Eton is one of the United Kingdom’s best known and most prestigious independent schools, founded in 1440 AD by King Henry VI, and famous for having educated many British politicians, scientists, and creative talents. As such, the process of securing a place is highly competitive.
Keystone have collated the answers to many commonly asked questions about applying to Eton in the article below, including some first hand insights from Josh Pull, a Keystone Director and former Old Etonian.
What are the different entry points for Eton?
Eton have two entrance points:
- 13 Plus Entrance: Students start in Year 9, when they are typically 13 turning 14 years old. The assessment procedure for Year 9 entry starts 2 years early in Year 6.
- 16 Plus Entrance: Students start in year 12, the first year of Sixth Form, when they are typically 16 turning 17 years old. The assessment procedure for Year 12 entry takes place in October/November of the year prior to them joining the school.
Is there an entrance exam for Eton?
Yes, as an academically selective school Eton uses entrance exams to select which boys are suitable to gain a place. They use a 3 stage process, with boys being selected to move to the next stage based on their relative performance. The first two stages occur when the applicant is in year 6 after which conditional offers are made. Thereafter applicants will take the Common Entrance or Eton Scholarship in year 8.
Stage 1 is the ISEB Common Pre-Test, which is a computerised test, sat during October or November in year 6, consisting of English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Read more about the ISEB Common Pre-Tests
Stage 2 is Eton’s own test, also sat in year 6 and has two parts: an online test designed to assess a boy’s potential, and an interview.
Boys who are successful at Stage 1 come to Eton for assessment in the following age groups:
- Boys for whom significant financial aid is requested will be assessed in mid-January
- Boys with birthdays between September and the first half of December will be assessed in late January/early February
- Boys with birthdays between the second half of December and March will be assessed in late February/early March
- Boys with birthdays between April and August will be assessed in late April/early May
The assessment will consist of an individual interview and an online predictive test of academic ability and potential on a computer (minimal IT skills required).
Eton publish results for each of the above groups in March, May and July respectively, taking into account all aspects of each application.
If successful at Stage 2 a conditional offer is made and the final assessment stage takes place in Year 8 which depending on circumstances will be one of the Common Entrance, King’s Scholarship, or Eton’s own entrance examinations. Alternatively a boy may be placed on the waiting list and will be re-tested at the end of Year 7.
Eton Waiting List
Eton offers some boys a Waiting List Place and, if they accept, invites them to come back to Eton in the Summer term of UK School Year 7 for a further assessment. Each year they accept a number of boys on the Waiting List into the school; the number varies from year to year.
What is the Eton List Test?
The Eton List Test is Eton's own test which is sat in Year 6 and is taken following the ISEB Common Pre-Test.
The Eton List Test is a computerised test designed to assess a boy’s potential. The test is online and is designed to be predictive of a boy’s academic potential. Little is known about the exact composition of the Eton List Test but anecdotally it seemingly assesses similar areas to other pre-tests such as the ISEB Pre-Test.
What is the acceptance rate for Eton?
Eton do not publish any admissions data to allow for an accurate answer to this question. However, anecdotally we know that both 13 Plus and 16 Plus entrances are extremely competitive.
At 13 Plus Eton has around 240 places and usually receives over 1,300 applications.
At 16 Plus Eton offers around 4 places each year and usually receives well over 75+ applications.
How do you prepare for the Eton List test?
The Eton List Test is probably the most renowned school specific computerised test. Rather than using an online computerised Pre-Test designed by the likes of the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (I.e. CEM) of GL Assessment Eton’s List Test has reportedly been developed in conjunction with Cambridge University’s Psychometric Centre which is a part of the Judge Business School.
The test is online and is designed to be predictive of a boy’s academic potential. Little is known about the exact composition of the test but anecdotally it seemingly assesses similar areas to other pre-tests such as the ISEB Pre-Test. Recent candidates report tackling questions on the following:
English: Corrective grammar exercises, cloze procedure, and an open-ended comprehension question requiring students to type a response.
Maths: Especially challenging word problems, often requiring the assimilation of multiple pieces of information.
Reasoning: Logic and lateral thinking questions testing spatial and non-verbal reasoning.
In terms of skills, Eton suggest a low level of computer proficiency is required, but we would recommend that boys familiar with the process of answering questions online, using a mouse as well as typing up a response. It is also important that students are comfortable following on-screen instructions.
