I hope that this message finds all our families well and coping with their respective lockdowns and online schooling.
As most UK schools are due to return after the Easter break this week, but in essence are just joining other schools around the world embarking on a programme of online learning for the Summer term, I thought this was a good opportunity to answer questions I am frequently asked about entry exams at 11+ and 13+. Some of you have been through this, whilst others are embarking on part of the process and the attached might help. And, as I start work with new students beginning the process for next year, it serves as reminder, that there is life ahead of the pandemic we are all now living through.
Best regards,
Fiona
FAQs: 11+ / ISEB pre-test /Common Entrance / 13+ - what are they?
A perennial question I am asked is about the above and there is no surprise that parents navigating the system of school entry for the first time with their children are confused. I hope the following simple explanation will help take some of the haze away …
First of all, the phrase “11+” is a bit of a misnomer as it refers to any exam taken by a child in Year 6 for Year 7 (or 11+) entry. It can be used to refer to the entry exam that Local Education Authorities (LEAs) use for grammar (selective state school) entry and whilst its exact format varies from LEA to LEA, it usually involves some form of multi choice Verbal Reasoning (VR), Non Verbal Reasoning (NVR), English and Maths assessments.
The 11+ also refers to exams that independent schools have in Y6 for Y7 (11+) entry. The process often begins in the Autumn of Year 6 and is usually over by the January of Year 6. Year 7 entry is typical of most London day schools as well as girls’ boarding schools. Generally, this independent school entry exam consists of traditional format written English and Maths papers and sometimes VR and NVR papers too. However, some schools, such as the London 11+ consortium schools (including such schools as Godolphin & Latymer and Francis Holland) now don’t do any traditional format papers at all, but only multi choice VR, NVR, English and Maths exams similar to the state grammar entry.
Another exam also taken in Year 6 is the ISEB pre-test. Unlike the above examples, it is not for Y7 (11+) entry but is an early assessment for 13+ (Year 9) entry into various independent schools, mainly boarding. Previously, many schools did their own form of pre-testing, but in recent years, more and more schools are opting for the ‘Common pre-test’ administered by the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) which is why the exam is commonly referred to as the ‘ISEB pre-test’. Its format again is similar to the 11+ consortium and state grammar entry and is used diagnostically by schools to decide whether a child should proceed to their next level of entrance testing. The next stages may be more multi choice cognitive tests and interviews and are usually followed by more traditional written tests in either Year 7 or Year 8.
The name ‘ISEB pre-test’ can lead to confusion, as ISEB also administer other common exams – for example, if schools use a Common Entrance (CE) exam rather than one they made themselves. These exams can be the Common Entrance at 11+ but the phrase ‘Common Entrance’ is most commonly used to refer to the exam sat at 13 (Year 8) for entry to independent schools at 13+ (Year 9). Firstly, there is nothing common about it at all as in fact very few schools still use the Common Entrance exam (and those that do mainly use it for setting purposes only) and the vast majority who have exams at 13+ exams, actually make their own exams. And for schools that do sit the CE, there is not a standard mark scheme, but schools will mark it as severely (or not) as is required by their own academic selection procedure.
So, that is it in a nutshell, as clearly as I can explain in one page. But, you can see that it is a bit of a minefield to get through. Each family’s requirements are different so don’t worry, I am here to steer you through the process. What I hope I have shown above is that although some parents go and buy Bond books and get past CE papers to practice, this is not necessarily the most effective thing to do, unless you know specifically which set of exams and schools you are going for.
I am here to help and ensure that your child is best prepared for where they are going and taking the best route possible but I hope that the above provides some clarification on the schools entry process.
Fiona Hodgkins