Exam Guides & Parent Resources

Navigating UK independent school admissions can feel overwhelming, especially with multiple pre‑tests, entrance exams, and school‑specific requirements. This page provides clear, parent‑friendly guides to the most important assessments — including the ISEB Pre‑Test, UKiset, CAT4, CEM Select, 11+ Grammar School exams, and Common Entrance — along with trusted links to official exam boards and school admissions pages. Whether you’re new to the UK system or looking for reliable information in one place, these resources will help you understand each test, plan effectively, and support your child with confidence.

Tests, Exams and Interviews

Mr Andrew provides expert support across all major UK admissions assessments, ensuring that every test, exam and interview listed below is fully covered. His approach is personal, calm and highly tailored — focused on understanding each child’s needs and offering clear, practical guidance throughout the admissions process.

Pretests

Selective Pretests for Entrance to Independent Schools Across the UK

UKiset, ISEB Pre‑Test, CAT4, CEM Select and other pre‑tests form the first major stage of admissions for many UK independent schools. These assessments measure reasoning, problem‑solving and academic potential through adaptive, computer‑based tasks. With calm, structured guidance, Mr Andrew Steward helps students build confidence, accuracy and familiarity with each test format, ensuring they approach this crucial stage with clarity and control

Official ISEB Pre-Test logo representing digital adaptive admissions tests for independent schools.

ISEB Pre-Test

The ISEB Pre‑Test is an online adaptive exam used by many leading UK independent schools for Year 6 and Year 7 entry. It assesses core reasoning and academic skills.

Format & Timings

  • English — 25 minutes

  • Mathematics — 50 minutes

  • Verbal Reasoning — 36 minutes

  • Non‑Verbal Reasoning — 32 minutes Total testing time: 143 minutes

Examples of schools using the ISEB Pre‑Test 

CAT4 assessment logo highlighting cognitive abilities testing and student learning profiles.

CAT4

CAT4 is a cognitive abilities test used by many independent and international schools to understand a child’s learning profile.

Format & Timings Eight short papers:

  • Verbal Classification — 8 minutes

  • Verbal Analogies — 8 minutes

  • Quantitative Reasoning — 10 minutes

  • Number Series — 8 minutes

  • Figure Classification — 10 minutes

  • Figure Matrices — 10 minutes

  • Spatial Reasoning — 8 minutes

  • Pattern Completion — 8 minutes Total testing time: ~70 minutes

Example of schools using CAT4:

  • Many British international schools overseas
  • Increasing number of UK independent schools (internal baseline testing)
  • Millfield and Bryanston use CAT4 for baseline testing
UKiset exam profile graphic for international applicants targeting British independent schools.

UKiset

UKiset is used by UK independent schools to assess international applicants. It measures academic potential and English language ability.

Format & Timings

  • Reasoning Tests (Verbal, Non‑Verbal, Quantitative) — approx. 45 minutes

  • English Reading & Listening — approx. 30 minutes

  • Essay — 30 minutes Total testing time: ~2 hours

Examples of schools using UKiset:

Cambridge CEM Select logo representing online computer-based reasoning assessments.

CEM Select

CEM Select (also known as Cambridge Select Insight) is an online, computer-based assessment used by highly selective independent schools.

Format & Timings

  • English Comprehension — approx. 13 minutes
  • Anagrams & Missing Words (Cloze) — approx. 16 minutes
  • Related Words — approx. 8 minutes
  • General Maths (Numerical) — approx. 13 minutes
  • Pictures (Non-Verbal & Spatial) — approx. 10 minutes
    Total testing time: 60 minutes

Examples of schools using CEM Select: 

Bespoke in-house English and Maths exam preparation for elite UK day and boarding schools.

In‑House Tests

Some schools set their own English, Maths, or reasoning in-house papers, often taken after the pre‑test stage.

Examples of schools using in‑house pre-test papers: 

 

Common Entrance (11+ and 13+)

Selective UK Entrance Exams for Senior Independent Schools

Common Entrance (11+ and 13+) opens the door to some of the UK’s most prestigious independent schools. Families choose this pathway for its academic rigour, tradition and high expectations. With calm, structured guidance, Mr Andrew Steward helps students build the confidence, clarity and exam technique needed to succeed in this competitive admissions process.

