T he Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) provides the most well-known and respected examinations and assessments for pupils transitioning from prep and junior schools to senior schools in the UK, designing and setting the Common Entrance assessments, and the online, adaptive ISEB Pre-Tests. Used by the UK's leading schools, our assessments are designed to help pupils demonstrate their potential across a wide range of subjects at 11+ and 13+. We also offer the innovative ISEB Project Qualification (iPQ), a programme for schools that focuses on pupil-led, project-based learning.
Information for parents and guardians with a child preparing for the ISEB Pre-Tests, the online admissions tests used by leading senior schools at 11+.
Go to: Pre-Tests for Families
Information for schools and test venues acting as invigilation centres for the ISEB Pre-Tests, the online admissions test used by leading senior schools at 11+.
Go to: Pre-Tests for Invigilation Centres
Information for senior schools working with, or looking to work with, the ISEB Pre-Tests, the leading online 11+ admissions tests.
Go to: Pre-Tests for Senior Schools
As schools around the country celebrate World Book Day, we are delighted to be able to announce the winners of the ISEB and IAPS Time to Write 2025 competition.
Over 3,000 entries were shortlisted and judged following the closing date on 2 February 2025. Our panel of literary experts read and discussed the top ten entries in each of the four categories in our final judging event, held at St Swithun’s School in Winchester on 28 February 2025.
The winning writers in each category will see themselves in print, as each will have their story turned into an illustrated book. Prizes will also be awarded to the winning writers’ schools, and further awards will be available for the runners-up in each category.
Click here or go to the ISEB News section to see the full list of awarded stories.
Last academic year, 2023-24, ISEB marked 120 years at the heart of the independent education sector with our engaging and thought-provoking conference for schools and an exciting, tech-led creative writing competition, Time to Write, click below to find out more and explore our history.
Examination papers taken by candidates in the last 5 years.
Prep, junior and senior schools who have used our examinations.
Countries around the world in which pupils have sat our examinations.
Our Common Entrance (CE) examinations are taken by pupils at either 11+ or 13+, as part of their application to some of the leading senior schools in the UK. We also provide Common Academic Scholarship (CASE) examinations at 13+.
Our online and adaptive Common Pre-Tests (CPT) are taken by pupils in Year 6 or 7, and provide an age-standardised measure of ability.
Our project qualification, the iPQ, is available for Years 5 to 6 and 7 to 8, and offers a skills-based learning journey for children. Pupils develop a wide range of 21st century skills through a self-defined project that can play to their strengths, spark their imagination and tackle real-world issues.
Visit our dedicated support hubs for information, guidance and advice on our examinations and assessments, tailored to schools, teachers and families.
W e provide a suite of robust assessments, supported by world-leading academic research and designed to support pupils with their transition to senior school. Whether they are at an independent, international or state school and whatever their background, culture or experience, our easy-to-use Common Entrance (CE) and Common Pre-Tests (CPT) examinations provide an opportunity for all pupils to show their potential, and our ISEB Project Qualification (iPQ) encourages pupils to explore and communicate their personal interests through self-defined and pupil-led projects. Through our website, in-person and online events and industry connections, we now provide more information to support schools, teachers, pupils and families with preparation and development than ever before.
How Common Entrance sharpens pupils’ skills during a time of revolution ‘To the young, this is a world for action’. So says Dickens in the novel David Copperfield – a
As schools around the country celebrate World Book Day, we are delighted to announce the winners of the ISEB and IAPS Time to Write 2025 creative writing competition. We received
On Friday, 28 February 2025 we gathered at St Swithun’s School for the Time to Write 2025 judging day. Our panel of judges read through the ten shortlisted entries in
ISEB has launched The Official Guide to CE 13+ for Families, a dedicated platform to support families preparing for Common Entrance (CE) 13+ exams this summer. This comprehensive guide is
What better way to start the week? We at ISEB are celebrating Random Act of Kindness Day with a one-time offer for parents and families to access a free Parent
