The ISEB Common Pre-Test first (online, multiple choice, usually by November of Year 6), then the school’s own written English and maths papers in December or January, often with an interview. English usually includes a piece of writing.
At a glance
Subjects
Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, plus writing
Answers
Multiple choice and written answers
Usually held
November
Set by
The schools themselves
Schools
7
The papers
Stage
Paper
How it is answered
Prism practice paper
ISEB Pre-Test
Maths
Multiple choice, on screen
36 questions, 50 minutes
ISEB Pre-Test
English
Multiple choice, on screen
30 questions, 25 minutes
ISEB Pre-Test
Verbal Reasoning
Multiple choice, on screen
40 questions, 36 minutes
ISEB Pre-Test
Non-verbal Reasoning
Multiple choice, on screen
36 questions, 32 minutes
School papers
English (written)
Written answers
12 questions, 60 minutes
School papers
Maths (written)
Written answers
25 questions, 60 minutes
Test setters rarely publish how many questions a paper has, so the question counts are the length of Prism’s practice papers; timings follow the setter’s published guidance where there is any. Arrangements change from year to year: always check them with the school or local authority.
How to prepare for the ISEB + own papers
The ISEB Pre-Test, then the school’s own papers covers maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Most families start steady preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, building accuracy first and speed later, then sit timed papers through the summer before the test, which usually takes place in November.
For maths, secure the Key Stage 2 arithmetic, fractions, ratio and problem solving before moving to the multi-step questions that separate the strongest candidates.
For English, read widely every day and practise comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar; selective tests reward precise word knowledge.
Verbal reasoning is a set of learnable question types, such as letter codes, hidden words and word analogies. Learning each type, then practising it against the clock, lifts scores quickly.
Non-verbal reasoning is about spotting patterns in shapes: rotations, reflections, sequences and matrices. Short, regular sessions work better than long ones.
This test includes a piece of writing, so practise planning and writing a short story or description in a set time.
Some answers are written, not chosen, so practise without options to fall back on: write the number or the words yourself, show the working where the paper asks for it, and check each answer against the question.
The test is taken on a computer, and adaptive tests get harder as answers go right, so practise on screen and keep moving rather than stopping on one question.
Dev's old printer prints 0.529 pages a minute on average. A new printer is 100 times faster. How many pages a minute does the new printer print?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, 52.9
How to work it out
Multiplying by 100 moves every digit 2 places to the left: 0.529 × 100 = 52.9.
Why the other options are wrong
A (529): The digits moved one place too many.
C (0.00529): This divides by 100; faster means more pages, so multiply.
D (100.529): This adds 100 instead of multiplying.
E (5.29): The digits moved one place too few.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Rearrange the words to make a sentence. Which word is not needed?
saturday on swam seeds planted the in garden we
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, swam
How to work it out
The sentence is: “We planted seeds in the garden on Saturday.” “swam” has no place in it.
Why the other options are wrong
A (seeds): The sentence needs “seeds”. Without it you would be left with “We planted in the garden on Saturday.”
B (planted): The sentence needs “planted”. Without it you would be left with “We seeds in the garden on Saturday.”
C (saturday): The sentence needs “saturday”. Without it you would be left with “We planted seeds in the garden on.”
D (garden): The sentence needs “garden”. Without it you would be left with “We planted seeds in the on Saturday.”
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word is the odd one out?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, pigeon
How to work it out
The others are all vegetables; “pigeon” belongs with birds.
Why the other options are wrong
A (turnip): “turnip” is a vegetable, like most of the words here. The odd one out is “pigeon”, which belongs to a different group.
B (potato): “potato” is a vegetable, like most of the words here. The odd one out is “pigeon”, which belongs to a different group.
C (parsnip): “parsnip” is a vegetable, like most of the words here. The odd one out is “pigeon”, which belongs to a different group.
D (carrot): “carrot” is a vegetable, like most of the words here. The odd one out is “pigeon”, which belongs to a different group.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
The first figure changes into the second. Which option changes the third figure in the same way?
?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D
How to work it out
The figure is reflected (mirrored), and then gains two dots.
Apply both changes to the third figure.
Why the other options are wrong
A: This only makes the second change (the figure gains two dots) and misses the first (it is reflected).
B: This is the third figure unchanged, so neither of the two changes has been made.
C: This reflects the figure one time too many, which cancels the reflection that the rule needs.
E: This only makes the first change (the figure is reflected) and misses the second (it gains two dots).
Questions parents ask
What subjects are in the ISEB + own papers?
The ISEB + own papers tests maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, and includes a piece of writing.
When is the ISEB + own papers?
The main test usually takes place in November of Year 6. Dates change each year, so always confirm them with the school or local authority.
How should my child prepare for the ISEB + own papers?
Build the core skills in Year 4 and 5, learn each question type, then practise timed papers in the ISEB + own papers format. Prism builds this plan automatically from a free starting assessment.
Find out where your child stands today
Practise straight away at your child’s school year in maths and English, with verbal and non-verbal reasoning for the 11 Plus, and every answer explained. A free check, whenever you like, shows what to practise next and builds a weekly plan, for their year or for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.