How to Study for the IE University Admissions Test

Applying to IE University in Spain but didn’t do well on the SAT? Then you may want to take the IE University Admissions Test.

What?!? No SAT?

Before you jump at the chance NOT to take the SAT, let’s break down the IE University Admissions Test and why you may want to take it, even if you took the SAT.

What is the IE University Admissions Test?

The IE University Admissions Test is a 90-minute test (it’s actually less than that but it varies) specifically designed for students applying to IE.

Here’s what IE has to say about the test:

Depending on the major you want, the test will be slightly different. We’ll cover the most common sections so you know what to expect.

Language Skills (10 minutes)

Assesses skills in terms of writing, reasoning, use of language, vocabulary, spelling, and grammar.

Numerical Reasoning (12 minutes)

To assess your ability to draw conclusions from charts, graphs, and tables. Most questions are true, false, or cannot say.

Verbal Reasoning (12 minutes)

To assess your ability to interpret texts fluently, correctly apply the mental processes associated with the categorization of verbal concepts and information, correctly detail the main, supporting, and/or complementary ideas to draw correct conclusions from a written text. Most questions are true, false, or cannot say.

Deductive Logical Thinking (5 minutes)

To assess your ability to identify logical criteria applied to sequences. Think: Identifying the next step in a pattern or sequence.

Learning Efficiency (5 minutes)

Here’s what IE claims this section is about:

“This test measures the ability to remember objects that are shown very quickly in the right order.”

Guess what it really is…

A memory test! That’s right. Let’s see if you can remember what you’ve seen.

Can you prepare for the IE University Admissions Test?

Absolutely!

Despite what is written on IE’s website, you can prepare for the test and we have seen students increase the number of correct answers with practice.

Even just knowing the actual format of the test increases your score.

We firmly believe that you can prepare for EVERY test…and should.

Our homeboy Benjamin Franklin once said (or wrote):

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

So, here’s how we prepare students for the IE University Admissions Test.

How to Prepare for the IE University Admissions Test

1. Become familiar with the format of the test.

Read IE’s admissions test page to learn everything you can about the exam.

2. Use SAT reading, writing, and math strategies for these sections.

Once you actually start looking at each test section, you’ll see some examples of the questions that parallel (though not exactly the same) what you have seen on the SAT. You can use the same strategies!

For the Language Skills section, use your SAT writing knowledge. The Language Skills section is essentially a very stripped-down English grammar and diction test. It will be pretty easy after studying for the SAT writing section.

The Numerical Reasoning questions are easier versions of SAT math section 4 (the calculator section), which includes more charts, data, and graphs for analysis than the non-calculator section. You won’t need a calculator for the IE test, but you should know your fractions, percents, and decimal equivalents. You may need to estimate the relative numbers from charts and tables.

For Verbal Reasoning questions, use your SAT reading strategies. You’ll have to read the passage quickly and carefully, then use process of elimination (POE) to eliminate the incorrect answers.

3. Do more practice for the Verbal Reasoning section.

The verbal reasoning part of the IE University Admissions test can be like a logic puzzle. Think true, false, not enough information.

We’ve used these before with students and seen improvement:

If you want something else to practice, try logic puzzles! You can think about them and work them out. It uses the same skills as the Verbal Reasoning section.

Lots of Logic Puzzles

4. Practice for the Deductive Logical Thinking section!

Everyone will tell you that the Deductive Logical Thinking section can’t be prepared for. They are ABSOLUTELY wrong. We have worked with students for a mere 30 minutes and seen their accuracy skyrocket on these types of questions.

Why?

We retune your brain.

Ok not literally…but the process does happen.

The last time you saw anything about geometric or number patterns and sequences was in primary school. You have been seeing them since then, but they have not been explicitly addressed. Once you start this practice, you will wake up your baby brain and force it to actually identify the patterns again. While this process works better with a tutor, you can still do it alone. Here’s the practice you need (do all the easy, then medium, then difficult):

5. Get your mind right for the Learning Efficiency section.

We actually think the Learning Efficiency section is the hardest part of the IE University Admissions test.

Why?

Because it requires concentration and memory!

When is the last time you had to really focus on something? How often do you have to remember something that you see only briefly?

Almost never in your daily life. You’re going to need to do some targeted practice if you want to do well on the IE Learning Efficiency section.

Here’s the practice you need:

If you’re really serious (or really struggling), play Memory. Yes, this is a game you play with toddlers to improve their memories, but it works for teens and adults too.

Play Memory online

You should choose to play against the computer and the 6 x 6 board for optimum practice. After about 30 minutes of really playing, you will see your concentration and memory improve.

We’ve even had students warm-up for the IE University Admissions tests by playing a game or two of Memory before they begin.

Should you take the IE University Admissions Test or SAT?

This is the magic question. It’s not really. You should take both.

Preparing for the SAT will make you sharp for the Sufficiency of Information, Numerical Calculation, and English Placement sections of the IE test. This advanced preparation drastically cuts down the amount of time needed to prepare for the IE test.

More importantly, the IE University Admissions Test is only good for IE. If you are applying to other universities (which you should be), they will not accept the IE Test. Therefore, you will probably have to take the SAT anyway.

So then why bother with the IE test?

It’s a great backup in case the SAT doesn’t go how you want. IE University accepts a MINIMUM of 1200 on the SAT.

Less than 1200 on the SAT? Take the IE test as well. We can prepare you for BOTH exams.

Need help preparing for the Digital SAT?

Whatsapp us to chat with an American SAT instructor with more than 15 years of experience teaching SAT to students just like you. Our students see a minimum of 150-point score improvement! Want to know more first? Check out our online and in-person options.

How to Study for the IE University Admissions Test