Both the ISEB Common Pre-Test and the Eton List Test are designed to determine a boy’s potential by testing their cognitive and reasoning abilities. Being able to work quickly and accurately under time conditions are key to delivering a successful performance in these tests.
Are there any past papers for the Eton Entrance exam?
In short, no! However, for Stage 1: The ISEB Pre-Test whilst there are no practice tests available but there is a familiarisation test. Unfortunately, in the case of Stage 2, the Eton List Test, the school do not provide any sort of practice assessment or familiarisation test.
Instead, we recommend students continue to familiarise themselves with challenges of online testing by engaging ‘little and often’ with the myriad of online 11 Plus preparation software available on the internet.
CAT4 Test Scores for Eton
UK independent Prep Schools also use the CAT4 tests as a data point (alongside qualitative and quantitative in-school data) to guide Senior School conversations with parents. This is because of its similarity to the existing Pre-Tests. There is not a definitive ‘good score’, but it is fair to expect students considering Eton to be scoring well above average given the competitiveness of the admissions process. The CAT4 produces two scores, a National Percentage Rank or NPR and a Standard Age Score or SAS. SAS scores range from 69 to 141, and the average for each age group sits at 100, although this does range from 89-111.
Read more in our Guide to the CAT4 test.
What questions do they ask at interview for Eton?
Eton’s interview is famously short, often no more than 15 minutes. Many students approach school entrance interviews with an amount of trepidation, concerned about saying the wrong thing and being asked obscure questions. Our experience is that the interview is fairly standard in that it ask students about their:
- Family (Tell me about your family …)
- Current School (What do you most enjoy about your current school?)
- Academic Interests (What is your favourite subject? What are your reading?)
- Extracurricular Interests (What do you get involved in outside of the classroom at school?)
They have also been known to ask ‘Why Eton?’, ‘How do you hope to contribute at Eton?’ and to assess boy’s keenness to board, especially if he is applying from a day school.
Successful candidates at interview readily engage with the questioning and provide well consider answers. Authenticity is also key; schools like Eton are especially alert to and weary of a polished answer. In addition, other common pitfalls include:
- Not listening carefully enough to the question asked
- Rushing into answer without thinking it through
- Saying things they think interviewers wish to hear
Because of the brevity of the interview it is really important to avoid the pitfalls above as there is little time to make a good impression.
Can you get a scholarship for Eton?
Yes, Eton offers scholarships for talented boys, however, these do not automatically come with any reduction of fees. Eton does offer (often significant) fee reductions via bursaries which are means-tested based on the family situation. At 13 Plus the most well-known scholarship is the King’s Scholarship which started in 1440 and is designed for academically very able boys. The examinations are challenging and boys sit 8 academic exam papers which include English, Maths, Science, Humanities and Languages. Additionally, there are Music scholarships for talented musicians to audition for. At 16+ the only scholarships available are for boys currently educated in the state system. These include the Orwell Award for all-round excellence and there is a Music and Drama award too.
There is also the New Foundation Scholarship which is awarded to boys who are outstanding academically and who were educated in a primary state school.
What is the Eton Kings Scholarship?
Each year Eton award between 12-14 King’s Scholarships. The King’s Scholarship examinations are sat in late April/early May when a boy is in Year 8.
The King’s scholarship itself is one of the most academically challenging of those offered by UK independent schools. The papers are largely based on the Common Entrance syllabus but go well beyond it in the level of analytical response required.
Boys must sit the following exams:
- English
- Creative Writing
- Mathematics A
- Science
- General Paper I
And in addition, they then must opt to sit 3 further examinations from the following choices and at
- French
- Greek
- General II
- History-Geography-Divinity
- Latin
- Mathematics B.
There are a essentially 3 outcomes for those who decide to go for the scholarship:
1. Being Awarded a King’s Scholarship
2. Conditional Offer Holders: Those boys who hold a conditional offer (via the Year 6 Pre-Test admissions process) who deliver:
- A satisfactory performance but who are not awarded a King’s Scholarship are guaranteed entry in to Eton.
- An unsatisfactory performance in the King’s Scholarship may be asked to complete the 13+ Common Entrance in addition to the King’s Scholarship to guarantee their place at Eton.
