Common Entrance
What is the Common Entrance exam?
The Common Entrance exam is used by independent senior schools, particularly boarding schools, to assess whether or not a child has the right level of ability to do well at the school. It can be taken for entry at 11+, 12+ or 13+. It is set by a central, independent examination board - the Independent Schools Examinations Board, but is marked individually by the school to which parents have applied for a place. There is no common "pass" mark. More selective schools set a higher pass mark, less selective schools a lower one. The exam dates are set by the Board. Day schools often set their own entrance exam.
Common Entrance may also be taken by boys and girls who have attended state maintained schools and parents need to contact the Board to make arrangements for their child to sit the exam. A pupil must be registered with an independent senior school in order to take the Common Entrance examination.
The 11+ examination, taken in the autumn or spring term, is suitable for pupils from all schools and includes papers in English, Mathematics and Science.
Most students sitting the examination at 13+ come from independent prep schools and this exam includes a broader range of questions: in addition to English, Maths and Science, students may offer French, German, Spanish, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Greek and Latin. Please ask the senior school for which your child has been registered if you have questions about additional topics and standards required. The 13+ exam may be taken during the autumn, spring or summer term.
Families may find it helpful to provide extra help for their child in preparing for Common Entrance by engaging private tutors.