Login

Innovative assessment since 1904

scroll
Who we are

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.

OUR ASSESSMENTS
/01

Explore: ISEB Pre-Tests for Families

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

Time to Write Creative Writing Competition

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.

Read the list of awarded winners

Celebrating 120 Years

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.

Explore our history

Find out more

A one-day conference for schools in London

Catch up on the highlights

Creative Writing Competition for Schools

Time to Write
Leading the way
+520,000

Examination papers taken by candidates in the last 5 years.

ASSESSMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

Common Entrance

Learn more

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+.

Common Pre-Tests

Learn more

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.

ISEB Project Qualification

Learn more

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.

INFORMATION, SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE

Visit our dedicated support hubs for information, guidance and advice on our examinations and assessments, tailored to schools, teachers and families.

Schools

Visit Schools hub

Families

Visit Families hub
Assessments & Qualifications

TRUSTED ASSESSMENTS FOR ADMISSIONS AND BEYOND

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.

Our assessments and qualifications

Latest News

Common Pre-Tests, Events 26 March 2025

Preparing for the ISEB Pre-Tests: Webinar for parents and guardians

Are you a parent or guardian of a child taking the ISEB Pre-Tests in the 2025-26 academic year? Join our free webinar to gain essential insights into the testing process

Learn more
Common Entrance, Schools 07 March 2025

How Common Entrance sharpens pupils’ skills during a time of revolution | an article by Dan McSherry

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
Families, Schools 06 March 2025

ISEB and IAPS announce Time to Write 2025 winners

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
Families, Schools 04 March 2025

Watch this space: Time to Write 2025 winners announced soon

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
Common Entrance, Families 20 February 2025

ISEB launches ‘The Official Guide to CE 13+ for Families’

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

Join our Mailing List