What You Need to Know About The 13+
The 13+ entrance exam is a challenging and competitive admissions exam required for the admissions of students in Year 7 and Year 8 by many top prep and independent schools in England. The 13+ entrance exam is a fiercely competitive process that requires professional guidance and tutoring in order to be a successful candidate. Here is what you need to know about the exam before commencing the admissions process.
What To Know
The 13+ Common Entrance exam is provided by the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB), and the test is taken on the same date by all pupils nationwide. Most schools use the 11+ exam as the standard admissions test. However, some independent girls’ schools require their own examinations.
Students will take the 13+ exam either in the autumn, spring or, most commonly, in the summer. The three mandatory subjects covered in the test are English, math, and science. However, children may also be required to take tests over additional subjects such as history, geography, or a variety of languages. The exam will take place in a four-day period, with each test varying from 40 minutes to 75 minutes.
There are also two to three different levels of the test that are available. Certain schools may require a good mark on the highest level of exam, while others will accept a level one or two. Be sure to thoroughly research the requirements of your preferred school so that you are aware of the demands. Your child’s test will be evaluated by the prospective senior school that it was sent to, based on their individual criteria. From there, if not admitted, they will be sent to their second choice school to be evaluated there.
Registration
It is important to know the registration process for the 13+ exam, as it can vary by situation. If your child is enrolled in a prep school that already relies on the common exams for admissions, they will most likely be registered for the exam by their schools, where they will also take the exam. Students at state and independent schools must be registered online by a parent or guardian, and they will also have to arrange where they will take the exam. There is a registration fee of £110 for the common entrance exam.
Pre-Test
Your child will need to be registered at their preferred school anywhere from one to four years before they start there. In November of Year 6, your child will be required to take a pre-test somewhere between one and three years before the 13+ exam. If your child successfully passes the pre-test to the desired school’s standards, then they will receive an offer conditional on their achievement on the 13+ exam.
Most schools use the ISEB Common Pretest, which is an online test that covers English, math, and reasoning. The pre-test is usually taken at your child’s prep school, which will also determine whether the pre-test will be taken in one sitting or multiple sittings. The pre-test is only taken once, and the results will be shared with all of the potential senior schools that your child applied to.
Preparation
Students should be adequately prepared to display their skills and subject knowledge, as well as apply what they have learned in the form of evaluation, interpretation, and analysis. Preparation should begin quite early and should thoroughly prepare your child for all of the topics they will be tested on. Some subjects, such as verbal and non-verbal reasoning, are not taught in school and will require extra studying outside of class and often need extra help from a tutor.
The exam will cover topics that may not have yet been covered in class. Due to this gap, it is important that your child asks their teacher what remaining topics for the year will be on the 13+ exam so that they can prepare appropriately. However, not all of the subjects will be tested in one paper. The math exams consist of three papers that focus on mental arithmetic, a non-calculator paper and a calculator paper. The English portion will consist of prose and poetry comprehension as well as practical and creative writing. There are also three science papers, one for biology, physics, and chemistry. Other possible topics, such as geography and religious studies, often incorporate a coursework project. In order to succeed, your child will need to be well versed in all of those topics.
Revision Tips
The last month before the exam should be dedicated to revising material and not learning anything new. Reviewing for the exam can be an overwhelming and draining experience, so it is important to create a plan that will effectively prepare your child without overloading them. Create a schedule that allows for rest, relaxation, and revision. Revision sessions should be about 20 minutes long with rests in between. During times of rest, which should be about 5-10 minute breaks, ensure that your child is not consuming any media such as books or television, but is rather relaxing their mind and digesting the information they just learned. This will help your child feel refreshed and focused when returning to their work.
Another great way to review is by studying past exam papers and the contents of previous exams. Your child should also have completed a few mock exams to prepare and can revise those as well. Be well prepared with the proper revision and practice guides to ensure you are consuming the correct topics and information.
If your child is feeling reluctant to revise, remind them of the end goal and why they should be putting effort into preparing for the exam. Try reminding your child of the opportunities available at the prospective school, the activities they can get involved with, and the friends they will make. Some children may feel very anxious about the exam, which is completely normal. You can help ease their anxiety by establishing a routine and providing extra support and reassurance. Be sure to praise the effort they put in and not just their accomplishments in order to raise their confidence and motivation.
Remind your children that the golden rule when it comes to revision is to do a little at a time but to do it often Studies show that cramming last minute is an inefficient way to learn and does not allow the information to truly stick. Encourage your child to stay organized and stick to their revision plan in order to get the best results possible and make it all worthwhile.
Exam Day
On the exam day, make sure the only stressful part of it is the exam itself. Help them out with other potential stressors, such as packing their bag and gathering their belongings. Ensure that they eat a healthy breakfast and get a good night’s sleep the night before so as to perform their best. Remind your child to read through each question carefully and to thoroughly think through their answers.
Interviewing
If your child receives a certain score on the exam, they may be called back for an interview with the school. The purpose of this interview is to identify which students will make a suitable fit for the school due to their attitude, dedication to academics, and willingness to get involved. Interviews will vary from candidate to candidate, and from school to school. The main focus of an interview could be on a child’s hobbies and interests, or on their academic ability. Typically, the interviews are a blend of both academics and other interests. Sometimes, children will be interviewed in groups, so it’s best to prepare your child for both an individual and group setting.
Debate is a highly valued skill in these interviews. Your child should be able to confidently answer an opinion question, and be able to provide a solid argument to back it up. There are no right or wrong answers to an opinion question - the goal is solely to analyze their argumentative skills.
Your child should come to the interview prepared with examples of current or past readings that they enjoyed outside of school. A good piece of advice is to always assume that the interview is familiar with the readings they discuss, and not to lie about what they have read. Your child should go into the interview with a sense of honesty and confidence.
References
Almost every school will request a reference or report from your child’s current headteacher. The schools strongly take into consideration the teachers’ recommendation that your child is a good recommendation to be placed in their school, as your child will act as an example of the school’s reputation. The reference could make or break your child’s acceptance depending on what the headteacher writes, so it is a good idea to consult them on the schools they recommend applying to.
Tutoring
Most students will reach out to a professional to thoroughly prepare for the exam. It is highly advised to get an expert tutor who will know what to study, the best revision techniques, and know the 13+ exam inside and out in order to be up to par with the rest of the applicants. The Veda Group has private education specialists who are experts in tutoring and school placement. With a 100% acceptance rate at first-choice schools and a 100% client satisfaction rate, The Veda Group’s services are unrivaled. To learn more about school placement services, tutoring, or to book a free consultation, visit www.thevedagroup.com.