Aspirational entrance to a prestigious senior school using 11 plus and 13 plus Common Entrance exams.
Pupils wearing traditional uniforms representing academic excellence and heritage at top UK independent schools.
Historic British boarding school campus and grounds reflecting premium independent educational pathways.
Smartly dressed senior school students walking across campus between academic lessons.

Common Entrance Exams

Subject-Based Assessments for 11+ and 13+ Entry

Common Entrance is used by some independent schools for entry at 11+ or 13+. Papers are set by ISEB and taken either at the child’s current school or at the senior school itself. These exams assess core academic subjects and help schools understand a pupil’s readiness for senior school.

Subjects & Typical Timings

  • English — 1 hour

  • Mathematics — 1 hour

  • Science — 1 hour

  • Humanities (13+) — 1 hour each Schools choose which papers they require, and some may only request selected subjects.

International students may be asked to sit English and/or Mathematics depending on their background and the school’s requirements.

Examples of Schools Using Common Entrance (13+)

These schools typically use CE for 13+ entry, often alongside interviews and school‑specific assessments.

Schools with Their Own In‑House Entrance Papers

Many selective independent schools prefer to use their own bespoke entrance exams, either instead of Common Entrance or in addition to it. These papers often assess English, Maths, reasoning, or subject‑specific skills.

Examples include:

These schools often use pre‑tests (ISEB, UKiset, CEM Select) as a first stage, followed by their own papers for shortlisted candidates.

11+ Grammar School Tests

Selective 11 Plus Exams for Entrance to UK State Grammar Schools 

The 11+ is used by state grammar schools to assess pupils for Year 7 entry. Most regions use either GL Assessment or CEM exam formats, though some areas use a combination of both. These tests evaluate core academic skills and reasoning ability under timed conditions.

GL Assessment 11 plus logo for state grammar school entry requirements.

GL Assessment (11+)

GL exams are paper‑based and divided into separate subject tests. They are known for traditional question formats and clear subject boundaries.

Subjects & Typical Timings

  • English — 45–60 minutes

  • Mathematics — 45–60 minutes

  • Verbal Reasoning — 45–60 minutes

  • Non‑Verbal Reasoning — 45–60 minutes

Each paper is taken separately, often across one or two testing sessions.

Regions using GL Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Dorset, Warwickshire (part), Northern Ireland.

Map indicator for regional 11 plus exam variations across UK grammar school consortiums.

Regional Variations

Some grammar school areas use their own bespoke formats, combining GL‑style and CEM‑style elements or using locally designed papers.

Examples include:

CEM 11 plus exam format graphic for mixed reasoning and verbal capability testing.

CEM (11+)

CEM exams are usually mixed‑format papers combining multiple skills. They are known for fast‑paced sections and varied question types.

Subjects Assessed

  • Comprehension

  • Verbal Reasoning

  • Non‑Verbal Reasoning

  • Numerical Reasoning

Format & Timings CEM papers often run as two mixed papers, each around 45–60 minutes, broken into short timed sections. Pupils must work quickly and switch between question types.

Regions using CEM Birmingham, Warwickshire (part), Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Walsall, Wolverhampton.

What the 11+ Tests Measure

Across all formats, the 11+ assesses:

Reading comprehension

Vocabulary and verbal reasoning

Mathematical fluency and problem‑solving

Spatial awareness and pattern recognition

Speed, accuracy, and resilience under timed pressure

These skills help grammar schools identify pupils who will thrive in a fast‑paced academic environment.

Examples of Grammar Schools Using the 11+

The Judd School (Kent)

Tonbridge Grammar School (Kent)

Dr Challoner’s Grammar School (Buckinghamshire)

King Edward VI Grammar Schools (Birmingham)

Pate’s Grammar School (Gloucestershire)

St Olave’s Grammar School (Orpington – highly selective, bespoke format)

Colchester Royal Grammar School (Essex)

Tiffin Schools (Surrey)

Complete 11+ and 13+ Admissions Support for UK Independent and Grammar Schools

Mr Andrew’s guidance spans every major 11+ and 13+ admissions pathway, including GL, CEM, UKiset, ISEB Pre‑Test, CAT4, and the full spectrum of bespoke school‑designed assessments used by leading independent and grammar schools.

He supports families across all the schools and regions listed above — and many, many more — providing expert, comprehensive advice tailored to each child’s educational journey. With deep knowledge of the UK’s highly varied admissions landscape, Mr Andrew ensures families receive clear, confident, and premium‑quality guidance from first enquiry to final offer.