The Ultimate ISEE Middle Level Math Formula Cheat Sheet
TL;DR: Applying to private school for grade 7 or 8? The ISEE Middle Level math sections are Quantitative Reasoning (37 questions in 35 minutes) and Mathematics Achievement (47 questions in 40 minutes), with no calculator and no reference sheet. Every formula on this page needs to be cold before test day. Memorize them in chunks over a few weeks and your child won’t waste test-day energy reconstructing the basics.
Quick answer: The core middle school math formulas are area (rectangle A = lw, triangle A = ½bh, circle A = πr²), volume (prism V = Bh, cylinder V = πr²h), the Pythagorean theorem a² + b² = c², slope m = (y₂ − y₁) ÷ (x₂ − x₁), percent change, mean, and simple interest I = prt. Example: legs 3 and 4 give a hypotenuse of 5 (9 + 16 = 25).
Key takeaways:
- ISEE Middle Level has TWO math sections: Quantitative Reasoning (37Q/35min) and Mathematics Achievement (47Q/40min).
- Total math: 84 questions across 75 minutes.
- No calculator allowed; no formula reference sheet.
- Designed for students applying to grades 7 or 8 (currently grade 5, 6, or 7).
- Memorize area, volume, slope, the Pythagorean theorem, basic statistics.
Mixed Numbers
A number is composed of a whole number and a fraction. Example: \(2 \frac{2}{ 3}\) Converting between improper fractions and mixed numbers: \(a \frac{c}{b}=a+\frac{c}{b}= \frac{ab+ c}{b}\)
Factoring Numbers
Factor a number means breaking it up into numbers that can be multiplied together to get the original number. Example:\(12=2×2×3\)
Integers
\( \{…,-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,…\} \)
Includes: zero, counting numbers, and the negative of the counting numbers
Real Numbers
All numbers that are on a number line. Integers plus fractions, decimals, irrationals, and so on. (\(\sqrt{2},\sqrt{3},π\), etc.)
Order of Operations
PEMDAS
(parentheses/ exponents/ multiply/ divide/ add/ subtract)
Absolute Value
Refers to the distance of a number from 0. Distances are never negative, so the absolute value of a number cannot be negative. \(|-22|=22\)
or (|x| = x for x ≥ 0, and |x| = −x for x < 0)
\(|x|<n⇒-n<x<n\)
\(|x|>n⇒x<-n or x>n\)
Ratios
A ratio is a comparison of two numbers by division.
Example: \(3: 5\), or \(\frac{3}{5}\)
Percentages
Use the following formula to find part, whole, or percent
part \(=\frac{percent}{100}×whole\)
Proportional Ratios
A proportion means that two ratios are equal. It can be written in two ways:
\(\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d}\), \(a: b = c: d \)
Percent of Change
\(\frac{New \ Value \ – \ Old \ Value}{Old Value}×100\%\)
Expressions and Variables
A variable is a letter that represents unspecified numbers. One may use a variable in the same manner as all other numbers: Addition: \(2+a\): \(2\) plus a
Subtraction: \(y-3\): \(y\) minus \(3\)
Division: \(\frac{4}{x}\): 4 divided by x
Multiplication: \(5a\): \(5\) times a
Distributive Property
\(a(b+c)=ab+ac\)
Equations
The values of the two mathematical expressions are equal.
\(ax+b=c\)
Distance from A to B:
\(\sqrt{(x_{1}-x_{2})^2+(y_{1}-y_{2})^2 }\)
Parallel and Perpendicular lines:
Have equal slopes. Perpendicular lines (i.e., those that make a \(90^° \) angle where they intersect) have negative reciprocal slopes: \(m_{1}\).\(m_{2}=-1\).
Parallel Lines (l \(\parallel\) m)
Mid-point of the segment AB:
M (\(\frac{x_{1}+x_{2}}{2}, \frac{y_{1}+y_{2}}{2}\))
Slope of the line:
\(\frac{y_{2}- y_{1}}{x_{2} – x_{1} }=\frac{rise}{run}\)
Point-slope form:
Given the slope m and a point \((x_{1},y_{1})\) on the line, the equation of the line is
\((y-y_{1})=m \ (x-x_{1})\).
