How Many Times Can You Retake the SSAT or ISEE? (2025 Admissions Update)

SSAT vs. ISEE: Retake Limits Explained

The SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) and ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) are widely accepted standardized tests for private and independent school admissions. While both allow for multiple test attempts, their retake policies are very different — and understanding them is essential for strategic test planning.

How Often Can You Take the SSAT?

The SSAT allows students to take the test multiple times per year, depending on the testing format:

SSAT Testing Options & Limits

Format	Retake Limit
SSAT at Home	Up to 5 times per academic year
SSAT Prometric Center	Up to 2 times per year
Paper-Based SSAT (Flex / Standard)	Unlimited, as long as dates don’t conflict
Total Attempts Allowed	Up to 8 times annually (combined across formats)

• Testing year runs from August 1 – July 31

• Students can choose any combination of testing types

• Many students choose to retake the SSAT to maximize their percentile score

How Often Can You Take the ISEE?

The ISEE has stricter retake rules than the SSAT.

ISEE Retake Policy

You may take the ISEE only once per testing season:

Season	Dates Covered
Fall	August – November
Winter	December – March
Spring/Summer	April – July

• That means you can take the ISEE up to 3 times per year, once per season.

• Even if you take the test in a different format (paper or online), it still counts as one attempt per season.

Strategic Testing Tips

• If you’re applying to schools that accept both the SSAT and ISEE, consider the SSAT if you want more flexibility with retakes.

• Plan to take your first test early (September–October), leaving time for retesting if needed.

• Always check with your target schools to see which scores they accept and if they superscore (use your best section scores from multiple test dates).

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