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©ISEB 2010
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS
NOTES FOR GUIDANCE ON THE COMMON ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS
The current syllabuses can be downloaded here.
The core subjects - English, Mathematics and Science - are compulsory. In addition, it is hoped that candidates will attempt papers in a wide range of subjects chosen from French, Geography, German, Greek, History, Latin, Religious Studies and Spanish. Usually senior schools expect the majority of candidates to offer Geography, History, Religious Studies and a language. The Common Entrance examination, however, is flexible enough to allow candidates from schools which do not prepare pupils for the traditional range of Common Entrance subjects to offer a reduced number of papers. Additionally, weaker candidates are not expected to tackle papers beyond their ability.
If there is any doubt about the choice of level, it is emphasised that junior schools should contact senior schools. Senior schools may, if they wish, state which level they prefer in Mathematics. In some circumstances it could be a matter of negotiation between the relevant junior and senior schools.
ENTERING CANDIDATES
Registration for Common Entrance and Common Academic Scholarship is done on line. Go to www.iseb.co.uk/benson_web and follow the on-screen instructions. Your school will have an account number and a password.
The name of the candidate's chosen senior school is selected from a drop-down list and there is also an option to enter a candidate for a 'trial run' examination. 11+ schools which have internal candidates should contact the ISEB office as these can not be registered on line.
You can register candidates, delete them and amend any details. You can do this at any time before the examination closing date, i.e. 1 December for the 11+ and 13+ spring examinations and 1 March for the 13+ summer examinations.
The closing dates for senior schools to enter candidates for the Common Academic Scholarship are 1 February for the spring examinations and 1 April for the summer examinations.
You can view lists at any time. You might like to check regularly in order to ensure that your list is correct and up to date. If you have changes after the closing date, please send them by e-mail to enquiries@iseb.co.uk or fax to +44 (0)1202 473728.
There is a late penalty (£50 per candidate) for new or amended entries received one week or more after the closing dates. There is no penalty for the late withdrawal of candidates who have been awaiting results from other schools.
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SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATES
If candidates are to sit the Common Academic Scholarship Examination set by the Independent Schools Examinations Board, they will be entered on line by the relevant senior school. Normally, they will take the examination at the senior school.
Some senior schools select their scholars from candidates who sit Common Entrance in the spring term. These candidates will be entered for Common Entrance in the usual way.
COURSEWORK
Submission dates for coursework are as follows:
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geography fieldwork: 14 January (spring CE); 15 March (summer CE)
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religious studies coursework: 14 January (spring CE); 15 March (summer CE)
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ICT Certificate of Achievement coursework: 15 March
If you do not have Microsoft Word 2000 or higher on your machine, you may use the Microsoft Word Viewer to view Word files. You can download the Microsoft Word Viewer free of charge.
SpLD CANDIDATES
Schools which have candidates with any specific learning difficulty should contact the relevant senior school to discuss how much extra time each candidate needs to complete Common Entrance papers. In addition, they should send to the senior school a report from an appropriately qualified psychologist, updated where necessary by the school SENCO, together with the candidate’s latest IEP, or evidence of individual learning support provision, and the ISEB special needs report. It is essential that requests for extra time are made at least three months in advance of the examination period; this time scale also applies to the submission of reports.
Computers may be used by candidates certified as having specific learning difficulties. In exceptional cases, schools may provide a reader or an amanuensis. For visually-impaired candidates the Board will arrange for enlarged or Braille copies of the examination papers to be printed; a year’s notice is required.
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INTERNATIONAL CANDIDATES
Common Entrance candidates whose mother tongue is not English are allowed to use bilingual dictionaries in Mathematics, Science and Humanities. They are also allowed up to 25% extra time if they have studied in the medium of English for less than two years.
EXAMINATION SCRIPTS
Examination centres are reminded that all scripts should be sent to senior schools on the day of the examination. They should be dispatched to ensure that they arrive the following morning, by special delivery if necessary. It is essential that senior schools start marking as soon as possible in order to meet the tight deadlines for the publication of results.
EXAMINATION RESULTS
Results are sent to schools in the week following the examination week. They are announced on the Thursday for the 13+ examination and on the Friday for the 11+. Senior schools are reminded that they must adhere to this timetable; it is not fair to keep candidates waiting for their results after the agreed date. In the case of failures, it is helpful if junior schools are informed in advance so that they can negotiate a positive outcome with a second-choice school. Junior schools should not divulge results before the agreed date.
Scripts should be assessed by grades. Where there is a choice of paper or level, a clear indication of which paper taken by each candidate should be given, e.g. Paper 1: A; Paper 2: B. Senior schools are reminded that all grades should be available at all levels.
Senior schools are asked to send to junior school heads an overall report on their candidates’ performance. Junior school heads appreciate general comments on each subject. They are also invited to send copies of their reports to the General Secretary at the ISEB offices because the setters always appreciate feedback on how candidates tackled questions in the papers.
ORDERING PAST PAPERS
Each term, schools are able to order in advance the next round of papers, supplied either in CD format or as paper copies. Orders are dispatched immediately after the examination period, provided that the advance order has been completed on line by the prescribed date. The dates for receipt of these orders are as follows:
Autumn 11+ and 13+ Practice Papers - first week in November
Spring 11+, 13+ CE Papers - end of January
Spring 13+ Scholarship Papers - end of February/beginning of March
Summer 13+ CE and Scholarship Papers - first week in June