ISEB Common Pre Test: The Complete Guide for Parents

What is the ISEB Common Pre Test?

The ISEB Common Pre-Test is a standardised online assessment used by many of the UK's leading independent senior schools as part of their Year 7 and Year 8 entry process. It is designed to measure a student's academic potential and attainment in core areas, providing schools with a consistent and reliable benchmark for candidates.

Administered by GL Assessment on behalf of the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB), the test is taken once during the autumn or spring term of Year 6. The results are shared with all the senior schools a candidate has applied to, streamlining what can otherwise be a complex assessment process across multiple institutions.

Test Structure & Content

The adaptive, online test consists of four modules, which are typically taken in one sitting (about 2.5 hours including breaks). The format is multiple-choice.

Module	Time Allowed	Key Content & Skills Assessed
English	40 minutes	Reading Comprehension (fiction & non-fiction), Sentence Completion, Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar
Mathematics	40 minutes	Arithmetic, Problem-Solving (Number, Measurement, Geometry, Statistics). Algebra is NOT directly tested.
Verbal Reasoning	36 minutes	Logic with words: analogies, synonyms/antonyms, word codes, following written rules.
Non-Verbal Reasoning	32 minutes	Logic with shapes and patterns: identifying relationships, series, and codes in diagrams.

Key Details for Parents

• Registration: You do not register directly with ISEB. Registration is handled entirely by the senior school(s) your child is applying to. You will receive login details and scheduling instructions from them.

• Results: Raw scores are not published. Parents receive a simple "pass" or "fail" notification from each school, based on that school's individual benchmark. Schools receive a detailed diagnostic report showing a child's performance relative to the national average, which they use to inform interviews and decisions.

• Participating Schools: Over 70 leading UK schools use the test, including Wycombe Abbey, Eton College, St. Paul's School, King's College School (Wimbledon), and City of London School for Girls. Always check each school's specific admissions page for their exact requirements.

THE ISEB COMMON PRE TESTS FORMAT

The ISEB Common Pre-Tests are standardised online assessments used by many UK independent (private) schools as part of their 11+ and 13+ admissions process. The tests are designed to assess a child's ability and potential, rather than what they have been taught in school.

The assessment is taken online and is usually sat at the child's current school or an authorised test centre. The full test takes around 2 to 2.5 hours, with short breaks between sections. Questions are multiple choice and are age-standardised, meaning scores are adjusted based on the child's age at the time of testing.

The ISEB Common Pre-Tests consist of four main sections. English assesses reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and verbal reasoning skills. Mathematics focuses on number skills, problem-solving, and mathematical reasoning rather than long calculations. Verbal Reasoning tests logical thinking using words, patterns, and relationships between language-based concepts. Non-Verbal Reasoning measures problem-solving ability using shapes, diagrams, and visual patterns, with no reliance on language.

There is no formal pass or fail score. Instead, results are sent securely to the senior schools the child has applied to, and each school uses the scores alongside interviews, school reports, and references to make admissions decisions. Because the tests measure reasoning ability, preparation focuses on familiarity with question styles, time management, and confidence rather than memorising curriculum content.

Which schools use the ISEB Pre-Test?

Many independent (private) senior schools in the UK use the ISEB Common Pre-Tests as part of their admissions process, especially for Year 7 (11+) entry and in some cases for Year 9. These tests allow pupils to sit one set of standardised online assessments and share the results with multiple schools they apply to, rather than taking different tests for each school.

Here are some of the schools that use the ISEB Pre-Tests (this list is representative but may change year-to-year, so it's always best to check directly with the school):

Examples of schools that use the ISEB Common Pre-Tests:

• Abbot's Hill School

• Ampleforth College

• Bedford School

• Benenden School

• Berkhamsted Senior School

• Birkdale School

• Bloxham School

• Bradfield College

• Brentwood School

• Brighton College

• Caterham School

• Charterhouse School

• Cranleigh School

• Downe House School

• Eaton Square Upper School

• Eton College

• Fulham Senior School

• Harrodian Senior School

• Harrow School

• Hoe Bridge School

• Holmwood House Senior School

• Hurstpierpoint College
  (and many more independent schools across the UK)

How to Prepare Your Child for the ISEB Common Pre-Test

Effective preparation focuses on familiarity with the test's style, format, and timing, rather than cramming new content.

