How is UKiSET used for independent school admissions?

• The UKiSET consists of three sections; verbal reasoning subtest; numerical reasoning subtest and abstract reasoning sub-test.

  • UKiSET Verbal Reasoning or UKiSET English proficiency (Language questions and problem-solving with words);
  • Non-Verbal Reasoning UKiSET (Solving problems using shapes, pictures and logic); and
  • UKiSET Mathematical Reasoning (Looking at number, value, quantity and sequence concepts).
• The UKiSET is designed for international students applying to UK independent schools.

What Does UKiSET Assess?

THE UKiSET assessments are divided into three main age categories: Junior UKiSET, Middle UKiSET , and Senior UKiSET. Each of these UKiSET age categories adopt a specific test format and set of skills being tested:

• The Junior UKiSET test is for ages around 9-11.

• Middle UKiSET test for around 11-13 years.

• The Senior UKiSET test is for applicant pupils aged between 15-17 years of age.

1. Adaptive Reasoning

• Verbal reasoning (vocabulary, logic)
• Non-verbal reasoning (patterns, sequences)
• Mathematical reasoning

2. English Reading & Listening

Measures comprehension of written and spoken academic English.

3. Essay Writing

Timed written task assessing structure, clarity and grammar.

Full breakdown available in the
UKiSET Welcome Guide.

How Schools Use UKiSET

Schools typically use UKiSET in one of three ways:

1. Early screening before interview
2. Supporting evidence alongside school reports
3. Substitute for in-person testing for overseas candidates

UKiSET Reasoning Preparation

• Daily vocabulary development
• Pattern recognition drills
• Timed quantitative reasoning sets

UKiSET English Preparation

• Daily reading practice
• Listening to academic English
• Essay structure training

Internal Resources

• 7+ papers
• 9+ papers
• 11+ practice
• 13+ papers

UKISET Section 3 – English Essay

The third section of the UKISET is the English Essay. The UKISET’s English Essay is a handwritten assessment. This involves:

– Writing on a topic given to the UKISET test-taker on the UKISET testing day.

• • The third English Essay section of the U?KISET lasts for approximately 30 mins.
  • The number of words required varies by year. So, for year 7 it is 150 words; for year 8 (180 words); Year 9 (200 words); 10 (250 words); Year 11 (300 words); and for Year 12 (350 words).

UKISET Sample Question

1. How many triangles are shown here?

How Do I Prepare for the UKiset test?

• Exercising mathematical logics for the quantitative reasoning tests to increase the accuracy and confidence.

• Practicing short essays on a wide range of topics.

• Encourage yourself to express and justify opinions in English
• Reading books and Listening audio books to help expand vocabulary and improve comprehension, and critical thinking skills.

More UKISET practice tests

What counts as a good UKiset score depends greatly on the school a candidate is applying to attend, and also varies according to the three sections of the test. The following points can act as a rough guide.  

UKiset Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Scores: 

For these sections of the UKiset, candidates scores are standardised against tens of thousands of British students of the same age in the state and independent school sectors. 

The Standard Age Score (SAS) is based on the number of questions answered correctly, the average score for students in UK independent schools is 111. 

Different schools will expect different scores. The more academically selective a school is the higher their SAS expectation is likely to be. The top schools are likely to require in excess of 125+ average standardised test score. 

It is always worth noting that two average Standardised Age Scores are given to schools, one overall average and one that excludes the Verbal Reasoning Score. This is to ensure that a candidate’s level of English does not unduly affect the overall score in this section. 

UKiset Reading and Listening score

For this component of the UKiset, students are given an English CEFR level. Most schools will be looking for a minimum of B2 score.

Essay Writing score

This is marked by schools themselves and they will have varying expectations of what counts as a ‘good’ mark or score.  

Further FREE UKiSET test practice

• UKiSET test practice
• Practice UKiSET tests

UKiSET test practice

 UKiSET mock test

 and free UkiSET test sample

What is the UKiSET pass mark?

 What counts as a good UKiset score depends greatly on the school a candidate is applying to attend, and also varies according to the three sections of the test. The following points can act as a rough guide.  

How to use our UKiSET practice tests to pass

• Conducting UKiSET private school entry exam revision using your own specimen UKiSET set.

• So, we suggest that UKiSET parents and UKiSET tutors start by downloading and printing out specimen papers.

• Then sift through the individual UKiSET past papers. Put the whole seven + exam bundle in to approximate order of increasing difficulty.

• This way allows whomever is supervising the child’s UKiSET revision sessions to select a challenging paper each time.

• The paper needs to be set at your child’s current UKiSET ability level. So neither too easy. Nor too challenging.

Our top four tips for passing the UKiSET exam

• REMEMBER you need to track your UKiSET progress each week for maximum benefit and to keep yourself motivated.
  Adopting our recommended UKiSET techniques will quickly tell you which UKiSET test sections are most difficult for you to answer correctly.

• To demonstrate your true UKiSET potential you need to practice until you can answer all types of UKiSET question correctly and quickly.

• Try to teach yourself the most effective UKiSET strategies for mastering your most challenging UKiSET items.

• Learn what works best for you to pass the most difficult UKiSET question types.