Exam boards
ISEB Common Pre-Test
By ExamKind Editorial TeamFacts checked 19 October 2026Last reviewed 19 October 2026
In short
The ISEB Common Pre-Tests are online entrance tests used by many independent senior schools. They are four adaptive, multiple-choice tests in English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, taking just over two hours in total. Most children sit them once in Year 6, and the results are shared with every school that asks for them. Schools add their own assessments, such as interviews.
Schools that ask for the ISEB Common Pre-Test
Independent schools we cover whose admissions information names the ISEB Common Pre-Test, with the entry points it is used for. Each school adds its own assessments, so check the school's page.
- Ardingly College (13+ entry)
- Benenden School (11+, 13+ entry)
- Berkhamsted School (11+ entry)
- Bradfield College (13+ entry)
- Brighton College (11+, 13+ entry)
- Caterham School (11+, 13+ entry)
- Charterhouse (13+ entry)
- City of London Freemen’s School (11+, 13+ entry)
- Cranleigh Prep (11+ entry)
- Cranleigh School (13+ entry)
- Downe House School (11+, 13+ entry)
- Epsom College (11+, 13+ entry)
- Eton College (13+ entry)
- Harrodian (11+ entry)
- Harrow School (13+ entry)
- Hurstpierpoint College (13+ entry)
- Ibstock Place School (11+ entry)
- James Allen’s Girls’ School (11+ entry)
- Kew House School (11+ entry)
- Lady Eleanor Holles School (11+ entry)
- Lancing College (13+ entry)
- Maida Vale School (11+ entry)
- Radley College (13+ entry)
- Reed's School (11+, 13+ entry)
- Royal Grammar School Guildford (11+ entry)
- Sevenoaks School (11+, 13+ entry)
- St Albans High School for Girls (11+ entry)
- St Catherine's School (11+ entry)
- St Edward's School (13+ entry)
- St John's School Leatherhead (11+, 13+ entry)
- St Paul's Girls' School (11+ entry)
- St Paul's Prep School (11+ entry)
- St Paul's School (13+ entry)
- Streatham & Clapham High School (11+ entry)
- Sutton Valence School (11+, 13+ entry)
- The King’s School Canterbury (13+ entry)
- Tonbridge School (13+ entry)
- Tormead School (11+ entry)
- Walthamstow Hall (11+, 13+ entry)
- Wellington College (11+, 13+ entry)
- Westminster School (13+ entry)
- Westminster Under School (11+ entry)
- Woldingham School (11+, 13+ entry)
- Wycombe Abbey (11+, 13+ entry)
The format
What the source says
- four online adaptive tests, 2 hours 15 minutes in totalSource: ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board), checked
- most children take the Pre-Tests once, in Year 6, for Year 7 entry; some senior schools use them ahead of Year 9 entrySource: ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board), checked
- results go to every senior school that asks for them, so children take the tests only onceSource: ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board), checked
- results are age-standardised, so younger and older applicants, and different testing dates, can be compared fairlySource: ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board), checked
Does ISEB Common Pre-Test publish past papers?
Not checked yetWe have not yet checked an official statement on past papers. Each school's page links to any practice material it publishes.
What is the ISEB Pre-Test?
The ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board) describes the Pre-Tests as 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. They are used by independent senior schools as one part of admissions, usually alongside the school's own tests, a reference from your child's current school and often an interview.
What does "adaptive" mean?
In an adaptive test, the next question depends on how your child answered the last one. Children who answer correctly get harder questions; children who find it tricky get easier ones. ISEB explains that this keeps children away from questions far beyond or below their level, which lets the test be shorter without losing accuracy. It also means two children will see different questions, and a child will usually find some questions hard. That is normal and expected.
When do children take it?
most children take the Pre-Tests once, in Year 6, for Year 7 entry; some senior schools use them ahead of Year 9 entryISEB Pre-Tests: When takenChecked 9 Oct 2026 against ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board).The source says: Your child will most likely take the ISEB Pre-Tests once during their Year 6 for Year 7 entry (11+), however, some senior schools, such as Eton and Harrow, use the Pre-Tests as a precursor to Year 9 entry (13+).
View the official source. For the 2026 to 2027 session:
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens (on ISEB's Guardian Portal) | Tuesday 9 June 2026ISEB Pre-Tests: Registration opensChecked 9 Oct 2026 against ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board).The source says: – Tuesday 9th June 2026: Guardian Portal opens for registration for the 2026-27 session.View the official source |
| Testing starts | 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 |
| Testing ends | 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 |
Each senior school sets its own deadline within that window, so check with every school you apply to.
How are results used?
- One sitting: 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. - Fair across ages: results are age-standardised, so younger and older applicants, and different testing dates, can be compared fairlyISEB Pre-Tests: age-standardised resultsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board).The source says:
Results are age-standardised so that appropriate comparisons can be made between younger and older applicants and between dates of testing.
View the official source. - Each school decides how much weight to give the Pre-Test and what other assessments to use.
If you are unsure how a school will use the results, ask the school.
What is changing at ISEB?
in May 2026 ISEB announced a new Creative Writing Assessment for 11+ admissions, launching the following year, and new Pre-Test preparation books with Oxford University PressISEB Pre-Tests: Creative writingChecked 9 Oct 2026 against ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board).The source says: ISEB 14 May 2026 ... We are pleased to announce that we will be launching a Creative Writing Assessment for 11+ Admissions next year, designed for schools with a creative writing element incorporated into their admissions processes.
View the official source. If your target schools ask for creative writing, watch for details from ISEB and from the schools.
How can you prepare calmly?
- Read the preparation guidance ISEB publishes for families so the online format is familiar.
- Practise reading on screen, since the comprehension is online.
- Build broad skills rather than drilling: reading widely, vocabulary, times tables and mental maths, and simple reasoning puzzles.
- Explain adaptive testing to your child before the day, so hard questions don't feel like a bad sign.
- Keep it in proportion. The Pre-Test is one part of a school's decision.
Related pages
- Independent school entrance exams: the complete guide
- How to prepare for the ISEB Pre-Test
- Which schools use the ISEB Pre-Test?
- 11+ exam boards explained
Sources
Facts on this page come from the ISEB website (Pre-Tests information for families; ISEB update of 14 May 2026), archived on 9 October 2026.
ExamKind is independent and is not connected with the ISEB. How we make our content.
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page