7+
A number of top Independent schools offer entry at 7+. There is a significant competition for places and this can be a daunting experience for young children. Pupils sit timed English and Maths papers and sometimes Reasoning papers, more commonly with 8+entry. Pupils will also be observed for their social interactions with other applicants and with staff to build up a rounded picture of their academic abilities and their suitability for the school.
8+
Entrance exams at 8+ include Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning. Timed maths papers are based on the Year 3 syllabus. English papers expect pupils to write at length and use a wide vocabulary and correct punctuation. There may be separate spelling and punctuation assessments. Pupils are expected to know the English word lists for Key Stage 3 and 4.
11+
Entrance exams can be for one of the 164 State (non fee paying) Grammar Schools remaining in England, all of which are fully selective. Bilateral Schools, located in areas where the Grammar School system still exists, operate two streams within the school – a Grammar Stream and a Comprehensive Stream. To be admitted to the Grammar Stream applicants must achieve the qualifying standard in an 11+ exam. Partially selective state schools also use the 11+ exam and only offer places to the highest scoring candidates.
Many independent schools offer an 11+ entry. Historically, this was more common in girls schools (with boys entering at 13+) but co-educational and boys schools now also offer entry at this age. Schools set their own assessment examinations with some using ISEB papers. Girls schools offering 11+ entry can be found here.
ISEB pre-tests
Some Senior Schools offer Pre-tests to potential pupils before 13+ entry tests which helps them build up a shortlist of suitable applicants for their Year 9 Entry (13+). The ISEB Pre-tests are taken in Year 6 or 7 and are set by GL Assessment. These tests are taken online and so can be taken at the pupil’s current school. The test is multiple choice, takes about 150 minutes to complete and examines English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Even if applying to multiple schools, candidates only take the tests once in an academic year, and the results are then shared across all the schools they are thinking of applying to. There are three outcomes from the test: an unconditional offer for strong candidate, a conditional offer on 13+ Common Entrance results, or in some highly selective schools, not being allowed to apply for the 13+ Entrance. These tests are all computer based with the results going directly to the application school. The cut-off date usually 30th November, but some schools flexible with tests beginning in September. Schools using the pre-tests can be found here.
13+
Many of the top UK senior schools accept pupils based on results from the Common Entrance exam, or their own entrance test. For Common Entrance, there are three examination sessions each year, in November, January and May/June. The core subjects - English, Mathematics and Science - are compulsory. In addition, candidates sit papers in the other subjects they have been studying. Core subjects, most modern languages, Latin and Classical Greek are offered at more than one level, although most schools expect papers to be sat at the higher levels. The schools that ask for CE and those that set their own examinations can be found here. Key dates for registering a candidate can be found here. The examination will be sat in the candidates own school and then sent to the school where the application has been made to be marked.
13+ CASE. Papers are at level 4 which is similar to GCSE. We have a dedicated CASE Consultant who is happy to answer questions. Book an appointment here.
