The 11+ and 13+ Entrance Exams Explained (2026 Guide)

The 11+ and 13+ are the main UK private school entrance exams. At 11+, most schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Test, school-specific papers, or a mix of both. At 13+, the ISEB Common Pre-Test (taken in Year 6 or 7) is used for pre-testing, followed by Common Entrance or school-specific papers in Year 8. Both exams typically cover English, maths and reasoning, with subject-specific papers added at 13+. Preparation over 12-18 months is standard for most families.

This is a supporting article within our pillar guide to the UK private school admissions process.

The 11+ exam

The 11+ is the main entry point into senior school for many UK independent schools, particularly girls' schools and co-educational schools that admit at 11 rather than 13.

Who sits it

Pupils in Year 6 (age 10-11).
Applying for entry into Year 7 the following September.
Taken in the autumn or winter of Year 6, depending on the school.

What it covers

English — comprehension, writing, sometimes vocabulary or spelling.
Maths — arithmetic, problem-solving, curriculum-based.
Verbal reasoning — word analogies, patterns, code-breaking.
Non-verbal reasoning — shape patterns, spatial thinking.Sometimes an interview and written personal statement.

Which format

There are three main formats used at 11+:

ISEB Common Pre-Test — a standardised computer-based test used by many schools.
School-specific papers — written papers set by individual schools.
Standardised tests — GL Assessment, CEM (rarely at 11+), or bespoke tests.

Some schools use only one format; some combine two or more. Ask each school which they use. Our full guide to the ISEB Common Pre-Test covers that specific format in depth.

The 13+ exam

The 13+ is the traditional entry point for many UK boarding schools and some co-ed and boys' schools. It is a two-stage process at most schools.

Stage 1: The pre-test

The ISEB Common Pre-Test is now the most widely used pre-test. It is:

Taken in Year 6 or 7 (age 10-12).
A standardised online computer-based test.
Used by schools to make provisional offers.
Covers English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

A place at the target 13+ school is typically offered conditionally on the pre-test result plus a satisfactory interview and continued good progress at prep school.

Stage 2: Common Entrance or school-specific papers

At the end of Year 8 (age 12-13), pupils sit the actual entrance papers. These are:

Common Entrance Examination (CEE) — the traditional 13+ paper, used by many boarding schools.
School-specific 13+ papers — used by schools that have moved away from Common Entrance.

Papers typically include English, maths, sciences, French, and subject options such as history, geography, Latin, RE and Spanish. Grading is usually pass/fail against a specific threshold, with scholarship awards for stronger candidates.

Common Entrance in detail

Common Entrance is set by the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) and used by a specific list of schools. It is:

Sat at the end of Year 8, usually in May or June.
·Marked by the receiving school, not centrally.
Graded against a threshold specific to each school.
Increasingly declining in popularity as schools move to their own bespoke tests.

Some schools require Common Entrance passes at specific levels (e.g. 60 per cent for a standard offer, 70 per cent for a scholarship). Others have moved to school-specific papers taken slightly earlier.

How to prepare

Effective preparation typically covers:

English

Wide reading — fiction and non-fiction at and slightly above the child's current level.
Writing practice — short essays, creative writing, comprehension responses under time pressure.
Vocabulary building — steady expansion.
Grammar and punctuation — comfortable, not laboured.

Maths

Full curriculum mastery at Year 5-6 level for 11+, Year 7-8 for 13+.
Problem-solving — questions requiring application of skills to unfamiliar contexts.
Speed and accuracy under time pressure.
Mental arithmetic.

Reasoning

Verbal reasoning practice — familiarity with question types.
Non-verbal reasoning practice — pattern recognition.
Familiarity with the specific test format.

Subject papers (13+)

For 13+ candidates, additional preparation in sciences, languages and humanities is typically needed. Most prep schools structure their Years 6-8 curriculum specifically to prepare pupils for these papers.

Preparation timeline

Time before exam	Focus
18-24 months	Build reading habits. Master core curriculum. Introduce reasoning.
12-18 months	Focused topic practice. Introduce past papers.
6-12 months	Timed practice. Interview preparation.
3-6 months	Full past-paper practice. Mock exams.
0-3 months	Refinement. Confidence-building. Rest as much as work.

Tutoring

Tutoring is common — at the most competitive schools, the majority of successful candidates receive some form of tutoring. But over-tutoring is a real risk. Effective tutoring:

Fills specific gaps rather than pushing beyond genuine ability.
Builds exam technique — timing, question-picking, checking.
Familiarises the child with the specific format each school uses.
Supports rather than replaces school teaching.

Excessive tutoring — 5+ hours per week for years — often produces exhausted rather than capable candidates. Our full guide to tutoring for private school entry (Pillar 10) covers the question in depth.

Interview preparation

Interviews are almost always part of 11+ and 13+ admissions. Preparation should include:

Practising talking about the child's interests coherently.
Discussing books, films or ideas the child cares about.
Explaining why the specific school appeals.
Handling open-ended and unexpected questions.

Our full guide to UK private school interviews covers what schools look for and how to prepare well.

Managing pressure

Both 11+ and 13+ can be stressful. Signs of unhealthy pressure:

Consistent tearfulness or anxiety around tutoring.
Loss of interest in other activities.
Sleep disruption.
Behavioural changes in the months before exams.

A confident, articulate child arrives at exams better able to perform than an extensively prepared but anxious one. Rest, sleep and calm matter.

Final thought

The 11+ and 13+ are genuine milestones — the biggest exam moments most UK children experience before GCSEs. Approach them structurally, prepare consistently rather than intensively, and remember that the goal is a school where your child will thrive — not the school with the most demanding exam.

My Top Schools helps parents find the right school for their child — with clear profiles, honest information, and search filters built around what really matters. Start your search.

The 11+ and 13+ Entrance Exams Explained