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Fall 2025: What to Expect at Your In-Person Entrance Exam

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At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, we seek applicants who have an interest in learning at an international level, a desire to make a contribution, a willingness to work hard, and an ambition to join a collaborative, supportive, and joyful community of peers, Learning Expert Teachers, and Subject Expert Teachers. Be ready to participate in a culture where academics are encouraged, learning is celebrated, and students have fun! In order to both ensure student success and manage the popularity of our program, admissions is a selective process.

What is the Entrance Exam?
The Entrance Exam is part of the admissions process for students applying for Grades 2 – 9 for fall 2025. Its results show us concepts understood, and concepts not yet understood for the grade level they are applying for. All applicants will take this BASIS Independent Schools Entrance Exam.

How will your Entrance Exam be conducted this year?
Entrance Exams will be conducted in person and on our campuses this admissions season. 

What is a passing score on the Entrance Exam?
This exam is not a pass or fail. Because the exam is diagnostic in nature, we consider it to be just one part of our comprehensive admissions process along with all the other application requirements. 

Each applicant is allowed to take the exam once. 

How will I learn the results of the Entrance Exam?
We do not share exam results with applicants or parents. 

Do you require students to take the ISEE or other similar outside exams? Do you accept these scores? 
We do not require the ISEE, HSPT, or SSAT, nor will the Admissions Team accept or review these scores. 

All Grade 2 – 9 applicants are required to take the BASIS Independent Schools Entrance Exam. 

What is on the Entrance Exam?
Our Entrance Exam covers three topics: math, English/Language Arts, and writing. The content of these exams is based on the foundational material needed for the grade students are applying for. 

  • Math: Students will be presented with a set of open-ended math questions based on their incoming grade level and the BASIS Curriculum Schools program. Exam length: 30 minutes. 
  • English/Language Arts: Students will be presented with reading comprehension and grammar multiple-choice questions. Students will read short passages and then answer questions to test their comprehension, as well as their knowledge of words in context, literary devices, etc. Students will also be presented with grammar questions that will ask them to correct sentences or identify parts of speech. Exam length: 30 minutes. 
  • Writing: Students will be presented with an essay prompt and asked to write a response. Exam length: 30 minutes. 

How long does the Entrance Exam take?
In total, we ask for families to allow two hours. The exam is self-paced, but students have up to 30 minutes for each topic. These two hours will allow enough time for the proctor to take attendance, read the instructions, and for all students to complete all three parts of the exam. 

We commonly find Middle and High School applicants take the full two hours, but for Grade 5 and below it can vary from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

How should my student prepare academically for the exam?
Preparation is not necessary. We want students to focus on their current academics at their current school, and not study for or stress over an exam they will never know the results of.

The exam is used by the Admissions Team and Head of School to find out where your student is, academically speaking. As BASIS Independent Schools offers an advanced curriculum, it is completely normal for your child to encounter some challenging or unknown concepts on our exam. 

What should my student bring to the exam?
Students are required to bring their own pencils and erasers. Admissions will have extra pencils and erasers if needed, but students should not depend on using them. Students are also welcome to bring a water bottle, but it can not be a glass bottle. We do not allow food in our classrooms.

Cell phones, calculators, rulers, and smartwatches are not allowed. 

When should we arrive on campus for the exam?
The campus will open 30 minutes before the exam start time, 9:30 AM. All exams will begin promptly at 10:00 AM. We will have a closed campus once the exam begins and will not allow late students to join. If students arrive after 9:55 AM, they will not be able to participate in the exam and will have to reschedule.

Families are encouraged to arrive by 9:45 AM at the latest to allow enough time to park, check-in, and have their students led to their assigned classrooms. 

What should parents do while their child takes the exam?
Parents will be able to wait in the campus parking lots for the duration of the exam but will not be permitted to wait inside the campus lobby (San Jose) or outside the classrooms (Sunnyvale). 

The exam is self-paced but a classroom will not be dismissed until all students have completed all three sections of the exam, or their allotted time has run out. 

We commonly find Middle and High School applicants take the full two hours, but for Grade 5 and below it can vary from 45 minutes to an hour and a half. As such, we would not advise parents leaving campus for more than 30 minutes to grab a coffee or run a quick errand. 

How do I sign up for an exam?
Once you submit an application, you will be guided in the application portal to schedule your exam date. While there is an application fee, there is no additional fee for the exam. The application fee covers all requirements of the application process.

