What are the Admission Requirements for Cranleigh School?

For 11+ entry in September 2027, families register with Cranleigh and pay a registration fee. Year 6 children then sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test at their own school in October or November. Next comes an assessment day at Cranleigh, which includes an interview. Offers are made within a few weeks, and families accept by paying a deposit. For this intake, 11+ entry is into Cranleigh Prep. From September 2028, Cranleigh Senior will take pupils at 11+ into a new Lower School for Years 7 and 8. 

Thinking about Cranleigh School in Surrey for your child at age 11? This guide explains the 11+ admission requirements. It also covers some big news: Cranleigh is changing how 11+ entry works from 2028. 

What are the admission requirements for Cranleigh School at 11+?

Cranleigh is a co-educational independent school in Cranleigh, Surrey. Many parents hope to find a simple list, like "your child needs a score of X". Cranleigh does not work like that. The school says its 11+ assessment looks at the whole child.

For 11+ entry, the main requirements are:

• Register your child and pay the registration fee.

• Sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test at your child's current school.

• Attend an assessment day at Cranleigh, which includes an interview.

• Accept the offer, if one is made, and pay the deposit.

The school also says that its assessment includes written academic papers, an interview and a day visit. There is no published pass mark. This guide covers 11+ entry only, so it does not cover 13+ or sixth form.

Cranleigh School 11+ entry is changing in 2028

This is the most important thing to know. On 1 October 2026, Cranleigh announced that its Senior School will accept pupils at age 11 from September 2028. Until now, the Senior School's main entry point was 13+.

The school has said that children who start Year 6 in September 2027 will be the first group to move up to Senior for Year 7. Because this is brand new, the detailed Senior 11+ process for 2028 entry was not yet published when we wrote this guide. Please check the Senior admissions page for the latest steps.

Who can apply for Cranleigh School 11+ entry?

Children apply for Year 7 while they are in Year 6. Cranleigh welcomes children from other schools, and it also takes children who are already at its own Prep. Here are the main facts from the school.

Cranleigh 11+ admissions process step by step

This is the process for Year 7 entry in September 2027, taken from Cranleigh Prep's own admissions page.

1. Visit the school

Go to an open morning, an admissions event or a personal tour. It helps your child see if Cranleigh feels right.

2. Register your child

Register online and pay the registration fee.

3. Sit the entry test

Year 6 pupils sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test at their own Prep School in October or November before entry.

4. Come to assessment day

The day includes a visit to Cranleigh and an interview, so the school can get to know your child as an individual.

5. Receive an offer

Offers are made within a few weeks of the assessment.

6. Accept the place

Accept your offer and pay a deposit to secure your child's place.

What is the ISEB Common Pre-Test for Cranleigh 11+?

The ISEB Common Pre-Test is a set of online tests used by many independent senior schools. Cranleigh uses it as the first stage of its 11+ process. According to the Independent Schools Examinations Board, the pre-tests have these features.

Because the test is adaptive, a tricky question does not mean your child is doing badly. It may simply mean the test has found the right level for them.

Cranleigh 11+ assessment day and interview

After the ISEB test, children are invited to an assessment day at Cranleigh. The school says the 11+ assessment looks at the whole child. It includes written academic papers, an interview and a day visit, so it can get to know each child as an individual.

The interview is not a test with right and wrong answers. It is a friendly chat. The school wants to find out what your child enjoys, how they think and how they might fit into the Cranleigh community.

Cranleigh 11+ scholarships, exhibitions and bursaries

Cranleigh offers help for families, and here is what the school says about Prep School entry at 11+.

Boarding and siblings at Cranleigh 11+

At Cranleigh Prep, children can board from Year 3, most often from Year 5, on an ad hoc, flexi or full basis. When Cranleigh Senior starts its 11+ entry in 2028, boarding will still be an option. Years 7 and 8 will return to the smaller Cranleigh Prep environment for the evenings.

On siblings, the school says that sibling applications are considered favourably where Cranleigh's academic standards are met. Discounts are available for the third and subsequent children attending the school.

Cranleigh 11+ dates to know right now

The right dates depend on which year group your child is in today.

Does your child need a tutor for Cranleigh 11+?

No tutor is required to apply to Cranleigh. Many children prepare well with reading, a calm routine and support at home. We want to be honest about this.

Still, many families like their child to feel comfortable with the style of the questions, especially verbal and non-verbal reasoning, and with answering on a screen without going back. A little steady practice can take away the fear of the unknown.

At Pass 11 Plus Grammar, our approach to 11 plus tuition builds the English, maths and reasoning skills that tests like the ISEB look for. We help children understand each topic, practise at a gentle pace and walk into assessments feeling relaxed. Our tuition is available online across the UK, so families in Surrey can use it too.

How to prepare for Cranleigh School 11+ admission

Since the ISEB test is adaptive, there are no fixed past papers for it. The best plan is to build strong skills in the four areas it tests, and practise in a relaxed way. Here are five ideas.

1. Start with something free

Try our 11+ free practice papers to see which topics feel easy and which need more time.

2. Practise the same skills

An adaptive test has no fixed past papers, but our 11+ past papers help children get used to the question styles and wording in English, maths and reasoning.

3. Get used to sitting a test

Our 11 plus mocks let children practise working calmly with a timer, so a real assessment feels familiar.

4. Use the summer well

The summer before Year 6 is a great chance to build skills without school pressure. Our 11 plus intensive summer course brings the key topics together in a focused, friendly way.

5. Practise talking about ideas

Chat at home about books, news and hobbies. Ask, "What do you think, and why?" It builds the confidence children need for the interview.

If you would like friendly advice, you can meet our 11 plus tutors in Birmingham, and we will happily talk through your options with no pressure.

Common mistakes to avoid

Final thoughts

The 11+ admission requirements for Cranleigh School come down to a few clear steps. Register, sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test in October or November of Year 6, attend the assessment day and interview, then accept an offer. Remember the big change: 11+ entry moves to Cranleigh Senior from September 2028, so check which route applies to your child's year group.

Read the school's own admissions pages, speak to the admissions team and keep your child calm and curious. At Pass 11 Plus Grammar, we are always here to help you plan the next step.