Webinar Recording: Year 7 Entry (11+) and Year 9 Entry (13+) Pre-Tests & Entrance Examinations
Keystone’s Managing Director, Ed Richardson, and Head of Consultancy, Harriet Brook, gave a clear and practical guide to the entrance examinations taken in Year 6 for both Year 7 (11+) and Year 9 (13+) entry.
Written by Keystone Tutors
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In recent years, many independent senior schools have incorporated ‘Pre-tests’ as an initial entry assessment for Year 7 and 9 entry. Pre-tests commonly form the first stage of the admissions process, and schools use them to identify the students who are most suitable to proceed to the next stage. Pre-tests can be administered in written form or on a computer, with the ISEB Common Pre-Test, CEM Test and the CAT 4 being the most widely used.
Many families are unclear about the different types of assessments used by selective schools, so the webinar explained how the admissions process works across both stages, including when schools use pre-tests (most commonly for 13+ entry, but increasingly for 11+ entry as well), and how these fit into the overall selection journey.
The session clarified what these assessments actually involve. While the terminology can differ between schools, pre-tests and standard 11+ entrance exams are often very similar in format and content, and understanding these similarities is key to effective preparation.
During the session, Ed and Harriet covered:
- The structure and purpose of 11+ and 13+ admissions processes
- How pre-tests are used within selective school entry
- What pupils can expect in Year 6 assessments (regardless of entry point)
- How to prepare effectively for both exam types
- When to begin preparation and how to approach school shortlisting
Whether families were just beginning to explore selective school entry or already preparing for assessments, the session helped them understand the landscape clearly and plan their child’s preparation with confidence.
Written by Keystone Tutors
We help families find exceptional tutors for every stage of their child's education; from primary and school entrance exams tuition through to GCSEs, A Levels, the IB and university admissions. Our unique model is built around full-time employed tutors and a highly personalised matching process, offering a level of quality, continuity and individual care that is rare in tutoring.