When are the In-Person Entrance Exam dates?
Saturday, October 26 at 10:00 AM* (Early Admissions Only)
Saturday, January 25 at 10:00 AM* (Regular Admissions)
Saturday, February 8 at 10:00 AM* (Regular Admissions)

*Please note, once an exam date fills, we will close registration for that date and families will have to sign-up for the next available exam.

If you have any questions, email us at sv.admissions@basisindependent.com.

Fall 2025: What to Expect at Your Virtual Family Meeting

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At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, we seek applicants who have an interest in learning at an international level, a desire to make a contribution, a willingness to work hard, and an ambition to join a collaborative, supportive, and joyful community of peers, Learning Expert Teachers, and Subject Expert Teachers. Be ready to participate in a culture where academics are encouraged, learning is celebrated, and students have fun! In order to both ensure student success and manage the popularity of our program, admissions is a selective process.

What is the Family Meeting?
The Family Meeting is an essential part of the admissions process at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (BISV) and is part of our final admissions decision. This 30-minute meeting is the school’s opportunity to learn more about your child and your family’s interest in BISV.

While we are happy to answer questions about our program, the Family Meeting is not intended to be the first time families learn about our offerings. Prior to the Family Meeting, we strongly encourage families to visit our website and blog, attend an Admissions Event, or speak with a member of the Admissions Team.

When are the meetings held?
Family Meetings are held virtually Monday – Friday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM every 30 minutes. 

Who is required to attend the Family Meeting?
At least one parent or guardian is required to attend. Students applying for TK – Grade 1 are not required to attend. Students applying to Grades 2 – 9 are required to attend.

If your child is required to attend the Family Meeting and does not, you will be asked to reschedule. 

What if we are applying for more than one student?
Only register for one Family Meeting, and bring both students, if required to attend, to the same meeting. 

When does the meeting have to take place?
Those applying in Early Admissions must complete their Family Meeting by their Completion Deadline, Friday, November 8, 2024. Those applying to Regular Admissions must complete their Family Meeting by their Completion Deadline, Friday, February 14, 2025. 

How do we register for a Family Meeting?
Once you have submitted your application, you will be prompted to schedule your Family Meeting. 

If you’re not ready to choose a date and time, you can always log back in at a later date and choose one that is convenient. Please note: As we get closer to the Completion Deadline, there are fewer meeting times available. We would suggest scheduling one as soon as you are able. If you wait and are unable to schedule a Family Meeting for one of our offered times, your application will be incomplete, and you will not be considered for admission. 

How long is the Family Meeting?
Family Meetings are generally 30 minutes long. Oftentimes, those hosting the Family Meeting will have back-to-back appointments and will be unable to go over the 30-minute mark. 

Who will we be meeting with?
Our Family Meetings are hosted by members of the Admissions Team, members of our Administration, and even some of our Subject Expert Teachers! You never know who will be hosting, but you’ll always get to speak with a member of the Bobcat community.  

What questions will we be asked?
The meeting is our chance to get to know you and your child more in a one-on-one setting. We may ask you questions about why you’re interested in BISV, your child’s academic and non-academic interests, and even what they like to do with their free time. 

We discourage any formal interview prep, as it tends to make students more nervous when we are just trying to get to know them. We want all students to feel comfortable and be themselves. 

How will the Family Meeting be held?
You will receive a reminder email 24 hours before your meeting time with a Zoom link to your virtual meeting. When your meeting time arrives, please log in to your meeting via Zoom. 

Can we ask questions at the end? 
If there is time, yes! But always note who you are speaking to. Whoever hosts your meeting will always introduce themselves and let you know their role at the school. If their role is not in relation to your question, they will let you know, and encourage you to reach out to the Admissions Team for an answer. 

We look forward to meeting you and your student(s) soon at your Virtual Family Meeting!

If you have any questions, email us at sv.admissions@basisindependent.com

Fall 2025: What to Expect at Your Virtual Play Date

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At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, we seek applicants who have an interest in learning at an international level, a desire to make a contribution, a willingness to work hard, and an ambition to join a collaborative, supportive, and joyful community of peers, Learning Expert Teachers, and Subject Expert Teachers. Be ready to participate in a culture where academics are encouraged, learning is celebrated, and students have fun! In order to both ensure student success and manage the popularity of our program, admissions is a selective process.


