Many independent senior schools have incorporated 鈥楶re-Tests鈥� as an initial entry assessment for Year 7 and 9 entry. Pre-Tests commonly form the first stage of the admissions process, and schools use them to identify the students who are most suitable to proceed to the next stage. Pre-Tests can be administered in written form or on a computer, with the being one of the most common assessments.
The ISEB Common Pre-Test is used by a range of independent schools in the UK including Eton College, Harrow School, Westminster School and St Paul鈥檚 School to assess children before the 13+ entrance exams and at a handful of schools as a pre-test to 11+ entry.
Key Features of the ISEB Common Pre-Test
- Adaptive format: Questions adjust in difficulty based on the student鈥檚 performance, the questions will get harder if the student continually answers correctly, and easier if they do not.
- No going back: Once a question is answered, it cannot be revisited. All questions are compulsory.
- On-screen tools: A timer and progress bar help students pace themselves.
- Allowed materials: Pen/pencil and paper for workings are permitted.
- Practice: While there are no official practice tests available, there is a and during the actual test example questions will be shown.
Format of the ISEB Common Pre-Test
The test is taken on a computer and consists of multiple-choice questions. It is broken down into four parts:
- 贰苍驳濒颈蝉丑&苍产蝉辫;鈥� (reading comprehension, sentence completion, spelling and punctuation)
- Mathematics 鈥� (in line with Year 5 of the UK National Curriculum)
- Non-Verbal Reasoning 鈥� (shape analogies, classes like, horizontal codes)
- Verbal Reasoning 鈥� (letter, word and language-based questions)
How to Prepare for the ISEB Common Pre-Test
Keystone tutor Oli shares his three pillars of successful preparation: Skills, Variety, and Practice.
1. Skills: Start Early
Developing Skills is a long term process. Even many years before a student takes the Pre-Test, a good holistic approach to education can develop the key skills required.
Reading Skills
In both the English and Verbal Reasoning Pre-test there is a huge emphasis on vocabulary, the manipulation of words and comprehension. The best preparation? Reading. A lot of it.
If your child is a reluctant reader:
- Be persistent and flexible鈥攖ry fiction, non-fiction, or books about their interests.
- Use the 鈥渇irst 50 pages rule鈥�: if they鈥檙e not hooked by then, move on to another book.
- Create a visible 鈥淏ooks I鈥檝e Read鈥� list at home to track progress.
- Consider incentives for completing books鈥攚hatever it takes to build the habit.
- Join them in reading: read aloud to them, have them read to you, or read side-by-side.
Maths Skills
Success in the Maths section depends on mental arithmetic. Key tips:
- Ensure full mastery of times tables.
- Practice mental maths strategies regularly at home.
- Involve your child in maths in daily life鈥攕hopping totals, time calculations, and so on.
2. Variety: Prepare with a Range of Online Resources
Once the above foundational skills are in place, structured Pre-Test practice should begin. This can start anywhere from a few months to over a year before the test, depending on the child鈥檚 needs.
Using a range of online platforms helps your child adapt to different question styles and builds resilience for unfamiliar content.
ISEB Common Pre-Test Online Resources
- Atom Learning 鈥� Offers adaptive tests and in-depth performance analysis.
- 鈥� Cost-effective, good for early preparation.
- 鈥� Developed in collaboration with ISEB; useful for format familiarisation.
- 鈥� Claims to use materials written by ISEB question writers.
- 鈥� A new platform taking an evidence-based approach and offering a personalised curriculum based on children's interests (asked during the onboarding process). Their Deep Reader, in partnership with the publisher Penguin Random House, gives users access to a wide range of diverse fiction and non-fiction to keep them motivated and engaged with their studies.
- 鈥� Budget-friendly option; great for early practice, though less challenging at advanced levels.
Tip: Since the ISEB Pre-Test is taken online, most preparation should also be online to build confidence with the format.
3. Practice: Little and Often
Regular, targeted practice is essential, but don鈥檛 overdo it. Too much can lead to burnout and frustration.
Helpful practice tips:
- Spread practice across all four areas.
- Focus more on weak areas, using platform data to guide you.
- Encourage reflection after each practice session.
Parents can do an awful lot to help their child with this process. If, however, you find that you're finding it challenging explaining particular concepts to your chil