Common Entrance

The last two years in a preparatory school are usually spent preparing the pupils for the entry to independent senior schools. Some boys' senior schools admit boys to their lower schools at 11. Others require boys to take the Common Entrance Examination for entry to the school at 13. Most girls' senior schools admit pupils at ages from 11 upwards.

Schools set their own examination or use the Common Entrance Examination, which can be taken for entry to the school at 11 or 13. This exam is set centrally and details, including copies of previous papers, can be obtained from the Independent Schools' Examinations Board.

The exam is marked individually by the senior school you have chosen. It is a qualifying, rather than competitive, exam. Each school has its own pass mark. One which has a high pass mark of 60-65 or above is selecting children of a high academic standard. If the pass mark is 50 or below, the school is selecting a wider range of abilities or is able to allow for differences in earlier schooling. If your son or daughter does not pass, the papers can be sent to another school.

The Common Entrance examination is broadly in line with the national curriculum and the methods of the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education), which will be the next landmark in your child's education.

For entry at 11, your son or daughter will be asked to do tests in English, mathematics and science. English as an additional language is optional. For entry at 13, he or she may offer any of the following: history, geography, religious studies, English as an additional language, French, German, Spanish, Latin and Greek, as well as doing English, mathematics and science.

The Common Entrance examinations are held in February/March and June for boys and girls aged 13+ who wish to enter the senior school at that age. The 11+ exam is held in January.

If your child is at a state primary school, you should contact the Independent Schools' Examinations Board at least four months in advance.

Thousands of children enter the independent sector each year at the secondary school stage. Many senior schools admit pupils after interview and/or their own entrance examination. Some use a mixture of procedures for entry at 11, 12 or 13. Remember to check with the school what their entry requirements are.

The Independent School Examinations Board (ISEB) is able to send out copies of past examination papers and other information. The ISEB can ve contacted at Jordon House, Christchurch Road, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 6QJ, or visit the ISEB website.