Common Entrance at 13+: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Eight subjects. Three levels. One exam that still defines the prep-to-senior-school transition for thousands of families every year — even as the landscape around it shifts. Here’s how it actually works.
Key facts
- Common Entrance covers 8 subjects (English, Maths, Science, French, Latin, Geography, History, Religious Studies) with papers at up to 3 difficulty levels.
- CE is not a competitive exam — by the time your child sits it, they already hold a conditional place at a senior school.
- Around 170 independent senior schools accept CE results, though some highly selective schools set their own papers instead.
- Exams are sat in May/June of Year 8 (age 12–13). Each school sets its own pass threshold, typically 55–80%.
- Some schools are moving away from CE in favour of their own assessments — always check your target school’s current requirements.
What is Common Entrance?
Common Entrance (CE) is a set of exams taken by children in Year 8 (age 12–13) who are moving from a prep school to an independent senior school. It is administered by the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) and accepted by around 170 senior schools, almost all in England.
The crucial thing to understand: CE is not a competitive examin the way the 11+ is. By the time a child sits CE, they already hold a conditional place at a senior school. CE confirms that the child has reached the academic standard the school expects. Think of it as the final step in a process that began 2–3 years earlier.
The 8 Common Entrance Subjects
CE is a substantial set of exams. Across all subjects, children may sit 17 or more individual papers over several days. Not every school requires every subject — check with your target school for their specific requirements.
Not all schools require all subjects
Latin is only required by a handful of schools (most notably Winchester). Many schools do not require Religious Studies for entry. Always check your target school’s specific requirements before planning revision.
The Three Levels Explained
Maths, Science, and French are offered at three levels of difficulty. English, Geography, History, Religious Studies, and Latin are single-level. Your child’s prep school determines which level they sit, based on ability and the requirements of their target senior school.
What Scores Do Schools Expect?
Schools don’t publish official pass marks, but the thresholds below reflect what prep school heads and parents consistently report. Remember: CE is marked by the senior school, not by ISEB, so each school applies its own standards.
The Common Entrance Timeline
CE doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s the final step in a 2–3 year process that begins with registration and pre-testing. Here’s the typical timeline.
Register with senior schools
Most senior schools require registration by the end of Year 6. Some popular schools have earlier deadlines. Check each school individually.
ISEB Common Pre-Test
Many selective schools now use the ISEB Common Pre-Test in Year 6 or early Year 7 as a first filter. A conditional place may be offered based on results.
Conditional offer received
Schools issue conditional offers, typically subject to satisfactory CE performance. This is the point to confirm which school your child will sit CE for.
CE preparation intensifies
Prep schools gear their Year 8 curriculum around CE. Setting into ability groups for Maths, Science, and languages determines which level (1, 2, or 3) each child sits.
Sit Common Entrance
CE is sat at the child’s prep school in early June. Papers are sent to the senior school the child is applying to for marking. Results typically arrive within 2–3 weeks.
Confirmation of place
The senior school confirms (or very rarely withdraws) the place based on CE results. If a child significantly underperforms, the school will discuss options with the prep school head.
The Shift Away from Common Entrance
CE remains the standard route for most prep-to-senior transitions, but its dominance is waning. More schools are selecting earlier (via the ISEB Common Pre-Test at 11) and some have dropped CE entirely. Here are the main alternatives.
Scholarship Papers at 13+
Scholarship exams are separate from (and in addition to) Common Entrance. They are typically sat in February or March of Year 8, before the main CE sitting in June.
Fee reductions vary widely.Academic scholarships typically offer 5–25% fee reductions, sometimes more at less competitive schools. The real value is often the prestige and access to scholars’ programmes rather than the financial saving. If you need significant fee support, look at bursaries rather than scholarships.
Common Entrance Across the UK
CE is overwhelmingly an English phenomenon. Here’s how 13+ entry works (or doesn’t) in each nation.
How to Prepare for Common Entrance
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School Atlas Pro lets you compare exam results, fees, inspection grades, and admissions data for every independent school in the UK. See which schools accept CE, which set their own exams, and how they compare on the metrics that matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & further reading
- • ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board) — official CE syllabus and past papers
- • Galore Park — CE revision guides and practice papers
- • ISC (Independent Schools Council) — Census 2025, school membership data
- • Good Schools Guide — school-by-school CE threshold reports
- • Prep school heads — reported thresholds and preparation guidance
This guide is for general information only. Admissions policies, inspection frameworks, and school structures change regularly — always verify current details with the relevant school, local authority, or official body. Last reviewed April 2026.
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