11+ ISEB Common Pre-Test
The Test
The 11+ ISEB Common Pre-Test is a key entrance exam used by top UK independent schools to assess candidates for Year 7 or Year 9 entry. Designed to evaluate a student’s academic ability and potential, the test is taken online and covers four core subjects:
🔹 English – Reading comprehension and grammar skills
🔹 Mathematics – Problem-solving, arithmetic and reasoning
🔹 Verbal Reasoning – Understanding and manipulating language-based patterns
🔹 Non-Verbal Reasoning – Spatial awareness and logic-based problem-solving
The test is adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on the student’s responses, providing schools with an accurate measure of ability.
Our Approach
The Pennyfeather Approach to preparing for the 11+ ISEB Common Pre-Test is simple. First, students must master their national curriculum content. Second, they must master the 11+ ISEB Common Pre-Test content. Third, they must master the exam technique. Finally, they must learn and refine the skills necessary to thrive on second-round assessment days - this may include preparing for other, specialist computerised tests, such as the Eton Test or the Harrow Test.
The best prepared candidates will begin their preparations in Year 4, though it is possible to prepare for this exam from Year 5 onwards.
11+ London Consortium
The Test
If your child is applying to one of the leading independent girls' schools in London, they will need to sit the 11+ London Consortium Exam. This standardised assessment is used by multiple schools within the Consortium, including Francis Holland, Queen's College and South Hampstead High School, among others.
🔹 English – Reading comprehension and grammar skills
🔹 Mathematics – Problem-solving, arithmetic and reasoning
🔹 Verbal Reasoning – Understanding and manipulating language-based patterns
🔹 Non-Verbal Reasoning – Spatial awareness and logic-based problem-solving
🔹 Puzzles & Problem Solving – Game-like, arithmetical problem-solving
🔹 Creative Comprehension – Source-based reading comprehension
The first four sections of the test are adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on the student’s responses, providing schools with an accurate measure of ability. The final two sections are not adaptive, so all candidates see the same questions.
Our Approach
The Pennyfeather Approach to preparing for the 11+ London Consortium is simple. First, students must master their national curriculum content. Second, they must master the 11+ London Consortium content. Third, they must master the exam technique. Finally, they must learn and refine the skills necessary to thrive on second-round assessment days.
The best prepared candidates will begin their preparations in Year 4, though it is possible to prepare for this exam from Year 5 onwards.