Independent School Entrance Exams and 11+ Admissions Guide
Independent schools control their own admissions and may combine entrance papers with interviews, school reports, group activities, references and evidence of wider interests.
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How this admissions route works
This flagship guide helps families manage the complete independent-school 11+ process without assuming that every school uses Common Entrance or the same timetable.
Admissions information changes between entry years. Use this page to understand the system and prepare questions, then verify dates, test content, residence requirements, supplementary forms and oversubscription criteria on official websites.
Four essentials to understand
Schools set their own process
Subjects, test dates, registration fees and interview stages vary by school.
Written tests are only one element
A school may consider current-school reports, interviews, behaviour, interests and potential.
Scholarships and bursaries differ
Academic awards recognise performance, while means-tested bursaries depend on financial assessment and school policy.
Registration can be early
Some London and boarding schools require registration well before the assessment year.
Step-by-step application process
| Stage | What parents should do |
|---|---|
| Create a school list | Assess ethos, academic approach, pastoral care, travel, co-education, boarding options, fees and financial support. |
| Build an admissions calendar | Record registrations, open days, test dates, interviews, scholarship forms and acceptance deadlines. |
| Check each assessment | Confirm English, maths, reasoning, writing, online testing, interview and current-school report requirements. |
| Prepare for communication | Children should discuss reading, interests, school life and unfamiliar problems naturally rather than reciting scripts. |
| Review offers carefully | Consider conditions, deposits, bursary terms, travel and the child’s own response to each school. |
Tests and assessment components
English
Comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and often creative or persuasive writing.
Mathematics
National Curriculum content plus unfamiliar multi-step applications.
Reasoning or online tests
Verbal, numerical, non-verbal or adaptive assessments may be used.
Interview
Conversation, thinking aloud, interests, motivation and response to challenge.
Use official familiarisation resources first. Third-party materials should match the current test’s subjects, timing, response method and difficulty. Scores from unrelated publishers are not interchangeable and should not be treated as reliable predictions of admission.
School and admissions routes covered
- Day independent schools
- Boarding schools
- Co-educational and single-sex schools
- Schools using ISEB, bespoke papers or online assessments
Keep a separate school-specific SET page only when it provides substantial unique value: a detailed current admissions-policy explanation, travel and catchment analysis, distinctive test requirements, or an established ranking query. Thin school summaries should link into this flagship instead.
Preparation strategy
English
Develop fluent reading, vocabulary in context, inference, grammar and clear written expression. Ask children to justify answers using textual evidence.
Mathematics
Secure primary mathematics, mental fluency and multi-step problem solving before applying time pressure.
Reasoning
Where required, teach verbal and visual relationships systematically rather than relying on repeated exposure alone.
Test technique
Introduce timing after accuracy. Practise instructions, answer recording, skipping, returning and maintaining concentration.
Common application mistakes
- Assuming all schools use identical 11+ papers.
- Preparing polished interview scripts that sound unnatural.
- Missing early registration or scholarship deadlines.
- Treating a bursary and scholarship as the same form of support.
- Applying to many schools without considering fit or logistics.
A historical lowest-offer score, allocation distance or pass threshold describes a past admissions round. It is useful context, not a promise about a future cohort.
Official information and further SET guidance
Official sources
Independent Schools CouncilISEB assessments
School Entrance Tests guides
11+ practice tests11+ exam timelines11+ syllabus guide11+ papers and school linksAll 11+ guidance
Frequently asked questions
Do all independent schools use the 11+?
No. Schools use different ages, entry points and assessment systems.
What subjects are normally tested?
English and maths are common. Reasoning, writing, online testing and interviews may also be used.
What is the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
It is an online assessment used by some independent schools, but families must check whether each target school uses it and how results are shared.
Are interviews coachable?
Children can practise discussing ideas and experiences, but memorised answers are usually less effective than thoughtful, authentic conversation.
What is the difference between a scholarship and bursary?
A scholarship generally recognises merit. A bursary is usually means-tested financial assistance.
How many schools should a child sit for?
There is no ideal number. Choose a manageable group with genuine fit, realistic logistics and a balanced range of competitiveness.
Plan from the admissions policy, not from assumptions
Confirm the current test and application rules, build the underlying skills, use practice diagnostically and keep school fit central to the decision.
Last editorial framework update: August 2026. Always verify the admissions cycle directly with the relevant authority, consortium and school.
Explore selective schools
11+ Selective School Guides by Region
Selective entry is broader than grammar-school admission.
These regional guides cover grammar schools, partially
selective schools, academic and aptitude places,
independent-school entrance tests, interviews,
scholarships and bursary routes.
Birmingham & West Midlands
Grammar schools, partially selective routes,
aptitude admissions and independent-school entry.
Warwickshire
Grammar-school selection, partial selection,
independent-school entry and scholarship routes.
Liverpool & Wirral
Wirral grammar selection alongside Liverpool-area
selective and independent-school entry.
Manchester & Trafford
Trafford grammar schools, selective routes,
aptitude admissions and independent schools.
Gloucestershire
Grammar schools, specialist selection, independent
schools and scholarship assessment.
Lincolnshire
Grammar-school routes alongside other selective
and independent-school admissions.
Devon
Plymouth, Torbay and Colyton selection plus
Devon independent and boarding-school entry.
Bournemouth & Poole
Grammar-school and independent selective entry
across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset.
Yorkshire & North Yorkshire
Grammar schools, individual selective schools,
aptitude routes and independent-school entry.
Medway
Medway grammar selection alongside other selective
and independent-school entry routes.
Bexley
Bexley grammar selection plus other selective,
aptitude and independent-school routes.
Sutton
Grammar-school testing, ability places and
independent selective entry around Sutton.
11+ Preparation by School Year
Preparation should change as children move through primary
school. Use these guides to match the amount and type of
practice to the child’s stage.
11+ Year 3 Preparation
Develop reading, vocabulary, mathematics and
reasoning foundations without intensive test pressure.
11+ Year 4 Preparation
Introduce structured preparation and the main
11+ question types before the core preparation year.
11+ Year 5 Preparation
Use a structured revision timetable covering
syllabus completion, timing and mock tests.
11+ Year 6 Preparation
Consolidate performance with final revision,
exam-month preparation and test-day planning.
Selective School Practice Resources
Private School Practice Tests
Practice resources for independent and private
school entrance assessments.
11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Tests
Practise vocabulary, verbal relationships,
classification, sequences, codes and related
11+ verbal reasoning skills.
A school may be fully academically selective, partially
selective, offer specialist aptitude places, or operate
independent entrance examinations. Always check the
individual school’s current admissions policy.