Navigating 13+ Entry to Harrow School
Harrow School is one of the original seven public schools regulated by the Public Schools Act 1868. It was founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter granted by Elizabeth I. It is a full boarding school for boys ranging from ages 13 to 18. Over the years, Harrow has obtained a prestigious status with honorable alumni such as Winston Churchill, actor Benedict Cumberbatch and singer/songwriter James Blunt.
Application to 13+ Entry
As for most schools, families who apply are advised to visit the school in person to understand what the school offers and ask questions directly.
Open Mornings is offered by Harrow, which includes a tour of the school and boarding house.
Events such as these are recommended for pupils in Year 4 or above.
Registration for Year 9 begins with the completion of an online registration form, which can be found here. Further, a non-refundable registration fee is required of £350 and a confidential reference from the applicant’s current school at the end of Year 5.
Additional information on Year 9 entry, including applicants for international students, scholarships and bursaries, exams and important deadlines, can be found on the Harrow website.
Year 9 Assessments
Applicants are expected to write the ISEB Common Pretest between October and the end of the fall term in Year 6. This test covers Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, English, and Maths and is age-standardized so that no student has an advantage over another. The strongest applicants will be invited to meet Harrow’s House Masters.
Further, candidates who pass the ISEB will be invited to Harrow to complete the Harrow Test in the fall term of Year 7. This test includes two 15-minute interviews, an online predictive test to examine skills in English and Maths, and a written essay. This exam is similar to CEM Select, which covers Verbal, Non-Verbal and Numerical Reasoning.
Preparation for Assessments
Preparation is key to a student's success on the ISEB Pretest. For some students, this exam is their first time experiencing a testing environment, and it can be stressful. Practising is an effective way to improve skills and increase confidence. It is recommended parents create a study timetable that covers: verbal and non-verbal reasoning, English and Maths.
Practice tests and courses can help students familiarize themselves with question types, exam environments, time management, etc.
For practice, Pretest Plus has given multiple practice tests, video courses, and skills practice to help students do their best.
Practice Tests
Video Courses
Skills Practice