You may see “Common Pre-Test” on a school website. ISEB calls this set of assessments the Common Pre-Tests. Some independent senior schools use them as one part of deciding whom to offer a place.
What do the tests cover?
The tests are taken online and use multiple-choice questions in four areas: English, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. They are adaptive: the system adjusts question difficulty as the pupil works. Schools receive age-standardised results. See the official ISEB overview.
If a question feels hard, it does not mean you have failed. Read it carefully and choose the best answer you can. Do not try to guess your score from how easy or difficult the questions feel.
Who uses the results?
Each senior school decides how the results fit into its admissions process. It may also consider interviews, a school report or other assessments. There is no single pass score that guarantees admission to every school. The Common Pre-Tests are different from the later Common Entrance examinations.
Registration: an adult's checklist
- Ask each school whether it requires ISEB Common Pre-Tests for your child's entry route.
- Check the relevant testing session, school deadlines and approved venue.
- Follow the current ISEB parent registration instructions and give the required applicant details to each school.
- Request any SEND arrangements early and confirm approval before the test.
Do not arrange a repeat sitting just because another school requests the tests. Check the current session rules and ask how existing results are shared. The ISEB parent portal explains the registration process.
Practise the skills and the screen
Read a little each day, talk about new words and practise core maths. Use the official familiarisation information to learn the controls and instructions. Check the rules on reviewing answers and breaks rather than assuming the screen behaves like a paper test.
Short practice sessions can help you settle into a routine. Generic 11+ practice can build skills, but it should not be described as an exact copy of the ISEB test. You do not need to rush to prove you are doing well.
On the day
Listen to the supervisor and ask for help if the equipment is not working. Adults should confirm the venue's instructions in advance. Finish with something relaxing: one assessment is only one part of your school journey.