Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing for UK independent school admissions can feel overwhelming, so this page brings together clear, straightforward answers about independent schools entrance exams and the questions parents ask most often.
If you need guidance specific to your child, you’re welcome to contact me through the form.
Are you a Qualified Teacher?
Yes. I have over 30 years of teaching experience in the UK and abroad, including independent Prep Schools where I prepared students for Common Entrance and 11+ Grammar School tests. I hold an honours degree in Linguistics and International Studies (MFL and Law), a PGCE, and an Advanced Diploma in Education with Educational Management modules.
Across my career, I have worked as a Classroom Teacher, Middle Leader and Senior Manager, and I have many years of specialist experience tutoring students for UK admissions tests both in person and online. All lessons now take place online.
Do you have limited availability?
Yes — due to demand, spaces are limited. Early booking is recommended.
What results do students typically achieve?
Students consistently show improvement in:
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confidence
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reasoning skills
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exam technique
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timing
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overall performance
Many secure places at their first‑choice schools.
How early should we start preparing?
Ideally the earlier the better with at least 6–12 months before the exam, although shorter timelines can be managed with focused, intensive support.
How are lessons delivered?
All lessons are delivered online via Teams (or another platform if necessary), allowing families worldwide to access specialist UK admissions support.
How long is each session?
Sessions are usually 60 minutes with brief, optional feedback to parents at the end of the tutorial.
Do you offer weekly lessons?
Yes — most students attend one to four tutorials per week, depending on exam timelines and goals.
Do you track progress?
Absolutely. Each session includes a review of progress, strengths, and areas needing improvement often shared with parents during feedback after the tutorial.
Do you teach exam techniques?
Yes — timing, strategy, question‑type recognition, elimination methods, and adaptive test management.
What are the tuition fees?
There is no separate registration fee for any tutoring programme.
11+ and 13+ Independent School Pre‑Tests, Common Entrance & Interview Preparation
After the evaluation session, parents may purchase blocks of 10 one‑to‑one tutorials at £95 per 60‑minute lesson, with optional oral feedback included.
The first lesson is an evaluation session used to assess the student’s aptitude and suitability for the target tests and exams. The fee is £115, which includes:
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setup and onboarding
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planning the most effective preparation approach
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a full diagnostic evaluation
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extended feedback to parents
11+ Grammar School Tests
After the evaluation session, parents may purchase blocks of 10 one‑to‑one tutorials at £75 per 60‑minute lesson, with optional written feedback included.
The first lesson is an evaluation session used to assess the student’s aptitude and suitability for the target tests and exams. The fee is £95, which includes:
-
setup and onboarding
-
planning the most effective preparation approach
-
a full diagnostic evaluation
-
extended feedback to parents
How do we book lessons?
You can contact me directly through the website: Contact Mr Andrew
How do you communicate with parents?
Yes — parents receive regular updates on progress and recommendations, often after online tutorials. Communications usually take place via WhatsApp or email. Communication between lessons ensures clarity and support.
Do you provide homework?
Yes. After each lesson, students receive targeted practice tasks to reinforce learning and build exam‑specific skills.
Which resources do you use?
Mr Andrew shares his own resources and recommends subscription platforms as appropriate.
Do you help with UK school selection?
I can offer guidance on school expectations, exam formats, and preparation strategies. I also work closely with educational consultants, who cover school choices and admissions arrangements.
Do you work with students outside the UK?
Yes — I support families worldwide, including Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and North America.
Is online tutoring effective for overseas students?
Yes — online sessions allow consistent, structured preparation regardless of location.
Do you offer group lessons?
Yes — most sessions are one‑to‑one for maximum effectiveness, although I sometimes teach very small groups, for example twins. The fee for such group tutorials is £120 per hour after the initial evaluation.
Do you guarantee results?
No tutor can guarantee results, but I provide high‑quality, exam‑specific preparation that significantly improves performance.
Do you help with school‑specific preparation?
Yes. I provide targeted preparation for the specific tests, formats, and expectations used by leading UK independent schools, including:
Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Wellington, Charterhouse, Winchester, St Paul’s, Wycombe Abbey, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, City of London School …and many more.
