11+ ISEB Pre-tests for independent boys' schools

[TennisMom]

How did everyone's son find the 11+ ISEB computer pre-tests this month? We found it to be relatively straightforward in Maths, English and VR but difficult in NVR.

[MrsPatmore]

Sorry I can't comment on the tests as my ds will be doing these next year. Can I ask please if the material is similar to GL/Bond type stuff and is it time pressured like the CEM exams? We will be sitting for WUS and others but not sure who is changing to this format yet.

[Violet34]

Have you received the results? DS took the exam in Nov mid.

[TennisMom]

SPBS & Eton results were sent last Friday and received over the weekend. WUS & Westminster results are going out tomorrow, the 16th.

There is a time element to the exams. The competitive boys schools (Westminster/WUS, SPB/Colet and Eton) are all doing ISEB exams.

[sissieisstressed]

Any advice on how to "prepare" for the ISEB pre test (when not in a prep school)? Are Bond/GL types of papers enough? Thank you.

[34z67y90]

Eton doesn't do the ISEB pre test - they have their own. Taken in year 6 depending on birthday.

Re: prep. My DS didn't do anything specific - but I would say strong mental maths and good vocabulary are essential.

[TennisMom]

Eton does require ISEB results as part of their admission process. It may be taken at another school and the results are shread with all the participating schools like SPB and Westminster.

[TennisMom]

p.s. Eton's own computer exam is done at the same time as the interview.

In summary, Eton requires their own computer exam, ISEB results, HM reference letter and interview to form the application profile.

[earsarehurting]

Tennis - are you confusing Eton and Harrow? I know boys who sat the Eton test this term (Y6) and who had to also sit the ISEB test to qualify for the Harrow test in Y7 (apparently they just have too many applicants now), no one I know have sat an ISEB for Eton, this year or previously.

[TennisMom]

You only sit the ISEB test once and it is shared by the senior schools that require them (for now, Westminster, Winchester, Harrow, SPB, Eton..to name a few). In your example, the boys who sat the ISEB exam for Harrow don't need to sit another one for Eton. Do you know any boy who only applied to Eton and didn't sit the ISEB exam?

ISEB is relatively new and the process is constantly changing, it seems. Westminster 13+ requires ISEB starting only a few years ago and now even requires it for Year 7 (11+) candidates starting Sep 2016 entry due to greater number of applicants.

[happygardening]

Tennismom Winchester as it clearly states on its website here does not require boys to sit the ISEB pre test it also does not use CE.

[34z67y90]

Eton website doesn't mention ISEB pre test requirement either.

[happygardening]

As far as Im aware Eton require it they have their own computer generated test.

[Michaelahpurple]

Eton haven't needed it before so I hope theta isn't right though now that even radley need it anything is possible.

[itsadrycold]

For boys coming from overseas, Eton requires they take the UKiset exam before coming to the school for assessment. The Assessment itself consists of 1/3 HM report, 1/3 computerized test, and 1/3 interview. Conditional offers went out last Friday. In 2018, boys that hold conditional places will sit for the Common Entrance, the successful completion of which secures their place at Eton.

[TRL]

Hi, we've just done Eton for the second time, as in last month. Boys sit Eton's own computerised exam + interview + head's report.

ISEB pretest is being used more widely this year again but NOT by Eton.

[earsarehurting]

Tennis - Yes, I do know boys who only applied to Eton and Whinchester (Winchester doesnt need ISEB either) and only one boy at our school sat the ISEB (for Harrow) and he sat it in the middle of November. He had his Eton test in the beginning of October...
I wasn't aware you only sit the ISEB once, so that was very useful information.
Luckily the ISEB did not apply to us (Harrow did not require it for our year), nor did WinCol or Radley, so there was one less hoop to jump through.

[TennisMom]

I went back to Eton's website and, true, they don't mention ISEB.

My assumption was based on our HM's speech during a Year 5 informational meeting on secondary school applications. I was told that ISEB scores will be sent to all the secondary schools we apply to that require them. Eton was mentioned as one school. Now I'm not so sure...

[Jules347]

Interested in peoples views on the ISEB prep test. I had never come across this before. My son was in state education in Devon until aged 9. He moved two years ago to a good prep school where he has been doing really well academically and musically. Applied to Harrow and asked to take the test. He used to do Bond papers. Told that no preparation was required for ISEB. He sat the test and according to Harrow was 'well below the required standard'. I am concerned that these tests will go out to other schools and he will be earmarked as having low potential, whereas he is actually an incredibly bright child with a huge amount of potential. Harrow would not give me the results. I am wondering if I can obtain the results from ISEB. It seems ridiculous that we are testing children aged 11+ in this manner to ascertain their potential over the next 7 years. Who designs the tests in the first place and as parents do we have any idea as to their accuracy of prediction over time. My middle daughter was a hopeless academic at this age, developed rapidly aged 14-16, now doing the IB (Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Maths, English and French) and about to apply to Cambridge for veterinary science. Also my son was diagnosed aged 8 with mild dyslexia - just wondering if this would impact heavily on his test results? Feeling somewhat confused and concerned. Any feedback would appreciated.

[Mandzi34]

My DS sat the ISEB pre test in December last year 2015 and passed for Colet Court (we didn't apply to Westminster) and none of the other schools we applied to required it. His class mate, a bright boy also passed for Colet Court but his score wasn't enough for Westminster so he wasn't invited back for their second test. It left me wondering if different schools have different thresholds?

[Ratherbesomewhereelse]

My eldest will be sitting pre tests next year.I wonder does anyone have experience of the Winchester pre tests,I have heard they differ from house to house.

[happygardening]

Winchester don't do the ISEB pre test as you know, a boy is instead interviewed by the HM of the house he's registered with. My DS was interviewed 7 years ago by his HM and I think he did one piece of writing and a math test, his friend did a math test and a comprehension, questions were asked verbally and another friend read a poem with his HM and they discussed it and I don't think he did any math. There were rumours at the time that one boy was only asked to put a camera back together but this could be just gossip!
The interview is very relaxed and informal, lasting at leas 1 1/2 hours , a boy has plenty of time to overcome any nerves or shyness and shine. HMs know what they and the school are looking for and I think go on their gut instinct a lot of the time, we were told (admittedly a very long time ago) that any formal tests only played a small part in the decision making process. My DS did little if any preparation for it and frankly if I was you I wouldn't stress about it.

[happygardening]

Jules347 if your DS is dyslexic did he get any extra time? English and VR are obviously much harder especially the latter if your dyslexic and I think I'm correct in thinking that NVR has a degree of speed attached to it (could be wrong there) and if your dyslexic and your reading speed is slower than average you'll not answer so many questions in the designated time.
Won't your prep give you the results of the test? Seems a bit much if no matter ne will tell you how well he did.

[Ratherbesomewhereelse]

Thank,this is very helpful advise.I know Winchester offer a very deep education and are going to be looking for a boy who will take advantage of this.Does the current headmaster also send a report?

[happygardening]

Yes he does. I don't know if it can be that influential, assuming your head supports the application he's only going to say positive things.

[Ratherbesomewhereelse]

Yes,I expect all boys go with a good report.How long after the interview do you find out?