What is the Virtual Play Date?
The play-based assessment provides our teachers, administrators, and admissions staff the opportunity to get to know your child and observe your child’s social-emotional and academic development in a one-on-one setting.

The virtual assessment will take place in the comfort of your own home and we request that you have a few materials available for your child to use during the duration of the Play Date.  

Play Dates generally last 30 minutes and feature time for our teacher or administrator to get to know your child, followed by an age-appropriate lesson or activity. 

What materials should be brought to the Play Date?
Your child should be comfortable and sitting in a chair at a table. Please have these materials ready for your child:

  • A recently created piece of artwork
  • Several sheets of paper
  • Writing or drawing utensils (crayons / color pencils / markers / pencil)
  • A favorite book
  • A favorite toy

When are the Play Dates held?
Play Dates are held virtually Monday – Friday, as early as 8:30 AM and as late as 2:00 PM, for 30-minute periods. 

Who is required to attend the Play Date?
One adult (a parent, guardian, caregiver, or family member) is required to be present, but this person is expected to only provide technical support as needed. We hope to interact with your child independently of the adult.

We ask that the adult in the room sit behind and to the side of the child so that our teacher or administrator may be able to effectively conduct this assessment without adult interference. 

When does the Play Date have to take place?
Those applying in Early Admissions must complete their Play Date by their Completion Deadline, Friday, November 8, 2024. Those applying to Regular Admissions must complete their Play Date by their Completion Deadline, Friday, February 14, 2025. 

How do we register for a Play Date?
Once you have submitted your application, you will be prompted to schedule your Play Date. 

If you’re not ready to choose a date and time, you can always log back in at a later date and choose one that is convenient. Please note: As we get closer to the Completion Deadline, there are fewer meeting times available. We would suggest scheduling one as soon as you are able. If you wait and are unable to schedule a Play Date for one of our offered times, your application will be incomplete, and you will not be considered for admission. 

How long is the Play Date?
Play Dates are generally 30 minutes long. Oftentimes, those hosting the Play Date will have back-to-back appointments and will be unable to go over the 30-minute mark. 

Whom will we be meeting with?
Our Play Dates are hosted by members of the Admissions Team, members of our Administration, and even some of our Subject Expert Teachers! You never know who will be hosting, but your child will always get to meet with a member of our community. 

What if my child doesn’t know all the answers?
That’s ok! We are meeting with them to gauge where they are socially, emotionally, and academically. We know and understand not all students are in the same place. 

What if my child doesn’t speak English?
While we understand not all students will be proficient in English, we are looking for more than a beginner level of English fluency. Students should be able to answer questions from the host about themselves, numbers, colors, a book or toy, etc. in English. The host should not have to speak slowly or repeat themselves for the child to understand. The adult attending the Play Date should also not offer any assistance or translation for the child.

How will the Play Date be held?
You will receive a reminder email 24 hours before your meeting time with a Zoom link to your Virtual Play Date. When your meeting time arrives, please log in to your meeting via Zoom. 

What if my child doesn’t do well due to unforeseen circumstances?
We know children don’t always have good days, a good night’s sleep, their tummy hurts, they are overly shy – we understand all these things. 

It is the right of the Admissions Office to reschedule if we feel it is necessary, however, we will not offer to reschedule if the adult feels the child did not do well or their best. As this is an assessment, only one opportunity for the assessment is allowed.  

Will we know the results of the Play Date?
No, we do not share assessment results with applicants or parents.  

We look forward to meeting your student(s) at their Virtual Play Date!

If you have any questions, email us at sv.admissions@basisindependent.com.

Early Admissions: Complete Your Child’s Application in the Next 15 Days

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As we start this season of gratitude, I am thankful to be part of a such a dynamic learning community – a community that appreciates advanced academics and a spirit of teamwork and collaboration. Here, at BASIS Independent McLean (BIM), each student, faculty member, and administrator strives to be an EPIC Hawk.

EPIC stands for empathy, perseverance, integrity and curiosity. And, I am thankful to be part of a community that values these character traits.

I also want to thank you for taking the time to learn more about BIM. I hope that our stories of learning and fun have inspired your family to join us. And, with only 15 days until the Early Admissions application deadline, now is the time to take that first step towards joining us next year.

