What do I need to tell parents about the tests?

The ISEB Common Pre-Tests are age-standardised tests that assess pupils' attainment in Year 6 or 7 before entry to senior schools. Each senior school has their own admissions policy, of which these tests often just fulfill one part of the process. Your child may still be required to sit further assessments and, most likely, an interview.

The tests are taken online, usually in your child's current school. There are four tests in a multiple-choice format: English, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

Children applying to multiple schools which use the Common Pre-Tests will need only take the tests once. The results will be shared with all schools for which the candidate is entered. Children can only sit the tests once in any academic year (i.e. October – June).

The parent or guardian must register their child with ISEB for the Common Pre-Tests. Registration opens each year in August for the tests to be taken from October.

Parent and guardian registration is:

• Free: there will be no charge to parents or guardians to register children for the new Common Pre-Tests.
• Simple: registration will be completed through an easy-to-use online admissions platform.
• Quick: you will only need to register your child for the test once, no matter how many different school applications you make. 
• Editable: you may return to the Guardian Portal to add information or amend your child's registration.

For further information about the tests, visit the Information Page for Parents and Guardians.