13+ Common Entrance, often shortened to CE, is a suite of examinations administered by the Independent Schools Examinations Board for entry to senior independent schools at age thirteen. Core subjects include English, Mathematics and Science, while optional papers can include French, Spanish, German, Latin, Greek, Geography, History and Theology, Philosophy and Religion. Most pupils sit Common Entrance in Year 8, in November, January or June, though many senior schools now use the ISEB Common Pre-Test in Year 6 or 7 as an earlier shortlist stage before final assessment at thirteen.
For parents working through the independent-school pathway, 13+ admissions can feel more complex than 11+ because there is no single national route. Some schools still rely heavily on Common Entrance, some use the Common Pre-Test followed by their own papers, and many operate a hybrid model that blends several forms of assessment.
Once the structure becomes clear, however, the system is much easier to understand. In broad terms, the Common Pre-Test helps schools identify likely candidates earlier in the prep-school journey, while Year 8 assessment, through CE or school-set papers, becomes the final academic gateway into senior school.
What 13+ Common Entrance Is
Common Entrance is designed as a common academic framework for pupils transferring from prep school to senior independent school at thirteen. It provides a standardised set of subject papers that senior schools can use to assess candidates in a broadly consistent way.
For generations, it was the dominant route into Britain’s leading boarding schools and many top day schools, and although admissions models have evolved, CE remains central to many prestigious pathways. The wider independent-school sector is represented nationally by the Independent Schools Council, and many of its member schools still operate 13+ routes shaped either directly or indirectly by Common Entrance expectations.
At its heart, Common Entrance is not a quick aptitude test. It is subject-based assessment built on what pupils have learned over time. That means success depends less on short bursts of exam drilling and much more on secure academic foundations developed steadily through Years 7 and 8.
Families comparing senior-school pathways may also find Selective independent schools in London useful when looking at how 13+ fits alongside 11+ and school-set admissions routes.
Common Entrance vs ISEB Common Pre-Test: How They Fit Together
One of the biggest parent misunderstandings is assuming the ISEB Common Pre-Test and Common Entrance are alternatives. In many cases, they are connected stages rather than competing routes.
The Common Pre-Test is typically taken in the autumn of Year 6, though some 13+ schools test in Year 7. It is computer-based, adaptive and designed to help senior schools shortlist pupils early. It assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, Mathematics and English (reading comprehension and grammar). Because it is adaptive, questions become harder or easier depending on performance, allowing schools to build a clearer picture of academic potential.
Common Entrance comes later, in Year 8, and is far more subject-specific. By that stage, pupils are no longer being assessed mainly for broad aptitude. They are being tested on developed knowledge, written accuracy, mathematical fluency and subject depth.
The Pre-Test often opens the door. Common Entrance, or equivalent school-set papers, often determines whether the offer is finally secured.
13+ Common Entrance vs Other 13+ Routes
| Assessment | Year sat | Format | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISEB Common Pre-Test | Year 6 (some schools Year 7) | Computer-based, adaptive | Early shortlist |
| 13+ Common Entrance | Year 8 (November, January or June) | Subject papers | Final academic assessment |
| School-set 13+ papers | Varies by school | School-written papers | Final school-specific assessment |
13+ Common Entrance Subjects and Papers
English
English is divided into two papers. One focuses on reading comprehension and language analysis, while the other centres on writing. Pupils may be asked to write descriptively, persuasively or analytically, depending on paper structure and level.
The strongest candidates combine secure grammar and vocabulary with mature written expression. Schools at this level are often looking not simply for correctness, but for thoughtfulness, clarity and control.
Mathematics
Mathematics is offered at three levels, depending on candidate pathway and school expectations. Content covers number fluency, algebra, geometry, ratio, probability and more demanding multi-step problem solving.
At the top end, mathematical reasoning matters just as much as calculation accuracy. Pupils need to show that they can choose methods intelligently and apply familiar knowledge to less familiar problems.
Science
Science is set either as a single Foundation paper or as three separate Core papers in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, depending on school approach. Biology, Chemistry and Physics understanding is expected to be broad, secure and applied intelligently.
Pupils need scientific knowledge, though they also need confidence explaining method, evidence and reasoning clearly.
Modern Languages
French and Spanish are common CE language papers, and German is also offered. French is set at Level 1 and Level 2. Assessment may include reading, writing and grammar, with some schools placing particular emphasis on translation accuracy and confident manipulation of language.
Classical Languages
Latin and Greek remain important in many traditional prep-school pathways. For pupils studying classics, these papers can be central rather than optional extras, particularly where senior schools maintain strong classical traditions.
Humanities
Geography, History and Theology, Philosophy and Religion (TPR) may also be taken, depending on school and pathway. These subjects reward knowledge, structure and thoughtful written analysis rather than rote recall alone.
