The Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) Common Pre-Tests are standardised measures of ability and attainment taken when students are in year 6 or occasionally in year 7. They can only be taken once in any academic year. The senior schools to which students apply register students for the ISEB Common Pre-Tests.
The adaptive tests are created for ISEB by GL assessment. Adaptive means that the test gets harder when the student answers questions correctly and easier when the student answers the questions incorrectly.
The ISEB Common Pre-Tests are computerised tests which comprise of four multiple-choice assessments: English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
The time allowed for each test is as follows:
- English | 25 minutes;
- Maths | 50 minutes;
- Verbal Reasoning | 36 minutes; and
- Non-Verbal Reasoning | 32 minutes.
