ISEB Common Pre-Test Guide
The ISEB Common Pre-Tests are online, adaptive assessments used by many independent senior schools as part of admissions. They assess verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics.
SEARCH for replica 11 plus practice papers FOR ANY SCHOOL.
FREE 11 Plus Practice Tests with answers
What is this assessment?
The Common Pre-Tests are designed for pupils in Year 6 or Year 7 applying to senior schools. ISEB describes them as online and adaptive: question difficulty can respond to a candidate’s performance, so children do not all receive an identical sequence of items.
What does it assess?
| Verbal reasoning | Reasoning with words and language relationships. |
|---|---|
| Non-verbal reasoning | Reasoning with shapes, patterns and visual information. |
| English | Reading and language skills appropriate to the assessment. |
| Mathematics | Numerical knowledge and problem solving. |
How independent schools use the result
Independent schools control their own admissions decisions. A test result can be combined with interviews, current-school reports, references, written work, assessment-day observations and scholarship evidence. Families should therefore avoid treating one practice score as a direct prediction of an offer.
Always check the target school’s current admissions page because the assessment route, registration process and use of results can change.
How to prepare effectively
1. Confirm the test
Establish whether the school uses this ISEB route, another ISEB assessment or its own entrance papers.
2. Diagnose skills
Identify English, maths and reasoning strengths before intensive practice.
3. Teach weak areas
Repair vocabulary, comprehension, calculation or reasoning gaps explicitly.
4. Familiarise
Introduce the actual response format and representative question types after core skills are understood.
5. Add timing
Develop pacing gradually rather than turning every session into a timed test.
6. Review errors
Separate knowledge gaps, misunderstood methods, careless errors and time pressure.
School Entrance Tests ISEB and 11+ resources
Use the right practice
SET resources can provide detailed parent-facing practice and independent-school guidance. Match them to the target school rather than assuming every independent school uses the same assessment.
11 plus selective-school guides by region
Regional school choice matters
Independent-school admissions can overlap with grammar and partially selective applications. Use the regional guides to compare the wider selective landscape.
Common preparation mistakes
- Assuming every independent school uses the same ISEB assessment.
- Buying large practice packs before checking the target school’s process.
- Prioritising speed before comprehension and method are secure.
- Completing tests without analysing recurring errors.
- Ignoring interviews, reports or school-specific assessment stages.
- Treating practice scores as guaranteed admission outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
It is an online adaptive admissions assessment used by many independent senior schools.
Which subjects are tested?
Verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics.
Is the Common Pre-Test adaptive?
Yes. ISEB describes the assessment as adaptive, meaning question difficulty can change in response to performance.
Is it the same as ISEB 11+ written papers?
No. The Common Pre-Test is a distinct online assessment route.
Can children retake it for different schools?
Schools using the Common Pre-Test can share the candidate’s result within the relevant admissions cycle, subject to ISEB’s current arrangements.
How should children prepare?
Build the underlying English, maths and reasoning skills, then familiarise the child with online adaptive question presentation without trying to memorise item banks.
Prepare for the assessment the school actually uses
Confirm the current admissions route, build the underlying skills, familiarise carefully and keep the wider school decision in view.