Harvard-Westlake requires the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) for every applicant for fall 2027 entry. The school's FAQ states that all applicants must take it, and the school's pages we reviewed do not mention the SSAT. Harvard-Westlake does not publish a minimum or typical ISEE score, so this guide covers the requirements, the timing window, the test structure, and how to decide when to test.
It is for parents of grade 7 and grade 9 applicants. The ISEE is run by The Enrollment Management Association, and the school's rules sit on top of the test owner's rules.
What the school requires
From the FAQ and the How to Apply page for the 2026-27 cycle:
- All applicants for entry in fall 2027 must take the ISEE.
- Results must come from a single test taken between August 1, 2026 and the application deadline of January 15, 2027.
- Applicants may test in any format (paper test or online), at any site, or online via ISEE At-Home.
- To share scores with the school, use school code 052135 when registering through the Educational Records Bureau.
- The school will not combine scores from different tests. If the ISEE is taken more than once, tell the admission office which results to include. If you do not state a preference before the deadline, the school includes the most recent results.
- The school says it does not recommend taking the ISEE more than once, nor does it recommend tutoring or other special preparation.
That last line is the school's own guidance and worth reading closely. It does not say preparation is forbidden. It says the school does not recommend it, which is a reason to keep your approach calm: know the format, get a good night's sleep, and do not turn the exam into the centerpiece of the year.
Which level your child takes
The test owner states that a student's testing level is determined by the grade to which the student is applying, not the student's current grade. The Middle Level applies to grades 7 and 8, and the Upper Level to grades 9 through 12. A child applying to grade 7 takes the Middle Level. A child applying to grade 9 takes the Upper Level. Both levels follow the same structure.
What is on the test
For the Middle and Upper Levels the test owner lists:
- Verbal Reasoning: 40 questions, 20 minutes
- Quantitative Reasoning: 37 questions, 35 minutes
- Reading Comprehension: 36 questions, 35 minutes
- Mathematics Achievement: 47 questions, 40 minutes
- Essay (unscored): 1 prompt, 30 minutes
The total listed is 2 hours 40 minutes plus two breaks. The test owner also says there are no penalties for incorrect answers, so students are scored only on correct answers and gain nothing by leaving a question blank.
Timing: when to test
The test owner allows one registration per testing season: Fall (August to November), Winter (December to March), and Spring/Summer (April to July), for up to three times a school year. Harvard-Westlake's window opens August 1, 2026 and closes January 15, 2027, which covers the Fall season and the first part of the Winter season. A test taken earlier, in the Spring/Summer season of 2026 before August 1, does not fit the school's stated window.
Because the school asks for a single test and does not recommend repeating it, the practical approach is to choose one date after August 1 that leaves room for the score report to reach the school before January 15. Test dates and availability vary by location and format, so check the test owner's registration site. Our timeline guide places the ISEE alongside every other date in the cycle.
A family that has already tested this fall can still be on track. The window runs through January 15, 2027, and an additional test is possible in the Winter season, but the school does not recommend a second attempt.
What score do you need
The school does not say. On the pages we reviewed it publishes no minimum score, no target score, and no range for admitted students. It describes a holistic admission process in which testing is one of several kinds of information, and it says no single factor determines a decision. A score is read alongside the transcript, recommendations, questionnaire, and interview.
For that reason, avoid advice that quotes a "Harvard-Westlake ISEE cutoff." The school has not published one. The test owner provides score reports to families and schools, so use the score report as information about your child's strengths, not as a pass or fail line.
How to prepare in proportion
- Learn the format. Know the five sections, the timing, and whether your child will test on paper or online. The test owner publishes a Quick Facts Guide.
- Practice reading and math at grade level. The Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Achievement sections test school-based skills.
- Do not cram. The school's guidance is that it does not recommend special preparation, so steady schoolwork is the right foundation.
- Plan the logistics. Register early, confirm the school code 052135, and confirm the test site or at-home requirements.
- Keep one date. Tell the admission office which test to use if your child tests more than once.
Common mistakes
- Testing before August 1. That falls outside the school's stated window.
- Forgetting the school code. Without 052135 the school may not receive the report.
- Testing multiple times and not choosing. If you do not state a preference by the deadline, the school uses the most recent results.
- Registering for the wrong level. The level is set by the grade applying to, not the current grade.
- Assuming the SSAT will do. The school's FAQ requires the ISEE.
Frequently asked questions
Does Harvard-Westlake accept the SSAT or the ISEE?
The school's FAQ says all applicants for entry in fall 2027 must take the ISEE. The pages we reviewed do not mention the SSAT.
What ISEE score do you need for Harvard-Westlake?
The school does not publish a minimum or typical score. It says it uses a holistic process in which no single factor determines an admission decision.
When should my child take the ISEE for Harvard-Westlake?
Results must come from a single test taken between August 1, 2026 and January 15, 2027. The school does not recommend taking the ISEE more than once.
What is Harvard-Westlake's ISEE school code?
The school code is 052135, which you list as a score recipient when registering through the Educational Records Bureau.
Can we send scores from two different tests?
No. The school will not combine scores from different tests. If your child tests more than once, tell the admission office which results to include. See the application guide for the rest of the file.
Next step
If your child wants practice building reading and math stamina ahead of the ISEE, the programs page describes what HarvardWestlakePrep by EduAvenues offers, and the free diagnostic is a starting point.
Sources
- Harvard-Westlake Frequently Asked Questions
- Harvard-Westlake How to Apply
- About the ISEE (Admission.org)
HarvardWestlakePrep by EduAvenues is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Harvard-Westlake School.