How We’re Tackling the ISEB Pre-Test This Summer (Without Losing Our Minds)

ukindepschool
Jun 13
4 min read

🧡 Let’s Talk Honestly for a Moment...

If your child is applying to top independent schools through the 13+ Common Entrance pathway, you’ve probably heard about the ISEB Pre-Test—that online test taken in Year 6, often before you’ve even visited your dream school.

And you might be thinking:

"Wait, does this test really matter?""How do schools use the results?""Are we already behind?"

You're not alone. I’m a parent too, and I help families navigate this process all the time. So here’s a realistic and calm game plan, plus some insider tips I give to my own clients.

🎯 So... How Important Is the ISEB Pre-Test?

🔍 It Depends on the School

Each school uses the ISEB Pre-Test a little differently. Some examples:

Highly competitive schools (e.g. Westminster, St Paul’s, Eton):→ Use ISEB as a filter. If your child doesn’t hit their threshold (often above 125-130+ on average), they may not proceed to interview or assessment day.
Mid-competitive schools (e.g. Dulwich, Sevenoaks, Charterhouse):→ Use ISEB results alongside school reports, references, and interviews. A slightly lower score can be offset by other strengths.
Smaller or more holistic schools (e.g. King’s Rochester, Abingdon, Mill Hill):→ Focus more on the overall profile. ISEB helps them understand baseline ability but isn’t the sole deciding factor.

💡 My Advice to Parents:

Treat the ISEB Pre-Test like a first impression—it won't seal the deal, but a strong showing opens doors.

🔧 So, What Actually Is the ISEB Pre-Test?

The test is taken online and covers four areas:

English
Maths
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal ReasoningEach section is adaptive—meaning the questions get harder or easier depending on your child’s performance.

📆 Our Realistic Summer Study Plan

We’re not trying to “cram” the summer. Instead, we’re aiming for:

4 learning days per week
60–90 mins max per day
Frequent breaks, games, and chill time
A bi-weekly mock test for exposure

Here’s how we break it down ⬇️

🧠 SUBJECT BY SUBJECT — WITH EXAMPLES

1. ✏️ English (Reading & Grammar)

This tests:

Reading comprehension
Word meanings in context
Grammar and punctuation knowledge

Typical question

“Which word is closest in meaning to ‘reluctantly’?”A) happily B) unwillingly C) quickly D) loudly

✅ Focus on:

Daily reading (fiction + nonfiction)
Weekly vocab challenges
Fun games like “spot the punctuation error” on menus or signs

📌 Top Tip: Read from high-quality sources like The Week Junior, First News, or classic fiction (e.g., Michael Morpurgo, Eva Ibbotson, or Philip Pullman)

2. ➕ Maths (Problem Solving over Memorising)

Covers:

Arithmetic, fractions, percentages, geometry
Time, measurement, data
Word problems and logic puzzles

Typical question

“Sam buys 3 apples at £1.25 each and a sandwich for £2.80. How much change does he get from £10?”

✅ Focus on:

Applying maths to real life (cooking, shopping, travel planning)
Breaking down problems into smaller parts
Knowing times tables inside out

📌 Top Tip: Use short, timed drills for speed AND longer problems to practise working through methodically.

3. 🧠 Verbal Reasoning (Word + Logic Puzzles)

Tests:

Synonyms, antonyms, word codes
Sequences and analogies
Understanding word meanings, prefixes, and suffixes

Typical question

Find the odd one out:A) apple B) banana C) carrot D) grape

✅ Focus on:

Word ladders, logic grids
“What comes next?” games
Building confidence with unknown words through root knowledge

📌 Top Tip: Don't just learn words—talk about why they're correct or incorrect. That builds deeper understanding.

4. 🔳 Non-Verbal Reasoning (Shape Patterns & Puzzles)

Tests:

Shape sequences, rotations, similarities
Spotting patterns and rules

Typical question

Which figure comes next in the sequence?(then 5 shapes shown in a visual grid)

✅ Focus on:

Puzzles like Sudoku, Tangrams, jigsaw apps
Describing patterns out loud (e.g., “it rotates 90 degrees each time”)

📌 Top Tip: Some children find this the trickiest at first—make it visual and fun, not frustrating.

🧪 Mock Tests: Why & When We Do Them

Start light. A full mock test might feel overwhelming at first.

🥄 Instead, break it into:

Week 2: Try 1 section under time
Week 4: Try 2 sections back-to-back
Week 6: Full test with short breaks between

After each one, sit down and reflect:

Where did they feel strong?
What tripped them up?
What needs adjusting in the plan?

✨ Our Mindset This Summer

This is NOT about “acing the test.” It’s about building:

Confidence under time pressure
Familiarity with question styles
A love of learning (and thinking!)

💬 Want Some Help Creating Your Own Plan?

If you’re not sure where to start—or want a second opinion—I’d love to chat.

I offer:

📞 Free 20-min Summer Strategy Calls
✍️ Personalised Study Plans
🧪 Mock Test Packages
🎯 Target School Advice (e.g. what Tonbridge expects vs. what Mill Hill looks for)

Email us: jane.y@indepeducation.co.uk

Final Words from One Mum to Another...

Let’s be kind to ourselves.

This isn’t about being perfect or turning into a full-time tutor. It’s about giving our children just enough structure so they walk into the ISEB Pre-Test with confidence.

You’re doing great already. Let’s make the most of the summer—together.