Getting to grips with the ISEB

Clea B

University of Oxford and University of Sydney

What is the ISEB?

The ISEB (acronym for the Independent Schools Examination Board) produces high quality Common Entrance examinations which are taken as students to gain entry into the UK’s top independent senior schools. These examinations are highly regarded as the gold standard for assessment at 11+ and 13+. The examinations are standardized to ensure that the older students in the cohort do not gain an unfair advantage over younger ones.

What is the difference between the 11+ and 13+?

Candidates will sit the 11+ examinations when they are in Year 6 (the final year of primary school). The exams may be taken in the autumn or spring term of Year 6 before the student starts senior school in the following September.Candidates will sit the 13+ examinations in Year 8 (the last year of middle school / second year of senior school). The individual senior school will decide at which stage of the year the examinations are taken.

Why take the ISEB?

Many prestigious independent schools in the UK use the ISEB examinations as a condition of entry into the schools. Some schools will make unconditional offers based on the results; however other schools may require pupils to also take the Common Entrance at 13+ to confirm their place. Make sure you check the requirements of the individual school that your child is applying to. It is important to recognize that not all independent schools take the ISEB Common Pre-test and that some design their own pre-test or do not have an entrance examination.

What is the pass mark for the ISEB?

The ISEB has no official pass mark because every school has different requirements. You will not see your child’s results as they will be sent directly to the school.A general guide: 100 is an average mark, 142 is a high mark and under 85 is a low mark.

The 11+ examinations

The 11+ examinations are also known as the ISEB Common Pre-Test. The ISEB Common Pre-Test is taken online and can be taken in any location with an internet connection. The test is usually conducted in the child’s current preparatory school. The Common Pre-Tests are designed to give the senior independent schools information about a prospective student's ability and potential before they sit further assessment in year 8. Candidates are registered by the independent senior school (or schools) that they have applied to. Students only sit the test once. All questions are multiple choice and the student will be asked to choose one answer from a selection of five possible answers for each question.

What does the 11+ involve?

The 11+ examinations comprise of four exams:

• Verbal reasoning

  Verbal reasoning is 33 minutes. The verbal reasoning tests thinking and problem-solving with language.

• Non-Verbal reasoning

  Non-verbal reasoning is 36 minutes. The non-verbal reasoning tests thinking and problem-solving with pictures, shapes and diagrams.

• Maths

  The Maths exam is 50 minutes. The maths exam is in line with national curriculum for mathematics.

• English

  The English exam is 25 minutes. The English exam tests reading, comprehension, spelling and punctuation.The four tests can be taken all at once or separately. Once a section is started, however, it must be completed in one go. The tests can be completed in any order.

The 13+ examinations

The 13+ examinations cover a wide range of subjects for pupils in Years 7 and 8. The examination is flexible to allow candidates from schools that do not cover traditional ranges of Common Entrance subjects to offer a reduced number of papers.

What does the 13+ involve?

The 13+ consists of three compulsory papers:

• English

• Mathematics

• ScienceIn

addition, it is hoped that the candidates will attempt papers in further subjects including:

• French

• Geography

• History

• German

• Spanish

• Classical Greek

• Latin

• TPR (Theology, Philosophy and Religion)

How to prepare for the ISEB examinations?

It is important to prepare for the ISEB examinations at home as the verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests are given limited curriculum time at school. Make sure you familiarize your child with the types of questions that they could encounter in the examinations.

• Build knowledge of curriculum

• Take practice papers

• Practice working under time pressure

Key terms

ISEB: acronym for the Independent Schools Examination Board. This is composed of three associations which represent independent schools in the UK: The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, The Girls' Schools Association and The Independent Association of Prep Schools. Together these organisations are responsible for devising the syllabuses and setting the papers.

11+ examinations (also known as the ISEB Common Pre-Test): examinations taken by students in Year 6 (when a child is between 10 and 12)

13+ examinations: Examinations taken by students in year 8