at a Prometric center or school is $125 for grades 2-4 and $155 for grades 5-12, so the at-home format carries a modest premium for the convenience of testing from home.
Yes. ERB requires two devices: a primary testing device running the ISEE by ERB app, and a secondary device (cell phone or tablet) running Remote Proctor Connect to act as a second camera. The second camera sits about 18 inches from the student and continuously monitors the desk and keyboard area throughout the entire exam.
Wait a moment for the connection to recover, then log back in using the link in your confirmation email or by returning to the secure browser session. The proctor will guide the student back into the test. Run a Practice Check-In at least 3 days before test day and connect by Ethernet rather than Wi-Fi to reduce the chance of a mid-test disconnect.
ISEE at-home scores are typically posted to your ERB family account within about 5 days of the test, consistent with the in-person online ISEE and faster than the paper version. Log in at erblearn.org to view the score report and authorize delivery to schools once the score is available. You will receive an email when scores are ready.
ERB lists computers, laptops, and tablets with the appropriate built-in camera and microphone as eligible. Chromebook compatibility depends on whether the device can run the ISEE by ERB Secure Browser app. Always run the Practice Check-In on the exact device you plan to use at least 3 days before test day so you have time to switch devices if needed.