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, a number of subjects are offered at more than one level and 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, English and Science. 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 online. 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.

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 October for the 11+ and 13+ autumn examinations, 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 email 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.

Common Entrance Subject Codes Common Entrance Subject Codes
Senior School Codes Senior School Codes

SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATES

If candidates are to sit the Common Academic Scholarship Examination set by the Independent Schools Examinations Board, they will be entered online 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 autumn or spring term. These candidates will be entered for Common Entrance in the usual way.

COURSEWORK

Submission dates for coursework are as follows:
Geography Fieldwork Enquiry Assessment Geography Fieldwork Enquiry Assessment Geography Fieldwork Enquiry Assessment
Geography Fieldwork Enquiry Geography Fieldwork Enquiry Geography Fieldwork Enquiry
Religious Studies Syllabus A Coursework Religious Studies Syllabus A Coursework Religious Studies Syllabus A Coursework
Religious Studies Syllabus B Coursework Religious Studies Syllabus B Coursework Religious Studies Syllabus B Coursework
ICT Certificate of Achievement Coursework Form ICT Certificate of Achievement Coursework Form ICT Certificate of Achievement Coursework Form
ICT Certificate of Achievement Coursework Results Form ICT Certificate of Achievement Coursework Results Form ICT Certificate of Achievement Coursework Results Form
ICT Certificate of Achievement Skills Assessment Form ICT Certificate of Achievement Skills Assessment Form ICT Certificate of Achievement Skills Assessment Form

COMMON ENTRANCE DOCUMENTATION

11+ Regulations 11+ Regulations
11+ Note to Invigilators 11+ Note to Invigilators
13+ Regulations 13+ Regulations
13+ Note to Invigilators 13+ Note to Invigilators
ML Listening and Speaking Regulations ML Listening and Speaking Regulations
French Moderator's Report French Moderator's Report French Moderator's Report
French Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet French Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet French Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet
French Speaking Record Sheet French Speaking Record Sheet French Speaking Record Sheet
German Moderator's Report German Moderator's Report German Moderator's Report
German Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet German Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet German Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet
German Speaking Record Sheet German Speaking Record Sheet German Speaking Record Sheet
Spanish Moderator's Report Spanish Moderator's Report Spanish Moderator's Report
Spanish Level 1 Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet Spanish Level 1 Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet Spanish Level 1 Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet
Spanish Level 1 Speaking Record Sheet Spanish Level 1 Speaking Record Sheet Spanish Level 1 Speaking Record Sheet
Spanish Level 2 Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet Spanish Level 2 Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet Spanish Level 2 Speaking Examiner's Mark Sheet
Spanish Level 2 Speaking Record Sheet Spanish Level 2 Speaking Record Sheet Spanish Level 2 Speaking Record Sheet
Geography Moderator's Report Geography Moderator's Report Geography Moderator's Report

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 assessor, updated where necessary by the school SENCO, together with the candidate's latest IEP, or evidence of individual learning support provision. They should also send 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. There will be cost implications.

SpLD Report SpLD Report SpLD Report

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

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.

Results of the 11+ examinations should be available to junior schools by the Friday of the week following the examinations and before parents are informed on the Saturday. Heads of junior schools appreciate it if heads of senior schools contact them by telephone about failures by the Wednesday of the week following the examination.

Results of the 13+ examinations should be available to junior schools by the Thursday of the week following the examinations and before parents are informed on the Friday. Heads of junior schools appreciate it if heads of senior schools contact them by telephone about failures by the Tuesday of the week following the examination.

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 online by the prescribed date. Schools are always notified by email of these dates.
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