There is no single national entrance exam for UK independent schools. Each school decides how it selects pupils, and many combine several elements: a reasoning test, English and maths papers, an interview and reports from the current school. For families abroad the mix can be confusing, so here is a plain guide to the tests you are most likely to meet.
The tests also differ by entry age; our article on 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry explains how the entry points work.
UKiset
UKiset is an assessment designed for entry to British curriculum schools. It was founded by Gabbitas in 2013 and developed with Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It is aimed at students aged 9.5 to 18 and looks at both academic potential and English. According to UKiset, it covers:
- vocabulary, mathematics and non-verbal reasoning
- English reading and listening, assessed through Cambridge's Linguaskill test, which reports a CEFR level
- a piece of creative writing
It can be taken online from home with remote invigilation, and approved test centres are available for those who need them. Results are normally processed within three working days, the full profile can be sent to up to five schools, results are valid for a year, and a student can retake the test after three months. Not every school uses UKiset, so check each school's requirements before booking.
ISEB Common Pre-Tests
The Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) runs the Common Pre-Tests: four online, adaptive assessments in maths, English (comprehension and grammar), verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Pupils usually take them in Year 6 or Year 7, between the autumn and spring terms, for Year 7 entry or deferred entry into Year 9. They are sat at an invigilation centre, which can be the child's current school in the UK or abroad, or an approved centre such as a British Council site. Pupils sit the tests once, and the results are shared with every school they have applied to.
Because the tests are adaptive, questions become harder or easier depending on earlier answers. Familiarity with the on-screen format helps; heavy cramming usually does not.
Common Entrance and scholarship papers
Common Entrance (CE) is ISEB's set of written exams taken at the end of prep school:
- 11+ CE, taken in Year 6 in November or January, with papers in English, maths and science, used mainly by senior independent girls' schools.
- 13+ CE, taken in Year 8 in November, January or May/June, with compulsory English, maths and science and optional papers in subjects such as history, geography, languages and classics.
- Common Academic Scholarship Examination (CASE) papers at 13+, set by ISEB but chosen and marked by the senior school, for pupils trying for academic scholarships.
Pupils at UK prep schools often follow the CE syllabus, while international applicants are more often assessed through a school's own papers. In May 2026 ISEB said it would consult schools on how Common Entrance develops, so confirm each school's requirements for your year of entry.
School tests, sixth-form papers and interviews
Many schools set their own assessments for international applicants, often online and sometimes sat at the applicant's current school. For 16+ entry, expect papers in the subjects your child plans to study, an English test and sometimes a short essay. Almost every school also interviews, usually by video for families abroad. Interviews are rarely about catching a child out: staff want to hear how your child thinks, what they enjoy and why they want to board.
Schools also ask for reports and a reference from the current school. Reports in Turkish will need translating, often by a certified translator, and this takes time. Our article on school records, translations and references covers the details.
Preparing sensibly
- Read widely in English every day: fiction, news written for young readers and non-fiction on subjects your child enjoys.
- Practise a few timed, on-screen tests so the format is not a surprise, without turning every weekend into test practice.
- Do mental maths regularly and talk through how problems were solved.
- Rehearse an interview-style conversation in English about school, hobbies, a recent book and current events.
- Tell schools early about any learning difference, so they can consider access arrangements.
- Keep one calendar of registration deadlines, test windows and interview dates for every school.
Over-prepared children can come across poorly in interviews and may struggle once they arrive. Schools want an accurate picture of your child, and an accurate picture leads to the right school.
How YES can help
We help you work out which tests each shortlisted school requires, when to book them and how your child can prepare calmly, in Turkish or English. Learn more about our boarding school service, or contact us with your child's age and planned start date.
Questions families ask
Is UKiset compulsory?
No. It is accepted by a network of independent schools, but each school sets its own requirements and some prefer their own tests or the ISEB Pre-Tests.
Can my child sit the ISEB Pre-Tests in Türkiye?
Pupils outside the UK can sit them at an approved invigilation centre, which can be their current school or a centre such as a British Council site. Check availability early, as sittings need to be arranged in advance.
How long are UKiset results valid?
UKiset says results are valid for one year, and a student can retake the test after three months.