The Early Admissions application deadline of November 15 is quickly approaching! Remember that this is just the deadline for submitting the application. You still have until December 1 to complete the application and receive your child’s decision on December 7. However, with the holidays right around the corner, we know that your to-do list is growing. With just a little planning ahead, you can submit your child’s application today and make the Early Admissions deadline!

Here are some tips for chipping away on your child’s application checklist:

  • Don’t wait! Request your child’s transcripts and teacher recommendations:
    • December 1 is the deadline for completing your child’s application, but it’s best to submit your requests for these items early. Giving your child’s current school and teachers extra time to submit these items will make the entire process less stressful.
    • Note: For grades 1 and above, we need teacher recommendations from the Math and English teacher(s) and transcripts for this year and the previous two years (if applicable).
  • Don’t try to do it all at once! Break down the application into manageable parts:
    • Log in and start the application. You can complete just a bit and save as you go. That 10-minute window before your next Zoom call could get you halfway through the application.
    • Submit your child’s application early! Submitting your application early gives us time to help with questions prior to the deadline. Plus, it allows you to start scheduling any remaining application pieces through our application portal.
    • Select a date and time for your child’s Family Meeting/Interview. This is an important part of the application. Here, we learn about your child’s interests and hobbies, as well as your family’s educational philosophy and goals.
    • Schedule your child’s Entrance Exam. If your child is applying to grades 2 and above, they need to complete a BIM Entrance Exam.
      • Students in grades 2 and 3 take a one-on-one exam with a member of team via Zoom. Once you submit your application, a member of our team will contact you to help set-up a date and time.
      • For students applying to grades 4 and above, we offer the exam virtually once a week. We are also offering the Entrance Exam in-person on Saturday, November 18. Space is limited for this on-campus exam date.


Once you’re done, it is time to take a few days to relax and recharge! Please remember that our team is here to help you throughout the process. We look forward to receiving your application, and we hope that your family finds many ways to celebrate this season of gratitude!

P.S. Haven’t attended an informational event yet? Join us virtually on Friday, November 17 or in-person on Saturday, November 18 for an Information Session to learn more about BIM!

Prepare to Soar: The 2024-25 Application is Open

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We are excited to have our halls filled again with the laughter and chatter of happy students moving between classes and to see our passionate, expert teachers using engaging and interactive learning to bring subjects to life. And, we can’t wait to see what will come as these talented Red-Tailed Hawks learn and grow this school year.

The start of school also means the beginning of the 2024-25 admissions process. So, your child’s BASIS Independent McLean (BIM) journey begins here. As you explore our curriculum and community, it is our goal to show you how BIM can prepare your child to soar!

2024-25 Application Live

The 2024-25 application is now live for students from age 2-grade 10! Start your application today.

If you are still interested in admissions for the 2023-24 school year, we do still have limited space available in some grades, so please contact me today.

If you are new to our interest list, welcome! For those returning, welcome back! Please use our website, blogs, and social media to research our school. As a member of our interest list, you will continue to receive important admissions information on application deadlines, upcoming events, and community traditions and achievements. If you have not yet joined our interest list, join here.

Key Admissions Dates & Deadlines

We have two admission cycles: Early Admissions and Regular Admissions. The applications for both cycles are now open, and the requirements for both cycles are the same. The main differences are the application deadlines and notification and response timelines. If you know that BIM is your top choice, we encourage you to apply during Early Admissions to secure your child’s place as quickly as possible.

Let’s review the deadlines and timelines associated with each cycle.

Early Admissions

Application Submission Deadline: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Application Completion Deadline: Friday, December 1, 2023
Decision Released: Thursday, December 7, 2023
Response Deadline: Wednesday, January 10, 2024


Regular Admissions

Application Submission Deadline: Saturday, January 20, 2024
Application Completion Deadline: Thursday, February 1, 2024
Decision Released: Friday, March 1, 2024
Response Deadline: Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Regardless of which cycle you choose, the Admissions team recommends that you get started on your child’s application today!

Visit with Us

Our Admissions team has created a variety of virtual and in-person opportunities for you to learn more about BIM. To see all visit options, please visit the Admissions Event section of our website. From Information Sessions to Open Houses and tours to Shadow Days, we are planning robust experiences for your family and your child.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me at stephanie.cancienne@basisindependent.com or 703.991.6075. As always, we look forward to getting to know your family and your child!