ISEB Information

ISEB Pre Tests 26-27

Registration for tests taking place in the 2026-27 academic year will open in August 2026.

What are they?

• Are taken by pupils in Years 6 or 7 seeking entry into Y7 or Y9.

• Online, adaptive, multiplechoice tests. Takes account of SEND. Developed with Century Tech

• One test results can be shared with many schools so reduces the burden of assessment

• Guardians need to register the child through the Guardian Portal and select the invigilation centre and add any SEND or EAL data.

Evidence of access arrangements such as an appropriate educational psychologists report needs to be uploaded.

• Standardised against independent sector.

• Senior schools and invigilation centres have their own portal.

Key Features • – Online and adaptive admissions tests in a multiple-choice format.

• Can be taken at the pupils’ current junior/prep school, the senior school they are applying for or an approved independent invigilation centre anywhere in the world.

• – Include four tests: English, mathematics, verbal reasoning (VR) and non-verbal reasoning (NVR).

• Results are available to senior schools immediately through their admin portal and can be shared with multiple schools which means the pupil only needs to sit the tests once.

• ISEB provides full technical and administrative support to all schools using the Pre-Tests.

• –Are flexible and can be taken on the same day or across multiple days.

• May be taken at any time during the ISEB Pre-Tests session, which runs from the autumn term to the spring term in each academic year.

• Are unique to ISEB and comprehensively standardised for the independent sector.

https://www.iseb.co.uk/prep-for-success-with-the-iseb-pre-tests-11-prep-pack/#:~:text=This%20exclusive%20pack%20provides%20authentic,stage%20of%20the%20admissions%20process.

11+ ISEB Exam A four part test None verbal reasoning

Maths

English

verbal reasoning

English Test Format The English test assesses two distinct areas of knowledge: Reading Comprehension and Grammar Content Reading Comprehension Content Grammar.

• Vocabulary – knowledge of word meaning, • Pupils will be presented with several short word families, prefixes and suffixes. passages each with a series of multiple-choice • Punctuation – knowledge of how punctuation questions. The questions and the passages are should be used. adaptive, giving a more personalised route • Grammar – knowledge of what is through the Reading Comprehension. Selected grammatically correct, rather than complex passages are age-appropriate and could be terminology (pupils will be expected to be able fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. to identify nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs • Retrieval of information and prepositions); clauses; formal and • Making inferences. informal language; verb agreement; sentence • Explaining the meaning of words in context. structure. In most questions, pupils will be • Explaining how meaning is enhanced through asked ‘What is grammatically correct?’ rather choice of words and phrases (for example, than having to recall the names of specific choice of adjectives or literary devices: tenses. personification, alliteration, similes, • Spelling – knowledge of spelling patterns and metaphors). Summarising main ideas. common exception words.

Maths Test Format Questions will assess a pupil’s knowledge of mathematics topics from the National Curriculum Programme of Study up until the end of Year 5: • Number and place value • Calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) • Fractions, decimals and percentages • Measurement • Geometry • Statistics.

• Some questions will assess mathematical fluency in the form of arithmetic questions, others will require solving mathematical problems, possibly including more than one of the topics

The Verbal Reasoning test The Verbal Reasoning test measures a pupil’s comprehension, reasoning and logic. The ISEB Common Pre-Tests focus on using letter, word and language-based questions.

Pupils will be assessed on their knowledge of vocabulary and definitions. The test will identify the following: • Problem solving techniques • Trial and error skills • Working logically • Recognising suitable solutions.

Non-Verbal Reasoning test The Non-Verbal Reasoning test assesses logic, critical thinking and problem-solving skills using figures and diagrams. There will be instructions before each question to explain how to answer the question.

• Non-Verbal Reasoning – Analyse 2D figures and diagrams to look for patterns (similarities and differences, completing the diagram, code matching).

• Spatial Reasoning – Manipulate 3D figures and diagrams to visualise them in a different way.

ISEB Walkthrough https://iseb.eva.tech/walkthrough /

ISEB endorses Bond Online Premium Plus as they have workedwith CENTURY and BOND (Oxford University Press) to developthe questions and mock tests, and as it most closely resembles thestructure and format of the Pre-Tests.

What does the school do?individual data and • Meeting with Head/DHA to review analyse against expectations for individual schools • Weekly preparation sessions in the activities session.

• Support in school for sitting examinations and invigilation • However, all communication has to be between the parent and the senior school