Your First Step to Elite UK Schools: All About the 11+ & 13+ Exams

1. What is the ISEB?

The Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) is the organization that provides entrance exam papers for private (independent) schools in the UK. These exams are designed for students applying at ages 11 and 13.

The Two Stages of the ISEB Exams ：

1.Common Pre Test

Target Students:
Students in Year 6 or Year 7 (typically aged 10–12).

Subjects Covered:

English: Reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary
Mathematics: Based on the UK national primary curriculum, including basic operations and word problems
Verbal Reasoning: Vocabulary and logical reasoning
Non Verbal Reasoning: Pattern recognition, shapes, and spatial reasoning

Format:

Online multiple-choice test
Duration: approximately 2.5 hours in total
Results are shared with multiple schools, meaning students take the test only once for several applications

Timing:

Usually administered in the autumn term

Students may complete all sections in one day or over two separate days

Key Dates for the 2025–2026 Academic Year

June 10, 2025 – Early May 2026 : Guardian Portal open for registration and application.

September 2025 – Late May 2026 : Testing period

ISEB Common Pre Test 預考

Target Students	Year 6 or 7
Test Subjects	English、Math、Verbal Reasoning、Non-Verbal Reasoning
Testing Period	Usually held in the autumn term, with exact dates set by each school, but all testing must be completed before May of the following year.

2. Common Entrance (CE) Exam

Students who take the Common Entrance exam have usually already received a conditional offer from a private secondary school, having passed the Common Pre-Test in Year 6 or Year 7. The CE exam is the key to final admission and is typically administered at the student’s current school.

Timing:
Students who pass the pre-test will receive an invitation from the school to take the 11+ or 13+ CE exam.

11+ Exam: For Year 7 students (around 11 years old) transitioning from primary to secondary school. The exam is usually held in the autumn or spring term.
13+ Exam: For Year 9 students (around 13 years old) moving from lower secondary to upper secondary (high school). This exam covers a broader range of subjects.

Compulsory Subjects:

English
Mathematics
Science

Optional Subjects (13+ only):

French
History
Geography
Latin
Others depending on the school’s requirements

Purpose:
The CE exam serves as the formal admission assessment and plays an important role in preparing students for their future GCSE studies.

2. Scholarship Opportunities through ISEB

The 13+ Common Academic Scholarship offers scholarship opportunities for students with outstanding academic performance. The exam covers English, Mathematics, Science, and other subjects. UK secondary schools may require all subjects or only selected ones, and some schools might arrange additional bespoke tests.

Students planning to take the ISEB scholarship exam must be registered through the school they are applying to. The exam is usually held at the student’s current school or an authorized test center.

3. ISEB Sample Questions

4. ISEB FAQs

Q: Can Taiwanese students take the ISEB exam?
A: Yes! Many UK schools accept overseas candidates. The exam is usually arranged at authorized test centers or the student’s current school location.

Q: Which schools use the ISEB exam?
A: Most UK independent schools use ISEB as part of their admission assessment, but some schools have their own exam formats. Some state schools also accept ISEB results. Therefore, it is recommended that students planning to study in the UK prepare for the ISEB exam in advance.

Q: How to prepare for the ISEB exam?
A: The official recommendation is the Bond Online Premium Plus platform, which offers practice tests covering the full exam syllabus and includes a 7-day free trial. For complete preparation courses and timelines, please contact Valour Education.

5. Valour Course Highlights

Personalized One on One Lessons:
Whether you have ample time and want to build a strong foundation, or only one to two months left for an intensive review, our tailored courses are designed to meet your specific needs. Feel free to contact a Valour advisor for more details.

No Long Term Contracts:
At Valour, we don’t require students to sign binding contracts or purchase large prepaid packages. You’re welcome to try your first lesson at half price continue only if you’re satisfied!

Regular One on One Consultations:
Every two months, students meet with an educational consultant for a personal check-in. We believe there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to learning understanding each student’s unique traits allows us to provide truly effective support.

Go through each section of the course

During the meeting, the education consultant will first go through the course chapters covered over the past two months with the student to ensure they have fully absorbed and understood the material.。

Qualitative and quantitative performance assessment

Through data recording and categorized performance analysis, we conduct effective evaluations from both quantitative and holistic perspectives. This allows us to accurately identify strengths and weaknesses across different areas, helping students gain a clear understanding of their current learning progress.

Overall Estimated Performance Score

The education consultant will use the results from qualitative and quantitative performance assessments to predict the student’s potential score in the subject if they continue progressing. This helps the student consciously work towards achieving their target score.

Continuous monitoring and progress adjustment

Based on the results of each regular one-on-one meeting and the recorded data, continuous monitoring of the student’s learning performance is conducted. The education consultant will also adjust the teaching pace according to the student’s progress, keeping a close eye on their status at all times.