What are Common Entrance exams?

Common Entrance exams are taken by children in Year 6 (the 11+ Common Entrance exams, mainly for entry to girls’ schools) or Year 8 (the 13+, for entrance to boys’ and mixed schools). ‘Many schools use Common Entrance exclusively, in a full range of subjects, while others require Common Entrance exams in the core subjects – English, maths and science, plus a modern language – alongside their own papers in other subjects, such as humanities,’ explains Ann Entwisle, ISEB chief administrator.

Not all schools use Common Entrance exams. ‘Most of the major public schools do, but a number of independent schools, particularly London girls’ day schools, set their own exams,’ says Ann.

Common Entrance exams for senior school entry at 11+ are taken in the autumn or spring term of Year 6. ‘The papers are closely linked to the national curriculum,’ Ann says. ‘The questions are usually set at the old level 4 to 5 standard (the level typically achieved by an average to above average child in Key Stage 2 SATs), although there are extension questions to stretch the most able pupils.’

The tests are taken over two days. On day one, pupils sit English comprehension (45 minutes) and maths (one hour); on day two, they take English creative writing (45 minutes) and science (one hour).

For children who are looking to transfer to senior school at 13+, Common Entrance exams are taken in the autumn, spring or – most usually – summer term of Year 8. As well as the English, maths and science papers, children are usually required to take Common Entrance exams in a range of other subjects selected from:

• Latin
• Classical Greek
• French
• German
• Mandarin Chinese
• Spanish
• Geography
• History
• Religious studies

In some subjects, there are also two or three levels of paper. ‘It’s important to check which Common Entrance subjects your chosen school requires, and at which level,’ Ann advises. For example, some require a good mark on the level three maths paper – the highest level – whereas others are satisfied with level one or two.

Common Entrance written exams at 13+ are sat across a four-day period. The papers vary from 40 minutes to one and a quarter hours, although some tests – such as speaking and listening tests in languages, and mental arithmetic – are shorter.

At this level, children can also sit scholarship papers.

In some prep schools, children sit the ISEB’s Common Pre-Tests in Year 6 or 7. These are used to assess their attainment and potential for a senior school education. The online tests are commissioned from GL Assessment, with assessments in English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

It’s up to the prospective senior school to decide how to use a child's Common Pre-Tests results. Senior school places may be offered on the strength of these tests, but usually, children still have to sit Common Entrance exams in Year 8. ‘Highly selective and oversubscribed schools may tell parents that their child has not been selected to go onto the next stage of the admissions process, and so they won’t take Common Entrance for that school,’ Ann explains. ‘Others run a reserve list, or use the results as just one part of the total admissions process.’ You should check with each individual school to find out how they use the Pre-Tests.

If your child currently attends a prep school that is a regular user of Common Entrance exams, they are likely to be registered for the exams by their school. They will also sit the papers at their own school.

Children who attend a state school or an independent school that doesn’t use Common Entrance exams will need to be registered online by their parent or guardian. ‘They will have to arrange for their child to take the test at a sitting centre; again, this could be their own school, if the school staff are prepared to administer and invigilate the exams,’ says Ann.

For both the 11+ and 13+ Common Entrance exams, there is a registration fee of £110.

Completed Common Entrance exams are sent to the child’s prospective senior school for marking. ‘Although ISEB provides a marking scheme, schools are free to mark the papers in the way they see fit, depending on their entrance criteria and required pass mark,’ Ann explains. ‘If the first-choice school decides not to admit the pupil, their papers can be sent on to their second choice school, and they can assess them for entry.’

Children who do well in the Common Entrance exams are those who have acquired age-appropriate skills and subject knowledge, but also the ability to apply them. ‘Schools are not looking for regurgitated knowledge, but want to see how students can apply what they have learned, evaluate, interpret and analyse,’ explains Ann.

If your child is being entered for Common Entrance by their prep school, they should be working towards the exams at school. If not, you may need to consider how best to help them prepare. The full syllabus for every subject is available online as well as practice papers and revision materials.

Many families opt for tutoring to help their child prepare for the exams, but this should not be necessary, says Ann. ‘We can’t stop parents tutoring, but over-tutoring is unhelpful and tends to put children off,’ she explains. ‘We’re keen that children should be prepared in interesting and inspiring ways, with plenty of time for extra-curricular activities.’

NB: TheSchoolRun receives a small commission from sales made through Exam Paper Plus.