What is the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
A Quick Guide for Parents
What is the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
It used to be the case that school admissions were entirely down to Common Entrance exams in Year 8. Now, since top schools are much more academically selective, the most important hurdle comes much earlier in Year 6. This test is made by the same people (‘Independent Schools Examinations Board’ or ISEB) who produce Common Entrance exams but it is quite different.
The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online, adaptive entrance exam used by both independent boarding (with 13+ entry) and day/girls’ boarding (11+ entry) schools. It's designed to give schools a standardised, early indication of academic potential before interviews or further assessments.
What Subjects Are Covered?
The test includes four sections, taken online, usually at school (if your child is at a UK prep school) or at a registered centre (if not), under supervision. It contains multiple choice questions in the following subjects:
English (comprehension, grammar, punctuation and vocabulary)
Maths (on all topics up to the end of Y5)
Verbal Reasoning (Word patterns and problems)
Non-Verbal Reasoning (Shape patterns and problems)
Each section is multiple choice and adaptive — meaning the questions get harder or easier depending on the child’s answers.
How Long Does It Take?
The full test takes 2 hours and 15 minutes
It can be done in one go or spread across two days
English (40 min); Maths (40 min); VR (25 min) and NVR (30 min)
How does the score work?
A standardised age score is generated based on the exact age of the child, number of questions answered and number of questions that are correct
The national state school average is 100 and the national independent school average is 110.
Top schools look for a minimum of 120 (top 10% of applicants) across all four subjects.
The highest possible score is 142 (top 1% of applicants)
Which schools use it?
Top schools like Eton, Harrow, Westminster, Wellington, St Paul’s and many others use the Pre-Test as part of their admissions process. Since being released several years ago, more and more schools have been adopting the test each year.
It’s the first hurdle before interviews or school-specific exams and Common Entrance.
How Can My Child Prepare?
ISEB does not publish practice tests but students can:
Look at similar English, Maths, VR and NVR questions from older, written papers
Get professional help from a tutor who specialises in this test and can conduct an initial assessment on areas of weakness and design a bespoke programme
Enrol in a group course (contact me to register for the courses I will be running from September for children going into Year 5)
Practise through adaptive, online platforms like Bond Online Premium Plus, Atom Learning or Pre-Test Plus.
Final Tip
Doing well in the test is party due to subject knowledge but also largely due to exam technique. It is important for your child to practise answering adaptive multiple choice questions (with 5 very similar options) under time pressure.
The best preparation is always to work with a tutor who is experienced in preparing students for all four sections of the ISEB Common Pre-Test.
Subscribe for weekly tips, practice questions, and honest advice on navigating the school admissions process with confidence.