Our Admissions Testing at Nexus:
As part of our holistic admissions process, all applicants to Nexus Futbol Academy complete an academic assessment to help us understand their current level and ensure a strong fit for our program. Testing is just one component of our admissions package, which also includes transcripts, interviews, soccer evaluation, recommendation letters, and character review.
Grades 3 & 4: Nexus Academic Assessment
Applicants to grades 3 and 4 take a custom assessment created by our Curriculum Director and Head of School. This test evaluates core skills in:
Grades 5 and Up: ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam)
For students entering grade 5 or higher, we use the nationally recognized ISEE, administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB). The ISEE offers a standardized way to assess academic readiness and place students in the correct level of rigor at Nexus.
ISEE Test Levels We Use:
ISEE Sections:
We look at percentile rankings, section scores, and the writing sample to determine the student’s academic readiness. There is no single score that guarantees admission—our team considers test results in context with each student’s full application.
Students are not required to take the official ISEE through the ERB testing center. Instead, Nexus partners with Firat Education to administer, score, and analyze a full-length practice version of the ISEE. This allows our team to review not only the results but also the actual questions and student responses, giving us deeper insight into how each applicant thinks, where they may need support, and how they might perform in our academic environment. This approach supports our goal of identifying the right fit—not just based on scores, but on how students approach learning and problem solving.
This approach also provides families with flexibility. Students may choose to take the official ISEE through the ERB, or they can schedule the practice version directly with Firat Education or Nexus. Either option is accepted as part of the admissions process, and both allow us to gather the academic insights we need to determine the best fit for each student.
Preparation for the ISEE:
Preparing for the ISEE is essential—not just to improve scores, but to build confidence and reduce anxiety. We strongly encourage all families to take the time to prepare thoughtfully, whether through consistent practice, working with a tutor, or taking full-length diagnostic tests. Students who understand the structure of the test, practice key strategies, and learn from their mistakes are more likely to show their true potential. At Nexus, we care more about how a student approaches the challenge than achieving a perfect score—but preparation is key to giving us that insight.
You can find information about the test and preparation materials on the official ERB website. Our partners at Firat Education can also help prepare you for the ISEE. Please call or text (713) 725-8199 for more information.
As part of our holistic admissions process, all applicants to Nexus Futbol Academy complete an academic assessment to help us understand their current level and ensure a strong fit for our program. Testing is just one component of our admissions package, which also includes transcripts, interviews, soccer evaluation, recommendation letters, and character review.
Grades 3 & 4: Nexus Academic Assessment
Applicants to grades 3 and 4 take a custom assessment created by our Curriculum Director and Head of School. This test evaluates core skills in:
- Mathematics: Number sense, computation, problem solving
- English Language Arts: Reading comprehension, grammar, and writing
Grades 5 and Up: ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam)
For students entering grade 5 or higher, we use the nationally recognized ISEE, administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB). The ISEE offers a standardized way to assess academic readiness and place students in the correct level of rigor at Nexus.
ISEE Test Levels We Use:
- Lower Level: For students applying to grades 5–6
- Middle Level: For students applying to grades 7–8
- Upper Level: For students applying to grades 9–12
ISEE Sections:
- Verbal Reasoning – Vocabulary and reasoning with language
- Quantitative Reasoning – Math problem solving and logic
- Reading Comprehension – Understanding and interpreting texts
- Mathematics Achievement – Grade-level math skills
- Essay – An unscored writing sample sent to Nexus and reviewed as part of the admissions process
We look at percentile rankings, section scores, and the writing sample to determine the student’s academic readiness. There is no single score that guarantees admission—our team considers test results in context with each student’s full application.
Students are not required to take the official ISEE through the ERB testing center. Instead, Nexus partners with Firat Education to administer, score, and analyze a full-length practice version of the ISEE. This allows our team to review not only the results but also the actual questions and student responses, giving us deeper insight into how each applicant thinks, where they may need support, and how they might perform in our academic environment. This approach supports our goal of identifying the right fit—not just based on scores, but on how students approach learning and problem solving.
This approach also provides families with flexibility. Students may choose to take the official ISEE through the ERB, or they can schedule the practice version directly with Firat Education or Nexus. Either option is accepted as part of the admissions process, and both allow us to gather the academic insights we need to determine the best fit for each student.
Preparation for the ISEE:
Preparing for the ISEE is essential—not just to improve scores, but to build confidence and reduce anxiety. We strongly encourage all families to take the time to prepare thoughtfully, whether through consistent practice, working with a tutor, or taking full-length diagnostic tests. Students who understand the structure of the test, practice key strategies, and learn from their mistakes are more likely to show their true potential. At Nexus, we care more about how a student approaches the challenge than achieving a perfect score—but preparation is key to giving us that insight.
You can find information about the test and preparation materials on the official ERB website. Our partners at Firat Education can also help prepare you for the ISEE. Please call or text (713) 725-8199 for more information.