13 Plus Exam Guide

If your child is aiming for a place at a selective independent school, the 13 plus exam is one of the most significant milestones they will face.  This guide covers everything parents will need to know. From what the exam involves and when it takes place, to how your child can best prepare. You’ll also find out how Dukes Tutoring’s specialist 13 Plus support can give your child the edge they need to secure the offer they deserve.  

What is the 13 Plus exam?  

The 13 Plus exams are selective entrance exams for children aged 12-13 who are seeking admission to senior independent schools in the UK. The exams are designed to see if whether a child meets the academic standard required for entry into a selective independent school at Year 9. They assess a child’s ability across broad range of subjects.  

Which schools require the 13 Plus exam?  

The 13 Plus exam is used by a wide range of highly regarded independent schools across England. Many of the most well-known names in British independent education use 13 Plus exam to admit pupils.  Some of these include: 

• Eton College  

• Harrow School  

• Winchester College  

• Westminster School 

• St Paul’s School  

• Cheltenham Ladies’ College  

• Charterhouse  

• King’s College School 

Some schools operate their own unique entrance exams, while others use the Common Entrance examination as their primary assessment tool. At Dukes Tutoring, our 13 Plus tutors are familiar with the requirements of leading schools across the country and will tailor your child’s preparation, accordingly, ensuring they are practising the right papers and building the right skills for their specific target schools.   

What is the Common Entrance exam?  

The Common Entrance exam is a standardised set of examinations administered by the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB). Many independent schools use the Common Entrance at 13 Plus as part of their admissions process, either as their sole assessment or alongside their own papers.  

Common Entrance papers are sat at the candidate’s current school and then marked by the senior school your child is applying to. Each school sets its own pass mark, so what constitutes a successful performance will differ depending on where your child is applying. The Common Entrance exam covers a broad range of subjects and is intended to assess academic readiness for senior school study.  

When is the 13 Plus exam?  

It is essential to understand the timeline for the 13 Plus exam, as the process begins much earlier than parents often expect. The road to Year 9 entry begins in Year 6 or even earlier for some schools.  

Registration 

Registration deadlines vary school to school, however many of the oversubscribed independent schools require registration by the time a child is in Year 6 or earlier. For instance, if you want to get into Eton, then you’ll (usually) need to register your son by the end of Year 5. Missing a registration deadline can result in your child losing the opportunity to apply entirely, so it is vital to research your target schools well in advance and submit applications as early as possible.  

Our school admissions consultants at Dukes Tutoring can help you navigate this stage, advising on the right schools for your child, managing registration timelines, and ensuring nothing is missed during what can be a complex process.  

Pre-Tests 

Many selective schools now require your child to sit a pre-test, such as the ISEB Common Pre-Test, in Year 6 or 7. These pre-tests are typically computer based and assess verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics.  

The purpose of these pre-tests is to give a school an early indication of your child’s potential. At some schools, a successful pre-test result can earn your child a conditional offer, which is then confirmed following the formal 13 Plus exam. At other schools, especially the most prestigious and selective schools like Eton and Harrow, the pre-test is the first step in the application process, and children who perform well will then have to take a second assessment in Year 6 or 7 before being made a conditional offer. 

 Failing to prepare adequately for a pre-test can result can close the door to a school before the main exam process even begins. Dukes Tutoring offers specialist pre-test preparation, from experienced tutors who know what your child’s target schools are looking for. Our tutors will ensure your child is fully prepared and confident on the day.  

13 Plus  

The formal 13 Plus exam, including the Common Entrance exam are typically sat in the spring of Year 8. For Common Entrance, exams usually take place in May or June. However, some schools run their own exams at different points throughout the academic year. So again, it is essential to do your research and confirm exact dates with each school directly.  

Which subjects are tested?  

The subjects tested during the 13 Plus exam depend on the school and type of examination being sat. for Common Entrance exams, candidates are typically assed on the following subjects.  

• English (including comprehension, writing and literature) 

• Mathematics  

• Science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) 

• History  

• Geography  

• Religious Studies  

• Modern Foreign Languages 

• Latin or Classical Greek (for some schools)  

Not all the subjects listed above are compulsory at every school. Many schools only require the core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science). It is important to check exactly which subjects are required or recommended for each school you’re applying for.   

Interview 

Many selective schools also include an interview as part of the 13 Plus admissions process. The interview gives the school an opportunity to assess your child’s personality, enthusiasm for learning, overall suitability for school life beyond purely academic results.  

Interviews vary in their format. Some are conversational and relatively informal, while others can be more structured. They are typically held 1-1 (rather than in a group) with a senior teacher or housemaster at the school. Your child’s target school should give you some idea of what to expect in advance. Your child may be asked about their interests, their reading habits, current affairs, or to discuss a topic at short notice. 

 Preparing thoroughly for the interview stage is just as important as preparing for the written papers, and many families have benefited greatly from working with our experienced interview preparation tutors who specialise in helping candidates feel confident, articulate, and ready. At Dukes Tutoring interview preparation is treated as an essential part of the 13 Plus process, not an afterthought.   

13 Plus exam preparation   

Preparing for the 13 Plus exam is a long-term process. Because the exam draws in material studied throughout prep school, it is never too early to start. However, most families begin structured preparation in Year 6 and 7, intensifying their efforts in the run up to the exams in Year 8.  

Effective 13 Plus exam preparation typically includes:  

• Regular, sustained revision across all required subjects.  

• Practising past papers and understanding mark schemes.  

• Developing strong time management and exam technique.  

• Building subject knowledge in areas of weakness 

• Practising extended writing and essay structure  

• Preparing for the interview with mock sessions and feedback 

A child who is well prepared not only has the subject knowledge to succeed, they have the confidence and composure to perform under pressure. This combination is what Dukes Tutoring works to develop in every child we support.  

Tutoring 

Many families choose to work with a specialist 13 Plus tutor to give their child the best possible chance of securing a place at their first-choice school. A good quality tutor offers your child far more than subject knowledge, they provide structure, accountability, targeted feedback, and invaluable exam technique.  

At Dukes Tutoring, our 13 Plus exam tutors are experienced in preparing pupils for both Common Entrance exams and school specific exams across the full range of subjects. We work closely with each family to understand their target schools and build a personalised preparation plan that addresses your child’s individual strengths and areas that require development.  

We offer 13 Plus tutoring in two formats:  

• In person tutoring at your home within London and the surrounding areas.  

• Online tutoring, available anywhere in the world.   

We also offer specialist support for the interview stage through our interview preparation tutors, as well as broader guidance from our school admissions consultants, which can help you navigate the entire 13 Plus exam journey with confidence.  

Enquire about 13 Plus exam tutoring today and find out how Dukes Tutoring can support your child from the first pre-test all the way to a senior school offer.  

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