What are the ISEB Pre-Tests?
The Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) introduced the Common Pre-Tests in 2010 with a goal to streamline the process of competitive entry to senior schools. In 2022-23 the test underwent significant changes with a move from GL to Century Tech as platform provider.
What is the test like?
There are four parts tested online in the Autumn or Spring term of Year 6. Your child will sit the test at their independent school or at an invigilation centre. The questions are taken from the Year 5 curriculum.
English - 40 minutes (including time to read the comprehension passage).
Maths - 40 minutes.
Verbal Reasoning - 25 minutes.
Non-Verbal Reasoning - 30 minutes.
The tests are adaptive, meaning the questions will become more difficult or easier depending on the pupil’s responses. In comparison to a traditional fixed test, an adaptive test means pupils spend less time answering questions that are either too easy or too hard for them. An adaptive test should prove more accurate in measuring academic attainment and potential.
What is a good SAS score?
The SAS is calculated based on the number of correct answers, taking into account the difficulty of questions. The scores are age-standardised so that appropriate comparisons can be made across the cohort between younger and older pupils and between testing dates. An SAS 100 is average. More academically selective schools often expect an SAS of 120 or above across the four sections.
Which schools use the ISEB Pre-Tests?
Tutorsquared pupils applying to St Pauls, Westminster, Eton, Maida Vale, or Wetherby, will sit the ISEB Pre-Test. A more comprehensive list of schools that use the ISEB is to be found on their website.
As a parent you must register your child to take the ISEB pretest using the ISEB Guardian Portal which opened this week. The results of the test will then be shared with any schools you have applied to who use the ISEB test as part of their admissions process.
How can my child practise for the ISEB Pre-Test?
Atom Learning, Bond Online, ISEB Online Shop, all provide practice tests.
Dates for the diary
UCS Hampstead- Open Evening 16 June
St Margaret’s School Hampstead- Open Morning 20 June
The ISEB Guardian Portal opened for registration on 9 June.
Saturday 13 June
Here is an outline of the work we covered today.
Year 4
English - Pupils learned to identify prepositions that show location, time, and movement in relation to nouns and pronouns. They also compared prepositions and subordinating conjunctions to develop a clearer understanding of the differences between the two word classes.
Maths - This week Year 4 was investigating money: conversions between pounds and pence and word problems involving money.
Year 5
English - Understand and identify colour metaphors, similes, and compound adjectives in texts, and use them effectively in their own writing.
Maths - Quick quiz on mental arithmetic and formal methods for calculations. We continued our topic of Transformations: Translations, Reflections and Rotations.
Verbal Reasoning- Timed tests on various topics.
Non-verbal Reasoning - Timed tests on various topics.
Interview Practice - This week we discussed some figures about smart phone ownership in different age groups in the UK. The debate that evolved was really interesting.