3. Non-Offer Holders: Those boys who enter the King’s Scholarship without a conditional offer of a place at Eton who do not win a Scholarship will not be offer a place in the school.
Those boys who are awarded the King’s Scholarship will a place in College House (although boys who possess conditional offers can chose to sit for the King’. Scholarship but prefer to enter another (Oppidan) house). More detail on the King’s Scholarship can be found here, including the application timeline, subject syllabuses and past papers.
Is it hard to get into Eton college?
Eton College is a highly selective school and therefore the admissions process is designed to select academically able boys. Eton has around 240 places at 13+ and usually receive over 1,300 applications, so there is a lot of competition.
How hard is the Eton entrance exam?
The ISEB Common Pre-Tests and the Eton Test are both online adaptive tests. This means the questions get more difficult the better a candidate does which increases their Standardised Age Score (SAS). As Eton is highly selective, the successful candidates will have a SAS score well above average and will have faced the more difficult questions in the tests.
Eton Leavers Destinations
Most Etonians go on to higher education. Historically Eton have not published the university destinations of their leavers, but as of 2020 they have become more open; 41 students went on to Oxbridge and 39 boys received offers from US universities, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Brown and Dartmouth in 2021/22. The remainder won places at top UK universities including Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, Imperial and UCL. What is still less well known is if there are any trends in the courses Etonians typically go onto study. In 2020 5 students went on to study medicine.
Roughly a third of each year take a year out or GAP Year to travel, volunteer or work, whilst the majority head straight to university. Eton, like a number of other independent schools, have experienced an increase in the number of students considering overseas universities, especially in the US, and consequently have a well-established programme of support run by US university specialist to ensure interested boys are appropriately supported..
Top tips to prepare for entry to Eton
In preparation for entry to Eton, it is important to navigate the school's highly academic and competitive landscape while showcasing a well-rounded profile.
- Strive for academic excellence by excelling in standardised tests and entrance exams, demonstrating a deep understanding of the curriculum.
- Take part in a diverse range of extra-curricular activities that highlight not only intellectual prowess but also a genuine passion for various subjects as well as showcasing leadership skills.
- Practise effective communication and interpersonal skills, as interviews are part of the admission process.
- Recognise the intensity of the competition for admission and set yourself apart through exceptional academic achievements, a strong work ethic, and active participation in intellectually stimulating projects or competitions
- Familiarise yourself with the school's traditions and values by seeking guidance from current or former Eton students, attending open days, and staying informed about any specific changes at the school.
Remember, Eton values not just excellent academic achievement but also personal qualities such as leadership, critical thinking, and a commitment to the broader community.
How many Eton Students go to Oxbridge?
In 2020 41 boys accepted places at Oxford and Cambridge. In 2021, 48 students were offered places.
Josh Pull, Keystone Director and old Etonian gives his insights into the history behind the Eton list test:
"When I applied to Eton in the mid-1990s many students didn’t have to sit the Eton list test in year 6 (instead only taking Common Entrance or the Eton Scholarship in year 8). Some applicants, including myself, did have to sit the Eton list test before getting a conditional offer, subject to passing Common Entrance. It was always something of a mystery to me as to which children had to sit the list test and which did not, and it was something of a lottery depending on when you were born and how many other applicants there were born at the same time.
Nowadays of course all applicants have to sit the test to ensure the application process is the same for everyone and to help narrow down higher volumes of candidates as applications began to increase in the late 1990s/early 2000s.
The assessment itself, interestingly given that it’s over 25 years ago, bares quite a bit of similarity to the test today. It combined a paper-based reasoning-type assessment that (you guessed it) was designed to assess underlying potential rather than prior knowledge as well as a short interview.
I still remember the interview itself and recall building up a good rapport with the interviewer. It was much more light-hearted and conversational as opposed to a formal interview. I think that still remains the case today: the interviewers are really looking to get to know who you are as a personality as opposed to test you or catch you out (which of course is more than sufficiently covered in the computerised tests!).
Hard as it is, do try to relax for the interview and see it as a chance for an interesting discussion rather than a part of the assessment process to be feared."
Tuition for The Eton List test
Each year Keystone supports many students preparing for school entrance exams, including The Eton List Test.
For more details on how Keystone can help with preparation for school entrance, please call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.
Read more about our Eton College Admissions Tutors.