This includes support for the exact pre‑tests required (ISEB Pre‑Test, UKiset, CAT4, CEM Select), as well as interview preparation and school‑specific guidance.
Do you help with multiple school applications?
Yes — many students apply to several schools with different exam formats.
What is the ISEB Pre‑Test?
The ISEB Pre‑Test is an online adaptive entrance exam used by many top UK independent schools.
It assesses:
- English (40 mins)
- Maths (40 mins)
- Verbal Reasoning (25 mins)
- Non‑Verbal Reasoning (30 mins)
It lasts around 2 hours 15 minutes in total and is required by schools such as Eton, Harrow, Wellington, St Paul's.
What is CAT4?
CAT4 is a cognitive abilities test used to assess reasoning potential rather than taught curriculum.
It assesses eight short timed sections:
- Figure Classification — 10 mins
- Figure Matrices — 10 mins
- Verbal Classification — 8 mins
- Verbal Analogies — 8 mins
- Number Analogies — 10 mins
- Number Series — 8 mins
- Figure Analysis — 9 mins
- Figure Recognition — 9 mins
It lasts 72 minutes of timed testing (plus administration time) and is used by many UK independent schools, selective schools, and British international schools worldwide.
What is CEM Select?
CEM Select (also known as Cambridge Select Insight) is an online, computer-based assessment used by top UK independent schools to measure a student's academic potential.
The exam lasts exactly 60 minutes in total and is broken down into 6 highly time-pressured, independent sections:
Verbal Ability (approx. 37 minutes total)
- English Comprehension: Reading a passage and answering multiple-choice questions (23 questions / ~13 minutes).
- Anagrams: Unscrambling jumbled words to complete sentences (21 questions / ~8 minutes).
- Missing Words (Cloze): Filling in blank spaces in short texts using dropdown selections (~45 gaps / ~8 minutes).
- Related Words: Identifying synonyms, antonyms, or word connections (21 questions / ~8 minutes).
Numerical Ability (approx. 13 minutes total)
- General Maths: Solving mental arithmetic, word problems, and data questions (30 questions / ~13 minutes).
Non-Verbal Ability (approx. 10 minutes total)
- Pictures: Spotting patterns, shape rotations, and spatial logic puzzles (~20-25 questions / ~10 minutes).
What is UKiset?
UKiset is an international admissions test used by UK independent schools for overseas applicants.
It assesses:
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Reasoning (VR, NVR, QR) — 40–45 mins
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English Reading & Listening — 60–90 mins
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Essay Writing — 40 mins
It lasts around 2–2.5 hours in total and is accepted by schools such as Eton, Harrow, Wellington, Wycombe Abbey, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Millfield, Charterhouse, and many others.
Do you help with English writing?
Yes — creative writing, comprehension, and exam‑style tasks.
Do you help with maths?
Yes — arithmetic, problem‑solving, and exam‑style reasoning.
Do you help with school interviews?
Yes — I offer interview preparation focusing on:
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confidence
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communication
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typical questions
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school‑specific expectations
Do you teach reasoning from scratch?
Yes — students learn core reasoning skills step‑by‑step.
Do you help with timing?
Yes — timing strategy is a major part of preparation.
Do you provide reading or vocabulary guidance?
Yes — tailored reading lists and vocabulary strategies can be provided.
Do you teach exam‑specific question types?
Absolutely — each exam has unique formats and strategies.
Do you work with high‑achieving students?
Absolutely. Many students come for advanced reasoning training and top‑tier school preparation.
How do you help anxious or overwhelmed students?
My teaching style is calm, structured, and confidence‑building. Students learn to approach questions with clarity rather than stress.
Do you help students who are behind or struggling?
Yes — I specialise in helping students who need structured support to catch up and build confidence.
What equipment does my child need?
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A laptop or desktop
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Reliable internet
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Headphones (recommended)
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A quiet workspace
- Notebooks and writing equipment
Do you use additional software?
Mostly Teams for lessons, plus exam‑specific practice platforms as appropriate.
Do you offer refunds?
Sessions cancelled with sufficient notice can be rescheduled.