Slope-intercept form:
given the slope m and the y-intercept b, then the equation of the line is:
\(y=mx+b\).
Factoring:
“FOIL”
\((x+a)(x+b)\)
\(=x^2+(b+a)x +ab\) “Difference of Squares”
\(a^2-b^2= (a+b)(a-b)\)
\(a^2+2ab+b^2=(a+b)(a+b) \)
\(a^2-2ab+b^2=(a-b)(a-b)\) “Reverse FOIL”
\(x^2+(b+a)x+ab=\) \((x+a)(x+b)\)
You can use Reverse FOIL to factor a polynomial by thinking about two numbers a and b which add to the number in front of the x, and which multiply to give the constant. For example, to factor \(x^2+5x+6\), the numbers add to 5 and multiply to 6, i.e.: \(a=2\) and \(b=3\), so that \(x^2+5x+6=(x+2)(x+3)\). To solve a quadratic such as \(x^2+bx+c=0\), first factor the left side to get \((x+a)(x+b)=0\), then set each part in parentheses equal to zero. For example, \(x^2+4x+3= (x+3)(x+1)=0\) so that \(x=-3\) or \(x=-1\).
To solve two linear equations in x and y: use the first equation to substitute for a variable in the second. E.g., suppose \(x+y=3\) and \(4x-y=2\). The first equation gives y=3-x, so the second equation becomes \(4x-(3-x)=2 ⇒ 5x-3=2\) \(⇒ x=1,y=2\).
Exponents:
Refers to the number of times a number is multiplied by itself.
\(8 = 2 × 2 × 2 = 2^3\)
Scientific Notation:
It is a way of expressing numbers that are too big or too small to be conveniently written in decimal form.
In scientific notation all numbers are written in this form: \(m \times 10^n\)
Decimal notation:
5
\(-25,000\)
0.5
2,122.456
Scientific notation:
\(5×10^0\)
\(-2.5×10^4\)
\(5×10^{-1}\)
(2.122456×10^3)
Square:
The number we get after multiplying a number by itself. Example: \(2×2=4,2^2=4\)
Square Roots:
A square root of \(x\) is a number r whose square is \(x: r^2=x\)
\(r\) is a square root of \(x\)
Pythagorean Theorem:
For any right triangle with legs \(a\) and \(b\) and hypotenuse \(c\): \(a^2+b^2=c^2\)
Solving for the hypotenuse: \(c=\sqrt{a^2+b^2}\)
Solving for a leg: \(a=\sqrt{c^2-b^2}\)
Common Pythagorean triples: \(3,4,5\); \(5,12,13\); \(8,15,17\); \(7,24,25\)
Triangles
Area: \(A=\frac{1}{2}bh\) where \(b\) is the base and \(h\) is the height.
Perimeter: \(P=a+b+c\) (sum of all three sides).
Pythagorean Theorem (right triangles): \(a^2+b^2=c^2\) where \(c\) is the hypotenuse.
Sum of interior angles: \(180°\)
All triangles:
Area \(=\frac{1}{2}\) b. H
Angles on the inside of any triangle add up to \(180^\circ\).
The length of one side of any triangle is always less than the sum and more than the difference between the lengths of the other two sides.
An exterior angle of any triangle is equal to the sum of the two remote interior angles. Other important triangles:
Equilateral:
These triangles have three equal sides, and all three angles are \(60^\circ\).
Isosceles:
An isosceles triangle has two equal sides. The “base” angles (the ones opposite the two equal sides) are equal (see the \(45^\circ\) triangle above).
Circles

Area \(=πr^2\)
Circumference \(=2πr\)
Full circle \(=360^\circ\)
Rectangles

(Square if l=w)
Area=lw

Parallelogram
(Rhombus if l=w)
Area=lh
Regular polygons are n-sided figures with all sides equal and all angles equal.