Which Schools Use CE vs School-Set Papers?
Admissions routes vary, and schools do shift approach over time, so families should always verify directly with each school.
Traditional CE-linked pathways remain important at schools such as Eton College, Harrow School, Tonbridge School and Charterhouse, where Common Entrance remains part of the wider admissions landscape. Eton also retains CE-linked elements, though its route is more nuanced and highly school-specific.
Leading London day schools such as St Paul’s School and Westminster School are more commonly associated with early academic filtering through Pre-Test-style pathways followed by demanding school-set assessment later. Winchester College similarly uses its own highly distinctive admissions model rather than simply relying on standard CE alone.
The broad trend is towards hybrid admissions. Schools increasingly want standardised benchmarking early, followed by school-specific assessment later. This means parents need to understand the exact route for each target school rather than assuming one 13+ process applies everywhere.
Families looking specifically at boarding options may also find Boarding schools near London useful when comparing traditional CE-linked schools with other 13+ pathways.
The 13+ Timeline
The admissions journey usually unfolds over several years. In Year 6 autumn, many pupils sit the Common Pre-Test. This helps senior schools identify strong candidates early. Through Year 7, pupils continue building subject depth within prep school, often following a curriculum shaped around CE expectations even if final papers may be school-set.
In Year 8, candidates sit CE or equivalent papers. CE runs in three sessions a year, in November, January and June, and each school decides which session it uses. Interviews, references and wider school reports also play important roles alongside formal testing.
This long runway is why 13+ preparation is usually about steady academic development rather than sudden exam preparation. Pupils who have built strong reading, writing, mathematical and scientific foundations across Years 6 and 7 are far better placed than those who try to compress everything into the final months of Year 8.
How to Prepare for 13+ Common Entrance
The strongest preparation is cumulative. Prep schools structure Years 7 and 8 carefully around academic breadth, written discipline and exam technique, and that remains the core preparation route for most pupils.
Past-paper work matters because it builds familiarity with question style and pacing. Subject-specific tuition can also be valuable, particularly where pupils need stretch in scholarship-level work or support in weaker subjects. Mock CE programmes are especially useful because they teach stamina, timing and calmness under pressure.
By thirteen, pupils need more than knowledge. They need confidence applying that knowledge clearly, consistently and under exam conditions.
Students preparing for earlier shortlisting may also find ISEB Pre-Test tuition useful, particularly where Year 6 results determine whether the 13+ pathway remains open.
Common Mistakes Families Make
One common mistake is leaving preparation until Year 8. By that stage, there may still be time to improve exam technique, but it is much harder to rebuild weak foundations in English, Mathematics or Science.
Another mistake is confusing Pre-Test readiness with CE readiness. A child may perform strongly in computer-based reasoning and still need substantial work to produce developed written answers, scientific explanations or higher-level Mathematics solutions.
Families also sometimes prepare for the wrong route. A pupil targeting a school-set assessment may not need exactly the same approach as one sitting full CE, and a child applying to a traditional boarding school may face a different sequence from one applying to a London day school.
Finally, parents should not underestimate interviews and school references. At 13+, schools are often assessing maturity, curiosity, classroom contribution and fit as well as test performance.
How Lionheart Education Prepares 13+ Candidates
Lionheart Education prepares pupils across both full Common Entrance and school-set 13+ routes. Subject specialists support English writing, advanced Mathematics, Sciences, Modern Languages and wider academic readiness, while structured mock programmes help pupils build pacing and exam composure.
Just as importantly, Lionheart Education helps families understand which route actually applies to their target schools, because preparation for Harrow-style pathways, Westminster-style assessment and hybrid boarding-school routes is not identical. Clear strategy early in Year 6 or Year 7 often makes the entire 13+ journey far more manageable.
Support can include ISEB Pre-Test preparation, CE subject tuition, school-specific papers, interview coaching and scholarship-level stretch where appropriate.
Families comparing specific senior-school routes may also find St Paul’s School admissions and 13 Plus tuition useful when planning targeted preparation.
FAQ’S
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What Is 13+ Common Entrance?
13+ Common Entrance is a set of subject exams set by the Independent Schools Examinations Board for entry into Year 9 at senior independent schools. Pupils sit it in Year 8.
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When Is 13+ Common Entrance Taken?
Common Entrance runs in three sessions a year, in November, January and June. Each senior school decides which session its candidates sit.
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Is the ISEB Common Pre-Test the Same as Common Entrance?
No. The Pre-Test is an online, adaptive test taken in Year 6 or 7 covering English, Mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Common Entrance is a set of written subject papers taken in Year 8.
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Do All Senior Schools Use Common Entrance?
No. Westminster, St Paul’s and Wellington College dropped it at 13+, and many schools now combine the Pre-Test with their own assessments. Families should check the current route with each target school.