1. Start Early and Build Core Skills (Year 5)

Focus on strengthening the foundational skills in English and Maths that align with the National Curriculum for Year 5/6. Encourage wide reading and practice mental arithmetic regularly.

2. Understand the Adaptive Format

Explain to your child that the test is adaptive: if they answer a question correctly, the next one will be slightly harder. This means they should expect to find some questions challenging - it's a sign they are doing well.

3. Use Targeted Practice Materials

• Official Resources: The ISEB-endorsed practice papers from Galore Park are the closest representation of the actual test. At a minimum, work through these under timed conditions.

• Familiarisation Tests: GL Assessment provides an online familiarisation test to help children get used to the on-screen format and navigation.

• Skill-Specific Practice: Use Bond or CGP books for 11+ Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning to build confidence in these specific question types.

4. Master Exam Technique

• Pace & Timing: Practice completing sections within the strict time limits. A good strategy is to answer the questions they find easy first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them if time allows.

• Guessing: Since there is no negative marking, teach your child to make an educated guess rather than leave a question blank.

• Check Work: If time permits, use the last minute to double-check answers, especially in English and Maths.

5. Final Preparation (Approaching Test Day)

• Take full-length practice tests to build stamina.

• Ensure they are familiar with the login process and computer controls.

• Focus on a healthy routine with good sleep and nutrition in the week before the test.

What's The Pass Mark For The ISEB Pre-Test?

For the ISEB Common Pre-Tests, there is no official universal "pass mark."The test doesn't operate like a traditional exam with a set percentage that all children must reach to pass. Instead, results are given as a Standardised Age Score (SAS) based on how well the child performs relative to other pupils of the same age. This score is sent directly to the senior schools the child has applied to - it isn't released to parents by ISEB itself.

Here's what this means in practice:

• No set pass mark: The ISEB does not publish a single pass/fail threshold for the Pre-Tests. Schools set their own criteria for evaluating results based on their academic standards and the pool of applicants.

• Standardised Age Scores (SAS): Scores are adjusted for age and compared to a national sample, with an average around 100. There's also a scale showing how performance varies (e.g., scores over ~115-120 are generally considered above average).

• School-specific expectations: Some schools may informally aim for higher SAS benchmarks for more competitive entry (e.g., targeting scores above 120), but this varies widely by school and year group.

Should My Child Take The ISEB Pre-Test?

Whether your child should take the ISEB Common Pre-Test depends mainly on where you plan to apply and your child's age and readiness.

If your child is applying to UK independent (private) senior schools for 11+ (Year 7) or sometimes 13+ (Year 9) entry, then taking the ISEB Pre-Test is often necessary or strongly recommended. Many independent schools use it as their first-stage assessment, and sitting it once allows the results to be shared with multiple schools, reducing the need to sit separate entrance exams.

The test is particularly suitable for children who are academically able and comfortable with problem-solving and reasoning, as it focuses more on ability and potential than on memorising the school curriculum. Children who enjoy puzzles, logical thinking, reading comprehension, and maths reasoning often cope well with the format.

However, the ISEB Pre-Test may not be needed if your child is applying only to state schools, schools that run their own entrance exams, or schools that do not use ISEB results. It may also be less suitable for children who feel anxious about timed online tests unless they are given time to build confidence and familiarity with the format.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Algebra on the ISEB Common Pre-Test?

No, algebra is not directly tested. The mathematics section is based on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum, focusing on arithmetic, number properties, geometry, measurement, and data handling. The problem-solving questions do, however, require strong logical thinking.

2. How is the test scored?

Scores are age-standardised to account for the child's age in years and months. The final result is presented to schools as a standardised score for each module and an overall average score.

3. What is a "good" score?

There is no single "good" score, as each senior school sets its own qualifying threshold based on its entry criteria and the cohort of applicants that year. A score that secures a place at one school may not at another.

4. Can my child retake the test?

No, a child can only sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test once in an academic year. The results from that single sitting are shared with all registered schools.

5. How important is the Pre-Test in the admissions process?

It is a significant hurdle and a key piece of objective data for schools. However, it is rarely the sole criterion. Performance is typically considered alongside a school report, interview, and sometimes a creative writing sample or further subject-specific tests.

6. Should I hire a tutor?

This is a personal decision. Many children benefit from structured guidance, especially for reasoning sections not taught in school. However, with the right resources and parental support, effective preparation is very achievable without one.