The sum of the inside angles of an n-sided regular polygon is
\((n-2).180^\circ\).
Area of a trapezoid:
\(A =\frac{1}{2} h (b_{1}+b_{2})\)
Surface Area and Volume of a Rectangular/right prism:
\(SA=ph+2B\)
\(V=Bh\)
Surface Area and Volume of a Cylinder:
\(SA =2πrh+2πr^2\)
\(V =πr^2 h \)
Surface Area and Volume of a Cone
\(SA =πrs+πr^2\)
\(V=\frac{1}{3} \ πr^2 \ h\)
Surface Area and Volume of a Sphere
\(SA =4πr^2\)
\(V =\frac{4}{3} \ πr^3\)
(p \(=\) perimeter of base B; \(π ~ 3.14 \))
Simple interest:
\(I=prt\)
(I = interest, p = principal, r = rate, t = time)
mean:
mean: \(\frac{sum \ of \ the \ data}{of \ data \ entires}\)
mode:
value in the list that appears most often
range:
largest value \(-\) smallest value
Median
The middle value in the list (which must be sorted)
Example: median of
\( \{3,10,9,27,50\} = 10\)
Example: median of
\( \{3,9,10,27\}=\frac{(9+10)}{2}=9.5 \)
Average
\( \frac{sum \ of \ terms}{number \ of \ terms}\)
Average speed
\(\frac{total \ distance}{total \ time}\)
Probability
\(\frac{number \ of \ desired \ outcomes}{number \ of \ total \ outcomes}\)
The probability of two different events A and B both happening is:
P(A and B)=p(A).p(B)
as long as the events are independent (one does not change the chance of the other).
Powers, Exponents, Roots
\(x^a.x^b=x^{a+b}\)
\(\frac{x^a}{x^b} = x^{a-b}\)
\(\frac{1}{x^b }= x^{-b}\)
\((x^a)^b=x^{a.b}\)
\((xy)^a= x^a.y^a\)
\(x^0=1\)
\(\sqrt{xy}=\sqrt{x}.\sqrt{y}\)
\((-1)^n=-1\), if n is odd.
\((-1)^n=+1\), if n is even.
If \(0<x<1\), then
(0 < x³ < x² < x < √x < ∛x < 1).
Simple Interest
The charge for borrowing money or the return for lending it.
Interest = principal \(×\) rate \(×\) time
OR
\(I=prt\)
Powers/ Exponents
\(x^a×x^b=x^{a+b}\)
\(\frac{x^a}{x^b}=x^{a-b}\)
\((x^a)^b=x^{ab}\)
\(x^0=1\)
\(x^{-a}=\frac{1}{x^a}\)
\(x^{\frac{1}{n}}=\sqrt[n]{x}\)
Positive Exponents
An exponent is simply shorthand for multiplying that number of identical factors. So \(4^3\) is the same as (4)(4)(4), three identical factors of 4. And \(x^3\) is just three factors of \(x\), \((x)(x)(x)\).
Negative Exponents
A negative exponent means to divide by that number of factors instead of multiplying.
So \(4^{-3}\) is the same as \( \frac{1}{4^3}\) and
\(x^{-3}=\frac{1}{x^3}\)
Factorials
Factorial- the product of a number and all counting numbers below it.
8 factorial \(=8!=\)
\(8×7×6×5×4×3×2×1=40,320\)
5 factorial \(=5!=\)
\(5×4×3×2×1=120\)
2 factorial \(=2!=2× 1=2\)
Multiplying Two Powers of the SAME Base
When the bases are the same, you find the new power by just adding the exponents
\(x^a.x^b=x^{a+b }\)
Powers of Powers
For the power of power: you multiply the exponents.
\((x^a)^b=x^{(ab)}\)
Dividing Powers
\(\frac{x^a}{x^b} =x^a x^{-b}= x^{a-b}\)
The Zero Exponent
Anything to the 0 power is 1.
