The Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) pre-tests are a crucial part of the admissions process for many prestigious UK independent schools. These tests assess a child’s ability in English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Proper preparation is key to boosting confidence and achieving the best possible results.
Here's how you can help your child to prepare effectively:
1. Understand the Format, Dates, Deadlines and Content
Before diving into preparation, it's important to understand what the ISEB pre-tests entail. These are computer-based assessments, typically taken at the child's current prep school or at a testing centre if you live outside the UK.
The test can be taken only once in each academic year (September to July). For some boarding schools, the ISEB pre-test is taken in year 6, for some in year 7. Many prep schools set aside time in October or November of the Autumn term for all children to sit the ISEB pre-test at the same time.
Your private boarding school will let you know the deadline by which your child must have completed the test. If you would like expert help to plan for your ISEB pre-test timing, please get in touch.
Parents must register with ISEB ahead of taking the test. This allocates an individual reference number to your child which you will then need to share with their current school (or whichever party is invigilating the test if your current school does not offer this type of support) The senior independent schools to which you are applying which also require notification of when and where they are taking the test, as well as their unique reference number.
Managing the ISEB pre-test process for several private boarding schools can be complicated, especially if you do not have the support of a prep school to help you. The dates and deadlines for pre-tests are all different.
When choosing your boarding schools for applications, it’s wise to consider the dates and deadlines for any pre-tests, assessments and interviews. Your child might become overwhelmed with too many tests and interviews, which runs the risk of them losing focus on their schoolwork. A good reference and reports from their current school is also important, so it is crucial to get the balance of schools you apply to right.
Please get in touch if you need assistance with choosing the best boarding schools for your child, as well and planning your strategy and dates for pre-tests, assessments and interviews.
We have a specialist team to help parents with admissions support to boarding schools. They can help you to register your child with ISEB and ensure all details are shared with boarding schools as necessary.
The tests cover four main areas:
English: Focuses on comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary.
Mathematics: Includes topics typically covered up to Year 5, such as arithmetic, geometry, and problem-solving.
Verbal Reasoning: Tests logic, understanding, and language-based problem-solving.
Non-Verbal Reasoning: Involves visual and spatial reasoning, such as identifying patterns and sequences.
2. Create a Study Plan and assess where your child is now
A well-structured skills and online test practice plan, using one of the many online platforms which offer practice tests, will help your child to gain confidence across all test areas.
Start by assessing your child’s strengths and weaknesses. If your current school is not able to do this, get in touch so our team of expert education consultants can support you with this. We will carry out a similar online academic profile test to the one used by independent schools, and then share our expertise on where you should focus preparation time, depending on the resulting report from the test.
Allocate more time to subjects and skills where they need improvement, but don’t neglect their stronger areas. Regular, short practice sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones. You need your child to peak at the right time on the ISEB pre-test day, and not feel bored by too much practice ahead of time.
3. Practice Regularly
Regular practice is essential for familiarising your child with the test format and types of questions. This will build their confidence and reduce nerves on the test day. Use past papers, sample questions, and online resources to simulate the test experience. Time each session to build your child’s speed and accuracy. Encourage them to practice under exam conditions to get used to working under time pressure.
Please get in touch if you would like advice on which online practice platform to use for practice sessions.
4. Focus on Weaker Areas
Identify the skill areas where your child struggles the most and spend extra time on those topics. If they're finding verbal reasoning challenging, work on vocabulary and practice different types of language-based puzzles. For non-verbal reasoning, practice with shapes, patterns, and sequences to improve their spatial awareness.
5. Boost Reading and Comprehension Skills
The english section of the ISEB pre-tests requires strong reading and comprehension skills. Encourage your child to read a variety of books, articles, and short stories. Discuss what they read to help them understand and analyse the content. This will improve their ability to answer comprehension questions effectively.
6. Revise Key Math Concepts
The mathematics section tests concepts that should be familiar to your child from their current curriculum. However, it’s important to review and reinforce these concepts, particularly if they have been learned some time ago. Practise mental arithmetic, basic geometry, and problem-solving regularly.
7. Develop Test-Taking Strategies
Help your child develop effective test-taking strategies, such as:
Elimination: Teach them to eliminate obviously incorrect answers to improve their chances of selecting the correct one. Another name for this is intelligent guessing.
Time Management: Encourage them to keep an eye on the time and move on if they get stuck on a question. Taking too long on one question will lead to struggles as the test progresses.
Accuracy: Remind them to double-check their answers if time allows. Some answers are set to trip up those who rush.
8. Stay Positive and Manage Stress
Preparing for the ISEB pre-tests can be stressful for both parents and children. It’s important to maintain a positive attitude and encourage your child throughout the process. Ensure they get enough rest, eat well, and have time for relaxation and fun. If your child is feeling anxious, practise mindfulness or relaxation techniques to help them stay calm.
9. Consider Professional Tutoring
If your child needs additional support, consider hiring a professional tutor who specialises in ISEB pre-test preparation. A tutor will provide personalised guidance, make learning fun, address any specific challenges, and offer valuable feedback to help your child improve.
Get in touch if you would like help to arrange the best tutor for your child. Via our experienced education consultants and admissions team, in conjunction with long-standing educational business partnerships, we are able to support you with choosing the best boarding school for your child, as well as guiding you with every aspect of the boarding school admissions, pre-test, assessment and interview process.
10. Take Mock Tests
Closer to the test date, practise full-length mock tests to assess their readiness. Mock tests help identify any remaining weak areas and give your child a realistic sense of what to expect on test day. Analyse the results together and adjust your study plan if needed.
11. Familiarise with the Test Environment
If possible, familiarise your child with the testing environment. Some prep schools will offer practice sessions where children experience the computer-based format and test environment. If your school does not offer this, try to replicate the test conditions at home to reduce any surprises on the actual test day.
12. Keep Up to Date with Any Changes
Stay informed about any changes to the ISEB pre-tests or the boarding school admissions process at the schools you’re applying to. This ensures that your preparation is aligned with the most current requirements and expectations. Keep a check on emails including your spam folder. Most private boarding schools use admissions software which will communicate key dates and information automatically. Action requests to submit additional information promptly.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for the ISEB pre-tests is a complication journey that requires time, effort, and patience. With the right approach, your child will enter the test with confidence and perform to the best of their abilities on the day. Remember, preparation is not just about studying hard—it's about studying smart and ensuring your child is well-rounded and ready for the challenges ahead.
Good luck!
If this piece on UK Boarding Schools has made you think considering British boarding schools could be the right option for your child, we offer a complimentary call for all families so we can explore this discussion further on an individual family basis. During the call we will ask you about your child, and your ambitions for their education. Then, we discuss how we are best to help you navigate the often-confusing waters of choosing, applying and securing an offer of a place to join the best British boarding school for your child and family.
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