Cselective entry

Common Entrance

The standardised exam used by many independent senior schools at 11+ and 13+ entry.

The Common Entrance exam is a standardised assessment used by many independent senior schools for entry at 11+ and 13+. It is administered by the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB).

Subjects vary by entry point:

11+ Common Entrance - English, Maths and Science
13+ Common Entrance - up to 11 subjects including languages, humanities and sciences

Common Entrance is largely independent-school territory; state grammar schools use the 11+ instead. Some schools also set their own pre-test or interview, used in conjunction with Common Entrance results.

A growing number of independents now use the ISEB Common Pre-Test (an online test taken in Year 6 or 7) followed by school-specific assessments, instead of the traditional written Common Entrance papers.

If your child is preparing for both state grammars and independents, you’ll need to plan around two different exam systems with different formats and timetables.

More terms starting with C

Catchment Area

The geographical area a school typically draws its pupils from, often defined by recent furthest-distance offers.

Comprehensive School

A non-selective state secondary school that admits pupils across the full range of ability.