Keystone Tutors Blog
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What are the best ways to prepare for ISEB Common Pre-Tests?
There's a lot of anxiety surrounding ISEB Common Pre-Tests. Parents I speak with are often concerned about the lack of example questions provided from ISEB themselves – a familiar tool for preparing for many other important tests. This lack of predictability is precisely the point of the Pre-Test. It's a test which can't be beaten simply by doing mindless, repetitive preparation.
ISEB Pre-Test Scores and Pass Mark
The way the ISEB Pre-Test is scored, and the way the results are used by different schools, can be confusing for parents. The key questions parents have about these tests are answered below.
UKiset Verbal Reasoning
There are three types of reasoning tested within the UKiset: Verbal Reasoning: language questions and problem solving with words Non-Verbal Reasoning: solving problems using shapes, pictures and logic Mathematical Reasoning: looking at number, value, quantity and sequence concepts.
What is a good UKiset score?
What counts as a good UKiset score depends greatly on the school a candidate is applying to attend, and also varies according to the three sections of the test. The following points can act as a rough guide.
Is Online Tuition for English Right for My Child?
Michael has been working for Keystone for over 3 years, tutoring students online in English. In this short question and answer article, Michael covers some of the key concerns that parents often have about the effectiveness of online tuition, based on his own extensive experience. He also talks about some of the tools and techniques that can be used by tutors and students to get the most out of online tuition.
How Effective Is Online Tutoring? A Parent’s Guide
Online tutoring has been a popular option for many years – but how effective is it? What are the key differences between online and in-person tuition? Is it right for your child? In the article below, one of Keystone's most experiened online tutors Alexander, answers parents’ most frequent questions about the advantages of online tutoring.
UKiset Vocabulary List
It is difficult to recommend one vocabulary list for the UKiset, as it can be taken by students at any age between 9-and-a-half to 18 years old. As a profiling assessment, it measures a student’s level of academic English which is then judged against peers of the same age.
UKiset Past Papers and Sample Tests
Past papers are a fantastic way to prepare for any kind of exam - but UKiset do not publish them, sadly! Fortunately there are a number of ways to prepare for the different sections of the test, and any candidate taking the UKiset would be well advised to practice using the resources and tips below.
Does Alma Still Matter? A Report by Keystone Tutors on The Schools Educating The Nation's Elite
Keystone has today published a report that analyses the education backgrounds of individuals who feature in Who's Who and Who Was Who. Analysing 66,000 datapoints from the Who's Who database we have been able to see some fascinating the trends as to which schools are educating the "nation's elite".
Webinar: “Can do better?” Have we found the best way to assess schools and how to select them?
This webinar, co-hosted by Keystone Tutors and Wild Search, brought together a distinguished panel of experienced educationalists to challenge some of the assumptions which are often made regarding schools.
Guide to Human, Social, and Political Sciences (HSPS) at Cambridge
What is HSPS at Cambridge? Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) at Cambridge is a three-year BA Hons degree in politics, international relations, social anthropology and sociology. Although students can focus on one of these areas from the start, HSPS is also the broadest and most flexible political and/or social science degree at Oxbridge.
The Complete Guide to Computerised Pre-tests
In recent years, many independent senior schools that have put pre-tests in place have purposefully designed them with as little transparency as possible. It is for this reason that the tests are often computer generated and no past papers are issued. As such, no tutor can claim to have in depth knowledge or experience of the tests themselves, in their current form.
Webinar: Top Tips for University Interviews
Harriet Blomefield, Keystone's Head of Consultancy, was joined by Ed Richardson, our Director of Education and Jenny McGowan, our Director in Asia to discuss University Interviews. They also provided some top tips to aid the process.
Gap Year Advice
What is a gap year? A gap year, sometimes known as a ‘year out’ is typically a year long break taken between completion of Year 13 (Upper Sixth) at school and the start of college/university. In the United Kingdom the practice of taking a gap year became popular in the 1970s. The year out was seen as an opportunity to gain life experience through travel and volunteering.
Tutor Tips for Oxford and Cambridge Interviews
Download our guide to Oxford and Cambridge interviews, featuring top tips from those who studied at Oxford and Cambridge.
