Which Schools Use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?

The ISEB Common Pre-Test is used by leading independent senior schools, including Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey, Benenden, Charterhouse, Tonbridge, Wellington College and Radley. The latest published 2026 list names 58 schools. ISEB does not publish a full school list on its family pages, so always confirm with the school's own admissions page before you plan. 

Is your child aiming for an independent senior school, and you keep hearing about the ISEB Common Pre-Test? Here is a simple guide to which schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Test, with a full 2026 list, how to double-check your own school, and what to do next. 

Which schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Test in 2026? Full list

Here are the independent schools named on the latest published 2026 list of ISEB Common Pre-Test schools. 

58 schools on the 2026 list

1. Ampleforth College

2. Bedford School

3. Benenden School

4. Berkhamsted Senior School

5. Birkdale School

6. Bloxham School

7. Bradfield College

8. Brentwood School

9. Brighton College

10. Caterham School

11. Charterhouse

12. Cranleigh School

13. Downe House School

14. Eaton Square Upper School

15. Eton College

16. Fulham Senior School

17. Harrodian Senior School

18. Harrow School

19. Hoe Bridge School

20. Holmwood House Senior School

21. Hurstpierpoint College

22. James Allen's Girls' School

23. Kew House School

24. King Edward's School Witley

25. King's School Canterbury

26. King's School Rochester

27. Lady Eleanor Holles

28. Lancing College

29. Maida Vale School

30. Marlborough College

31. New Hall School

32. Oratory School

33. Palmers Green High School

34. Pangbourne College

35. Radley College

36. Reed's School

37. Royal Grammar School Guildford

38. Royal Hospital School

39. Seaford College

40. Sevenoaks School

41. St Albans High School

42. St Dunstan's College

43. St Edward's School

44. St John's Leatherhead

45. St Paul's School

46. St Swithun's School

47. Stowe School

48. Streatham & Clapham High School

49. Sutton Valence School

50. Tonbridge School

51. Tormead School

52. Tranby

53. Walthamstow Hall

54. Wellington College

55. Westminster School

56. Winchester College

57. Woldingham

58. Wycombe Abbey

Please read this before you rely on the list. ISEB's own family pages do not list every school that uses the Pre-Tests. This list comes from a published 2026 list, but schools can change their tests from year to year, so always check your target school's admissions page. 

Which entry points use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?

ISEB says the Pre-Tests are used by leading independent schools for Year 7 entry, or for delayed entry in Year 9. Most children take the tests once in Year 6 for Year 7 entry, which is often called the 11+.

ISEB also says that some senior schools, such as Eton and Harrow, use the Pre-Tests as a first step towards Year 9 entry, which is often called the 13+. So a child in Year 6 may sit the Pre-Test even if they are aiming for a school that they will join later.

How to check if your school uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test

1. Read the school's admissions page

Most schools say clearly which test they use, and which year groups it is for. Look for words like "ISEB Pre-Test" or "Common Pre-Test". 

2. Email or ring the admissions office

This is the safest way. Ask which test is needed, which entry year it is for, and what the deadline is. 

3. Ask your child's current school or invigilation centre

Many primary and prep schools already help families with the Pre-Tests, and the invigilation centre can tell you your child's test dates. 

4. Contact ISEB if you are stuck

ISEB has a Pre-Tests support portal for families, so you can ask questions about registering and testing. 

ISEB Pre-Test dates for 2027 entry

Children who sit the Pre-Tests in the 2026 to 2027 session, usually in Year 6, are aiming for Year 7 entry in September 2027. Here are the official ISEB dates.

How the ISEB Common Pre-Test works

Here are the simple, official facts from ISEB about the Pre-Tests.

• Four online tests: English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. They take 2 hours 15 minutes in total.

• Adaptive: The questions change depending on how your child answers, so children do not waste time on questions that are far too easy or too hard.

• Shared: Your child sits the tests once, and every senior school that needs the result can see it.

• Age standardised: Results are adjusted for age, so younger children are not at a disadvantage.

If you would like a deeper look at the subjects, scoring and format, read our full guide to the ISEB Common Pre-Test.

Do all independent schools use the ISEB Pre-Test?

No. This is a very common mix up. Many independent schools use other tests instead, such as Quest Assessments, CAT4, Common Entrance or their own entrance exams. Some use more than one test for different entry points.

State grammar schools mostly use other providers too, such as GL Assessment. So if your child is applying to a mix of schools, you may need to prepare for more than one test format. Check each school one by one.

Final thoughts

Knowing which schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Test is a helpful first step, but it is only the start. Lists online are a very good guide, and the schools on the 2026 list include some of the best known names in the country. Even so, no list is perfect, and schools can change their tests. The most reliable answer will always come from the school's own admissions page or office.

Whichever schools are on your list, the best thing you can give your child is steady, calm practice and a lot of encouragement. At Pass 11 Plus Grammar, we are always here to help your family feel clear and confident along the way.