\(x^0= 1\)
The Best Books to Ace the ISEE Middle-Level Math Test
Recommended EffortlessMath Books
For a workbook your child can use alongside this cheat sheet, the ISEE Middle Level Math for Beginners walks through every topic with worked examples. For complete admissions prep with multiple full-length practice tests, see the ISEE Middle Level Math Test Prep Bundle.
Middle School Math Formulas by Grade, in One Table
Most of these formulas build on each other from 6th to 8th grade. The grade column follows where the Common Core standards first expect each one.
| Formula | What it finds | Usually taught |
|---|---|---|
| A = ½bh | Area of a triangle | Grade 6 |
| V = lwh | Volume of a rectangular prism | Grade 6 |
| Mean = sum ÷ count | Average of a data set | Grade 6 |
| C = 2πr, A = πr² | Circumference and area of a circle | Grade 7 |
| I = prt | Simple interest | Grade 7 |
| (new − old) ÷ old × 100% | Percent change | Grade 7 |
| a² + b² = c² | Missing side of a right triangle | Grade 8 |
| m = (y₂ − y₁) ÷ (x₂ − x₁) | Slope of a line | Grade 8 |
| V = πr²h, V = ⅓πr²h, V = (4/3)πr³ | Volume of a cylinder, cone and sphere | Grade 8 |
For the ISEE Middle Level, students applying to grades 7 and 8 should know all of these, since the test includes skills from the grade they are finishing.
Three Formula Pairs Students Often Swap
The formulas themselves are short. The trouble usually comes from picking the wrong one.
- Circumference or area? For a circle with radius 5, C = 2π(5) = 10π ≈ 31.4 units, but A = π(5²) = 25π ≈ 78.5 square units. If the answer is in square units, you need area.
- Which value goes on the bottom in percent change? Always the old value. From 40 to 50 is (50 − 40) ÷ 40 = 25% up. From 50 to 40 is (40 − 50) ÷ 50 = 20% down. Same gap, different percent.
- Cylinder or cone? With r = 3 and h = 4, the cylinder holds π(9)(4) = 36π ≈ 113.1 cubic units. The cone with the same base and height holds one third of that, 12π ≈ 37.7 cubic units.
A quick habit helps: before you calculate, say out loud what the answer measures (length, area or volume) and pick the formula that matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic middle school math formulas?
The core list is area (rectangle lw, triangle ½bh, circle πr²), circumference 2πr, volume (prism Bh, cylinder πr²h), the Pythagorean theorem a² + b² = c², slope (y₂ − y₁) ÷ (x₂ − x₁), percent change, mean, and simple interest I = prt. For example, $500 at 4% for 3 years earns 500 × 0.04 × 3 = $60 in interest.
Is there a middle school math reference sheet on the ISEE?
No. The ISEE Middle Level gives students no formula reference sheet and does not allow a calculator, so every formula must be memorized ahead of time. Many families make their own one-page sheet for study, then have the student rewrite it from memory until nothing is missing. On test day, everything has to come from memory.
What math topics are on the ISEE Middle Level?
Expect whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percents, ratios and proportions, algebraic expressions and simple equations, geometry and measurement, and data analysis and probability. Quantitative Reasoning tests how you think through problems, often with little computing, while Mathematics Achievement looks more like classroom math with step-by-step calculations.
How many math questions are on the ISEE Middle Level test?
There are 84 math questions in two sections: Quantitative Reasoning has 37 questions in 35 minutes, and Mathematics Achievement has 47 questions in 40 minutes. That is under a minute per question, so formulas need to come instantly. Timed practice without a calculator is the best way to build that speed.
Is there an ISEE Middle Level practice test?
Yes. ERB, the organization that runs the ISEE, offers official practice materials, and many prep books include full-length Middle Level practice tests. Take one early to find weak spots, then study the formulas behind every missed question, such as the trapezoid area ½h(b₁ + b₂), before trying another full test under timed conditions.
Related EffortlessMath Lessons
If a topic on this page feels rusty, these short lessons go deeper:
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