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Independent school entrance exams: the complete guide

By ExamKind Editorial TeamFacts checked 19 October 2026Last reviewed 19 October 2026

In short

Selective independent schools choose pupils through their own admissions process, not through your council. At 11+ that usually means registering with each school, sitting an entrance test (often the online ISEB Pre-Tests, a shared consortium test or the school's own papers), providing a reference from your child's current school and, for many schools, an interview. Dates, tests and fees differ by school, so a simple plan per school helps.

Facts used on this pagesources in each row
FactDetailSource
What a private (independent) school isfee-charging schools that do not have to follow the national curriculumSource: GOV.UK, checked
Applying to private schoolsapply to private (independent) schools directlySource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
School place applications close (common application form, CAF)31 OctoberSource: GOV.UK, checked
ISEB Pre-Tests: formatfour online adaptive tests, 2 hours 15 minutes in totalSource: ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board), checked
ISEB Pre-Tests: Sharedresults go to every senior school that asks for them, so children take the tests only onceSource: ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board), checked
London 11+ Consortium: Processone 100-minute test, a reference and interviewsSource: London 11+ Consortium, checked
London 11+ Consortium: Registration closesFriday 6 November 2026Source: London 11+ Consortium, checked
London 11+ Consortium: OffersFriday 12 February 2027Source: London 11+ Consortium, checked
Cambridge Insight: Select insighta computer-based entrance assessment from Cambridge InsightSource: Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CEM), checked
Quest: Bespoke per schooleach school’s Quest test is uniqueSource: Quest Assessments, checked
ISEB Pre-Tests: Testing startsTuesday 1 September 2026Source: ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board), checked
ISEB Pre-Tests: Testing endslate May 2027Source: ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board), checked

How is applying to an independent school different?

Independent (private) schools are fee-charging schools that do not have to follow the national curriculumWhat a private (independent) school isChecked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: Private schools (also known as ‘independent schools’) charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. Pupils do not have to follow the national curriculum.View the official source. The government's advice is simple: apply to private (independent) schools directlyApplying to private schoolsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: If you’re looking for a place at a private school (also called ‘independent schools’), contact the school directly.View the official source. In practice:

  • you register with each school separately, usually with a registration fee;
  • each school sets its own deadlines, tests and offer dates, often earlier than the state school timetable;
  • the state application through your council is separate. If you are also considering state schools, you still need to apply to your council by 31 OctoberSchool place applications close (common application form, CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: You must apply for a secondary school place by 31 October.View the official source.

What kinds of entrance test do independent schools use?

The ISEB Pre-Tests. Many senior schools use these: four online adaptive tests, 2 hours 15 minutes in totalISEB Pre-Tests: formatChecked 9 Oct 2026 against ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board).The source says: The tests cover English, mathematics, verbal reasoning (VR) and non-verbal reasoning (NVR) and will take 2 hours 15 minutes to complete.View the official source. results go to every senior school that asks for them, so children take the tests only onceISEB Pre-Tests: SharedChecked 9 Oct 2026 against ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board).The source says: This means that children only have to take the tests once.View the official source. See our ISEB Pre-Test guide.

The London 11+ Consortium test. A group of independent schools in and around London uses one shared process: one 100-minute test, a reference and interviewsLondon 11+ Consortium: ProcessChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London 11+ Consortium.The source says: In 2022 the Consortium introduced a new bespoke assessment process, for entry in September 2023 onwards, ... This test is 100 minutes in total and taken in the candidate’s current school,View the official source. For September 2027 entry, registration closes on Friday 6 November 2026London 11+ Consortium: Registration closesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London 11+ Consortium.The source says: Closing date for registrations: Friday 6th November 2026View the official source and offers are made on Friday 12 February 2027London 11+ Consortium: OffersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London 11+ Consortium.The source says: Offer date: Friday 12th February 2027View the official source. See the London 11+ Consortium explained.

Other online tests. Some schools buy a ready-made online test, such as Cambridge Select Insight: a computer-based entrance assessment from Cambridge InsightCambridge Insight: Select insightChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CEM).The source says: Cambridge Select Insight computer assessments are designed for selective independent schools, partially selective state schools, Grammar Schools and schools with fair banding admissions.View the official source. Quest Assessments also writes tests for independent schools, and says each school’s Quest test is uniqueQuest: Bespoke per schoolChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Your child’s assessment is unique to the school they’re applying to,View the official source.

The school's own papers. Many schools set their own English and maths papers, sometimes with creative writing or reasoning. Some publish sample papers on their websites; these are a better guide to that school than generic practice books.

What else do schools look at?

  • A reference from your child's current school, often on a standard form.
  • An interview or group activity, which aims to see how your child thinks and talks. Schools generally want to meet a real child, not a rehearsed script; see independent school interviews.
  • Sometimes, scholarship or bursary assessments, which have their own rules and deadlines; see bursaries.

When does it all happen?

Every school sets its own timetable, but the general shape for 11+ entry is:

  • Year 5 and early Year 6: research schools, visit, and register before each school's deadline.
  • Autumn and winter of Year 6: entrance tests and interviews. The ISEB testing window for 2026 to 2027 runs from Tuesday 1 September 2026ISEB Pre-Tests: Testing startsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board).The source says: – Tuesday 1st September 2026: Live testing for the 2026-27 session commences.View the official source to late May 2027ISEB Pre-Tests: Testing endsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board).The source says: – Late May 2027: Testing for the 2026-27 session ends.View the official source.
  • Late winter of Year 6: offers, and then a deadline to accept.

Write each school's dates into one calendar. Our independent school dates page gathers them as schools publish.

Are there other entry points?

Yes. Some independent schools admit at 4+, 7+, 8+, 13+ or 16+, and some senior schools assess at 11 for a place starting at 13. Each has its own process. This guide focuses on 11+.

How can you keep it manageable?

  • Apply to a realistic number of schools. Each one adds registration fees, tests, visits and interviews.
  • Match preparation to each test: online and adaptive for the ISEB Pre-Tests; the school's own sample papers for school-set tests.
  • Keep your child's week normal around test and interview days.
  • Talk about offers as a family decision, so your child does not feel that every outcome rests on them.

Sources

Facts on this page come from archived official sources checked on 9 October 2026: GOV.UK (types of school; school admissions), the ISEB (Pre-Tests information for families), the London 11+ Consortium, Cambridge Insight (Cambridge Select Insight) and Quest Assessments (independent schools guidance).

ExamKind is independent and is not connected with any school, consortium or test provider. How we make our content.

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