ISEB PRE-TESTS | INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
The ISEB Pre-Tests are a set of four online, adaptive admissions tests used by leading independent schools as part of their admissions process.
Parents and guardians can register their child to sit the ISEB Pre-Tests via the Guardian Portal.
The timeline for the rest of the 24/25 session and the beginning of the 25/26 session is as follows:
– EARLY MAY – Friday 9th May 2025 – Guardian Registration Closes
– MID-MAY – Friday 16th May 2025 – Last Tests
– LATE MAY – Friday 23rd May 2025 – Testing Session Closes
– EARLY JUNE – Tuesday 10th June 2025 – Guardian Registration for the 25/26 Session Opens
– EARLY SEPTEMBER – Tuesday 2nd September 2025 – 25/26 Testing Session Opens
Please check with your chosen senior schools directly to confirm any additional test deadlines; your child’s current school and/or invigilation centre can also provide support.
ONLINE 11+ ADMISSIONS TESTS USED BY LEADING INDEPENDENT SENIOR SCHOOLS
The ISEB Pre-Tests, sometimes referred to as ‘the 11+’, the ‘Pre-Tests’, or ‘the ISEB’ are a set of four multiple-choice, adaptive, online tests used by leading independent schools as part of the admissions process for Year 7, or delayed entry in Year 9.
The tests cover English, mathematics, verbal reasoning (VR) and non-verbal reasoning (NVR) and will take 2 hours 15 minutes to complete.
Your child will most likely take the ISEB Pre-Tests once during their Year 6 for Year 7 entry (11+), however, some senior schools, such as Eton and Harrow, use the Pre-Tests as a precursor to Year 9 entry (13+).
The testing session runs from the autumn term to the spring term of each academic year. Your child will take the test once during this period. Results are age-standardised so that appropriate comparisons can be made between younger and older applicants and between dates of testing.
You can explore our Pre-Tests Admissions Toolkit to access dedicated information and support for families working towards the ISEB Pre-Tests.
THE PRE-TESTS ARE:
1
ONLINE
Children take the ISEB Pre-Tests through a specially developed online test player that utilises cutting edge AI technology.
2
CUSTOMISABLE
The test player includes a range of customisable features to ensure a positive test experience for your child, including colour overlays and font options.
3
SHARED
The ISEB Pre-Tests are a shared assessment, which means that a child's results can be accessed by all of the senior schools who require them. This means that children only have to take the tests once.
4
ADAPTIVE
The ISEB Pre-Tests are adaptive, so children are presented with questions based on their previous answers. This means children don't spend time answering questions that are too hard or too easy, and the test can be shorter while still giving an accurate score.
5
AGE STANDARDISED
The results are age-standardised against a sample of pupils applying for independent school admission across the academic year, ensuring that there is no disadvantage for younger children, or those who take the tests earlier in the testing period.
6
FLEXIBLE
The ISEB Pre-Tests offer a flexible test experience and can be taken at any point between the autumn and spring term in one academic year as determined by the senior school.
Registration and preparation
Registration for the Pre-Tests is completed by the parent/guardian through the Guardian Admin Portal. Registration is currently open for parents of children due to sit the Pre-Tests in the 2024-25 academic year.
GUIDES AND INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
Registration information and support resources for families
The 2024-25 Pre-Tests session is now open for parent and guardian registration via the Guardian Portal.
Parents and guardians should register via the Guardian Portal and start to create their child’s Applicant Profile. Prior to completing their child’s profile, parents can come back and edit information at any time.
Testing for the 2024-25 academic year can commence from 3 September; however, your child’s invigilation centre will advise you of your specific testing date/s.
Our friendly and knowledgable Qualifications & Delivery team are on hand to support your whole family navigate their admissions journey, please submit a customer service enquiry to speak with the team.
ISEB recommends that parents and guardians explore our free Pre-Tests Admissions Toolkit, which contains dedicated information for families preparing for the ISEB Pre-Tests, including important information about registration, preparation and familiarisation alongside a range of useful support materials.
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