UK Entrance Exams
13+ Common Entrance Preparation — Expert Tutoring for Independent School Entry
The 13+ Common Entrance exam determines entry to top UK independent senior schools at Year 9. Our specialist tutors ensure your child is thoroughly prepared across all required subjects — from the Common Pre-Test through to final CE papers.
In a nutshell
- Age & year
- Common Pre-Test at age 10–11 (Year 6); 13+ Common Entrance in Year 8 (age 13) for Year 9 entry.
- What it is
- ISEB-set exams used by independent senior schools to assess subject knowledge in English, maths, sciences and optional papers.
- Why it matters
- A strong CE result secures your child's place at a leading independent school and may qualify them for scholarships or exhibitions.
- How we help
- School-specific preparation with subject-specialist tutors, past papers, mock exams and coordinated progress reports for parents.
What is the 13+?
The 13+ Common Entrance (CE) examination is used by independent senior schools in England and Wales to assess students for entry into Year 9, when children are 13 or 14. Papers are set by the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) but marked by each individual school using its own grade boundaries — so a “pass” at one school may differ from another.
Common Pre-Test vs 13+ CE: These are two distinct stages. The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online adaptive test taken around age 10–11 (Year 6). Senior schools use it to screen candidates and offer conditional places before the final CE exam. The 13+ Common Entrance is sat in Year 8 — typically in February — and confirms the place for Year 9 entry the following September. Not every school requires the Pre-Test, but most leading independents do. We prepare for whichever stage your target school requires.
Target schools:Common Entrance is the standard route into leading independent senior schools including Eton, Winchester, St Paul's, Westminster, Cheltenham Ladies' College, Marlborough, Radley, Charterhouse and dozens of others. Each school specifies which papers and tiers it requires — there is no one-size-fits-all preparation.
Scholarship exams: Many schools offer academic scholarships or exhibitions (fee reductions) based on outstanding performance in scholarship papers — typically more demanding than standard CE. Scholarship candidates sit additional or extended papers, often with less notice. We identify scholarship requirements early and add extension work where your child has the potential to compete.
Unlike the 11+, which tests reasoning aptitude, the 13+ tests deep subject knowledge accumulated over Years 6, 7 and 8. Preparation is a marathon, not a sprint — and it must be precisely aligned to your target school's requirements, not a generic workbook.
What's covered
Core papers required by all schools, plus optional subjects depending on your target school. Our maths tutoring and English tutoring integrate directly with 13+ science and humanities coaching.
English Language & Literature
Example skills: Comprehension, summary, essay writing, grammar, vocabulary, literary analysis of set texts
How we teach it: We build analytical writing and close reading with weekly essays marked to ISEB standards.
Mathematics
Example skills: Number, algebra, geometry, statistics, problem-solving at Level 2–3 ISEB standard
How we teach it: We consolidate KS3 topics and extend into exam-level multi-step problems with timed paper practice.
Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Example skills: Core concepts, practical knowledge, data interpretation, short-answer and structured responses
How we teach it: Subject-specialist tutors cover each science separately, aligned to your target school's tier and syllabus.
Optional papers (by school requirement)
Is this right for your child?
13+ preparation is essential for families targeting independent senior school entry. Consider tutoring if any of these apply:
Your child has a conditional offer after the Common Pre-Test
A Pre-Test offer must be confirmed by strong CE results. We ensure your child meets or exceeds the required grade in every paper.
You are applying to a selective independent senior school
Schools such as Eton, Winchester and St Paul's expect thorough subject mastery. Generic revision is not enough — school-specific preparation is essential.
Your child is aiming for a scholarship or exhibition
Scholarship papers demand extension-level work. We add scholarship past papers and advanced coaching once core CE standards are secure.
Your child needs support across multiple subjects
Most CE candidates sit six or more papers. We assign specialist tutors for each subject, all coordinated under one preparation plan.
When to start — Year 6 to Year 8 timeline
13+ preparation spans up to three years. Starting early reduces pressure and allows genuine subject mastery rather than last-minute cramming.
Screening
Year 6 — Common Pre-Test
Prepare for the online Pre-Test in English, maths and reasoning. Secure a conditional offer from your target senior school.
Build depth
Year 7 — Foundation
Consolidate KS3 content across all required subjects. Begin past-paper practice at the appropriate ISEB tier for your target school.
Exam year
Year 8 — Final CE
Intensive timed papers, full mock exams in February conditions, scholarship extension work and final grade-boundary targeting.
How we prepare your child
- Diagnostic assessment across every required paper — English, maths, sciences and optional subjects
- Personalised plan aligned to your target school's ISEB tier, grade boundaries and past papers
- Subject-specialist tutors for each paper — coordinated so nothing falls through the cracks
- Weekly mock papers marked to school-specific criteria, not generic mark schemes
- Past-paper practice using ISEB papers and school-specific resources wherever available
- Common Pre-Test coaching (online adaptive format) for Year 6 candidates
- Scholarship extension work for high-achieving students targeting exhibitions or fee reductions
- Detailed written feedback and regular progress reports for parents after every session
See our tutoring plans and pricing or book a free demo class to discuss your target schools.
Common mistakes & challenges we fix
Generic preparation not matched to the target school
Each school sets different tiers and grade boundaries. We obtain school-specific past papers and marking criteria so your child prepares for the right standard.
Neglecting the Common Pre-Test in Year 6
Without a Pre-Test offer, your child may not reach the CE stage at all. We prepare for the online adaptive format alongside ongoing subject work.
Leaving sciences until Year 8
Biology, chemistry and physics each require sustained study. Starting sciences in Year 7 avoids a crushing workload in the final term.
Underestimating English essay requirements
CE English demands structured, analytical writing under time pressure — not just comprehension. We build essay technique with weekly marked practice.
No scholarship preparation until it is too late
Scholarship standards exceed standard CE. We identify scholarship potential early and add extension work well before exam season.
Subject-specialist tutors for every 13+ paper · School-specific preparation · ISEB-aligned papers · Regular progress reports for parents
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