Webinar: The 7 Plus and 8 Plus
Keystone's Director of Education, Ed Richardson, was joined by Dee Francken, former Senior Teacher at the North London Collegiate School, and Steph Kitson-Smith, one of Keystone's most experienced tutors, to discuss the 7 and 8+.
Webinar: 21st Century Schooling
Keystone's Founder and Director, Will Orr-Ewing, delved into new forms of schooling for the 21st Century. Will was joined by guest speakers, Jonathan Noakes, who is Head of Teaching & Learning at Eton College, Sam Rogerson, Co-Founder and Head of Lexicon School and Hugh Dickinson, Founder of Concept Education.
Webinar: Top Tips for School Entrance Interviews
Keystone’s Director of Education, Ed Richardson are joined by Charlie Bostock, Registrar at Uppingham School and Philip Lough, former Headmaster of Windlesham House School, The Hall, and Westminster Under School to discuss their top tips for school entrance interviews.
The Keystone Scoop - Autumn 2020
Dear Parent, I hope you, your family and friends are all okay. The start of a new academic year usually brings a 'back-to-normality' vibe for me; I wish it were more so this year. We have all been besieged by articles on 'how x will change post COVID-19'. I am yet to read anything really convincing on what will change in education.
Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)
What is the TSA? The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) is a form of assessment used to measure aptitude in critical thinking and problem solving. The TSA can be a requirement for gaining entry to top universities (including Oxford, Cambridge and UCL), as well as a handful of independent schools, who produce their own modified version of the exam (sometimes called a Critical Thinking test) for 16+. Download our Guide to the Thinking Skills Assessment.
A Complete Guide to Cambridge University Interviews
Interviewing for a Place to Study at Cambridge University Cambridge University, founded over 800 years ago, supposedly by scholars fleeing from irate townsfolk in Oxford, is one of the world's greatest universities and a historic seat of learning. Graced by the stunning architecture of its colleges, and filled with keen minds from around the world, Cambridge is an amazing place to study your chosen subject.
Webinar: Preparing for the 11+ & Computerised Pre-Tests
Keystone's Founder and Director, Will Orr-Ewing, are joined by our Director of Education, Ed Richardson, and Harriet Blomefield, Keystone’s Head of Consultancy to discuss the 11+.
Home-Schooling Pods
What is ‘Pod’ learning and why is it increasingly popular? The Corona Virus Pandemic has changed many people’s views on home-schooling and with the ever-changing advice on schools, it is a path that is of interest to many parents.
A Complete Guide to Oxford University Interviews
Interviews are often considered to be the most intimidating and mysterious elements of the Oxford admissions process. This guide is designed to demystify the Oxford interview process so that you can approach your interview as confidently as possible.
What are the ISEB Common Pre-Tests and how can you prepare?
The ISEB Common Pre-Tests are very commonly used by senior independent schools as a part of their admissions process.
Keystone Tutors A Level Guide
Advanced Level qualifications, better known as A Levels, help students enter universities or colleges or careers related to the subjects they choose to study. Originally introduced in the UK in 1951, they are also offered in a range of Commonwealth countries, and are normally studied over the course of a 2 year period. Most students will study either 3 or 4 A Levels between the ages of 16 and 19.
History Admissions Assessment Cambridge - Updated 2020
And it had all seemed so simple. For the past several years, from 2016 to 2019, Cambridge had joined Oxford in setting all the candidates who applied to the university to read history, or joint honours degrees involving history, a written assessment that was taken at the same time as the Oxford HAT – about a month before the interview stage. This exam, known as the History Admissions Assessment (HAA), consisted of two one-hour papers.
GCSE Results Day 2020 - All you need to know (for now!)
GCSE Results Day 2020 is finally upon us! We thought it might be helpful to share some top tips to help you to navigate the day.
A Level results day – how to prepare and what to expect?
With A level Results day almost upon us, here is a helpful guide to ensure you are appropriately prepared. This is an exceptional year, what with the cancellation of examinations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and it is therefore very important that students are aware of what options are available to them.
Overview of the UK Independent Education System
The UK education system can be confusing, especially for international families whose children are being educated elsewhere. This blog aims to give an overview of the system and to define the key terms you might see when conducting research. Before reading the rest of the blog do take a look at our Educational Roadmap linked here, which will allow you to determine which UK school year your child is in. The age cut-off date is September 1st in the UK – e.g.
