Introduction

The Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) provides examinations and assessments for pupils transitioning from prep and junior schools to independent senior schools in the UK.   If your child is applying for a selective place, you should contact the individual school who will be able to offer further guidance on their admissions.  It is also a good idea to visit each school with your child to get a better feel and see if it is the right environment for them.

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Examinations and Assessments

Common Entrance

Common Entrance (CE) examinations are taken by pupils at either 11+ or 13+, as part of their application to some of the leading senior schools in the UK.

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Pupils at 11+ sit assessments in English, mathematics and science when they are in Year 6, usually for applications to girls' schools.  This is because boys' boarding schools have historically started at 13, not 11.  At 13+ pupils also sit assessments in these core subjects, alongside papers selected from a wide range of humanities, language and classical subjects. 

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CE assessments are designed to give pupils transitioning from prep and junior schools to senior schools the chance to demonstrate what they know, understand and can achieve when they arrive at their new school.  They aim to equip pupils not only for the next stage of their education, but for life-long learning based on a secure foundation of subject knowledge, concepts and skills.

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CE at 11+

Pupils sit the CE assessment at 11+ when they are in Year 6, mainly for entrance to senior independent girls’ schools. There are two examination sessions each year, in November and January; however, most pupils sit the examination in January. The assessment consists of three papers; English, mathematics and science.

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English CE at 11+ Specification
Mathematics CE at 11+ Specification
Science CE at 11+ Specification

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CE at 13+

The CE assessment at 13+ is strongly supported by many of the top prep and independent senior schools in the UK and beyond. Covering a wide set of subjects, CE rigorous specifications provide clear academic focus for pupils in Years 7 and 8, and great preparation for GCSEs. Pupils sit the CE assessment at 13+ when they are in Year 8, and there are three examination sessions each year; November, January and May/June. 

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All candidates sit three compulsory papers; English, mathematics and science, and they may be required to sit additional papers in a wide range of subjects including geography, history, classics, modern foreign languages, and theology, philosophy and religion.

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Which schools use the CE at 13+?

It is used by many of the UK's top independent schools.  Here is the full list of senior schools which use the Common Entrance at 13+ for all or part of their entry procedure.

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What is the Prep School Baccalaureate?

The Prep School Baccalaureate (PSB – not related to the International Baccalaureate or IB) is an alternative framework of assessment to CE, developed by a group of prep schools and recognised by a number of leading senior schools.  The PSB's programme of study aims to prepare and equip students for the 21st century: academically, personally, socially, culturally and spiritually, by developing 'vital skills in independent learning, in the appropriate use of technology, and in critical thinking'.  It also promotes the development of leadership skills and teamworking. 

 

Subject skills and subject knowledge are assessed using a 10 Point Scale, whilst core skills are assessed using the narrative equivalent.  When transferring pupils to senior school, Member Schools use the Transfer Document to provide a holistic picture of the pupil and their achievements in all areas.  The Pupil Certificate is awarded to pupils at the end of Year 6 or 8.

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Which schools offer and accept the PSB?

It is used by many of the UK's top independent schools. Here is the full list of PSB schools.  Some senior schools accept the PSB certificate on its own for entry at 11+/13+, others use it in conjunction with pre-testing and/or CE exams. 

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Common Pre-Tests

Common Pre-Tests (CPT) are online and adaptive, and are designed to give senior schools information about prospective pupils’ attainment and potential, to support the application process. They are usually taken when a pupil is in Year 6 or Year 7, and include four tests; mathematics, English (reading comprehension and grammar), verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. The four tests can be taken together or at separate times, either in the pupils’ own school or at the senior school to which they have applied. The standard test time for the four tests is 2 hours 15 minutes.

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The ISEB Common Pre-Tests are a ‘shared assessment’ which provides a set of four online entrance assessments that a wide range of senior schools accept, allowing candidates to sit the tests once, and then have their results shared with all the schools to which they have applied.

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What are the benefits of a shared assessment?

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Wellbeing: Candidates applying to multiple schools only need sit the tests once which means that they do not have to miss lesson time to sit separate tests, or prepare for a range of differing tests.  

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Results: Students anywhere in the UK and overseas can sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests, meaning senior schools can make comparisons across all applicants. Senior schools are able to compare results from all of their applicants, no matter where or when they sat the tests, as they are ‘common’ to all pupils. The results are standardised against a sample of pupils applying for independent school admission, giving consistency across each cohort of pupils.

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Flexibility: The tests can be taken anytime between October and June of that academic year. Senior schools can set their deadlines to ensure they see the results in time, and if they do have late applicants who have already sat the Common Pre-Tests, they do not need to make additional testing arrangements. If a late applicant has not already sat the Common Pre-Tests, this can be arranged and, as the results are age-standardised, they can be compared with the rest of the cohort.

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Which schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?

It is used by many of the UK's top independent schools.  Here is the full list of schools that use the ISEB Common Pre-Test for entry.

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What is covered on the ISEB Common Pre-Test?

The ISEB Common Pre-Test assesses four subjects:

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• Maths

• English (reading comprehension and SPaG)

• Non-verbal reasoning

• Verbal reasoning

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The English and maths sections are based on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum taught up to the end of Year 5.  They assess a pupil's ability to recall what they have been taught and apply this knowledge to solve problems.

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Verbal and non-verbal reasoning are designed to test a pupil's academic potential through unfamiliar question types, and focus on the ability to acquire information and apply it to new situations.

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ISEB Timings

The timings of each test are as follows:

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• Maths: 40 minutes

• English: 40 minutes 

• Non-verbal reasoning: 30 minutes

• Verbal reasoning: 25 minutes

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Candidates can sit the four subjects all together or at separate times.  If taking them all on the same day, they are allowed a short break between each section.

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What format is the ISEB Common Pre-Test?

The ISEB is a multiple-choice test which is sat entirely online on a computer.  It has the following unique features:

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• No back button: because the test is adaptive, candidates cannot go back to review or change their answers.  The ISEB has a fixed number of questions and these become more challenging towards the end, and are worth more marks. Therefore, students should take their time answering the questions as accuracy is much more important than speed.

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• The next button will not appear until an answer is selected: this ensures that candidates do not move on from a question without selecting an answer.

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• Progress bar: candidates can see how much of the test they have completed and how much is left.

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• Timer: there is a timer on the top right-hand corner of the test.  Candidates have the option to hide this if it is distracting or making them feel anxious.

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All candidates are now allowed to use a pencil and paper for notes and rough working throughout the whole test – this working paper is not marked.  In previous years, this was only allowed for certain subjects.  Candidates can also adjust the font size and select a colour overlay to help with visibility of the questions.

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It is a good idea for your child to practise the questions in the exact format and style of the ISEB. 

 

This walkthrough test will help your child to become familiar with the ISEB Common Pre-Test and covers the four tests.