A first-stage test for a child living abroad is the school’s choice, not the family’s, and one school can ask for a different test at a different entry year. Of the 32 schools quoted on this page, each read on 4 October 2026, Eton and Harrow ask for the ISEB Common Pre-Test, Dulwich and Oundle set their own papers, and Stowe asks for UKiset or CAT4 depending on a child’s first language.
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Each quotation below is copied from the page it links to and marked with the entry it serves. A child in Year 8 in 2026-27 enters Year 9 in September 2027, Year 7 means September 2028 and Year 6 means September 2029; which UK year group a birth date places a child in is set out separately. Dates are marked against Sunday 4 October 2026, and an entry September that a school does not state is marked as worked out.
Which schools name UKiset for a child abroad, and in what circumstances?
UKiset appears on school pages in five different ways, and most depend on the child’s situation rather than on a general preference for it. What the test measures and how it is scored are covered in UKiset explained; this section sets out only what each school says about when it asks for it.
Unable to visit: Millfield and Eton’s King’s Scholarship route
Millfield answers on its admissions FAQ for ages 13 to 18 (entry year to confirm): “International Students not able to visit Millfield take the UKiset assessment” (Millfield FAQ) The same FAQ says the interview and assessment “can be conducted remotely via Zoom” (same FAQ). Ask Millfield whether a UKiset replaces its own reasoning assessment or comes before it.
Eton College publishes a 2027 King’s Scholarship prospectus. Its eligibility criteria set the age condition at Wednesday 1 September 2027 and say “Candidates born in August 2013 must be in school year 8 when they sit these exams.” (Eton prospectus), so the route serves entry in September 2027. The prospectus says that “Boys who have not already taken the test at age 11 may still apply”, and that such boys are required to take the Eton List Test, “or the UKiset test if overseas (with subsequent assessment if the UKiset results are strong enough)” (same prospectus). For boys at schools outside the UK it adds: “Candidates attending schools outside the UK may choose to sit the UKiset test (for details please visit https://www.ukiset.com/) as a precursor to the Eton List Test. The UKiset test may avoid unnecessary travel to the UK as many overseas candidates can sit the test locally.” UKiset must send the complete results “by Monday 4 January 2027”, a date that is ahead. Eton also says: “Admissions prefer that the test is taken in the autumn term of year 8 but would consider tests taken earlier.” (same prospectus)
First language decides at Stowe: UKiset or CAT4
Stowe School puts the split in two sentences on its 13+ entry page: “Overseas pupils, for whom English is their first language will be asked to sit CAT4 Tests. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will be asked to sit a UKiset test.” (Stowe 13+ page) Its Stowe Group admissions policy, which records “Policy Amended: 18 November 2025” (Stowe Group policy), states the second case as a condition of an offer: “Candidates who live overseas and for whom English is not their first language, will be required to take the UKiset test before an offer of a place can be made.” (same policy)
Asked for beside the school’s own stages: Rugby, Oundle and Cheltenham Ladies’ College
Rugby School opens its international page with this rule, in a sentence that carries no year group: “The assessment process follows the same steps as all UK-based families, with additional requirements of a UKiset report and the appointment of an accredited guardian.” (Rugby page) Ask Rugby in writing whether the UKiset report applies to a Year 9 applicant.
Oundle School gives two different conditions on two pages. Its 13+ page says: “For those applying outside of the UK, it would be advantageous for all applicants from overseas to provide us with a UKiset report prior to registration.” (Oundle 13+ page) Its international-admissions page says: …“we ask applicants whose native language is not English to provide a UKiset report or equivalent at the earliest stage of application.” (Oundle international page)
Cheltenham Ladies’ College writes on its international page: “Many international applicants are required to complete UKiset as part of the admissions process.” (Cheltenham Ladies’ international page) Ask the college whether a child abroad entering at 11+ or 13+ is one of the “many”.
Requested, encouraged or optional where English is the question
These schools word UKiset as something they may ask for, welcome or leave to the family. Each line names the page it comes from and the entry point, where the passage gives one.
Roedean School, Apply page (entry year to confirm): registration asks for “their English language level via a UKiSET or IELTS report”, with the footnote “English language levels are only required for international applicants and those whose first language is not English.” (Roedean Apply page).
Brighton College, Overseas Admissions Timeline covering 13+, 14+ and 16+ entry (entry year to confirm): “We would encourage applicants to submit a UKiset report if English is not their first language.” (Brighton timeline)
Haileybury, international-pupils page (entry year to confirm): “We reserve the right to request international applicants to sit the UKiset online test as part of the admissions process.” (Haileybury page)
Sherborne Girls, international applicants page: “Non-native English speakers will have their language skills assessed during the admissions process. If we feel additional information is needed to assess a candidate’s proficiency in English we may request a UKiset test” (Sherborne Girls international page)
Felsted School, Joining from overseas page (entry year to confirm): it lists UKiset reports among “Any other supporting documents that you would like to be taken into consideration, e.g. language certificates, UKiset reports” (Felsted overseas page).
Sevenoaks School, international applicants overview: “It is not a requirement for your child to complete a UKiset test prior to applying.” (Sevenoaks page)
Wellington College, 13+ (Year 9): “13+ candidates may also offer UKiset results as part of their application, but this is not a necessity as all 13+ candidates complete English and Verbal Reasoning assessments as part of the ISEB Common Pretest.” (Wellington page)
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The rows below are quoted from the 14+ and 16+ sections of the schools’ pages and are listed apart from the lines above.
School
Entry point on the page
What the page says
Wycombe Abbey
16+ (Year 12)
“Once registered, all candidates, home and international, should arrange to sit a UKiset assessment for Wycombe Abbey.” (page)
Wellington College
16+ (Year 12)
“Any 16+ candidate for whom English is not their first language, whether studying currently in the UK or abroad, must complete UKiset as part of the application process.” (page)
Westminster School
16+ (Year 12), the entry point its overseas-applicants page describes
“All applicants who have English as an additional language will need to submit a UKiset (UK Independent Schools’ Entry Test) or a IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) profile as part of their application.” (page)
Benenden School
14+ (Year 10) and 16+ (Year 12) sections
“All candidates whose first language is not English will be asked to sit the UKiset test to assess their English proficiency.” (page)
Millfield
16+ entry
“For candidates outside of the UK we may also require the Ukiset test to be sat prior to interview.” (page)
Which schools make the ISEB Common Pre-Test the first stage, and where does each allow a child abroad to sit it?
How the Pre-Test is registered and invigilated abroad is covered in sitting the ISEB Pre-Test from abroad, and its format in the ISEB Pre-Test guide. This table gives one row per school: the entry it serves and the venue that school itself names.
School and entry point
Year sat and entry
Where the school says a child abroad sits it
Eton College 13+ (Year 9)
“Stage 1: Autumn term of UK School Year 6” → September 2029 (stated in Eton’s timeline)
“All boys sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests during October or November, either at their current school or at an agreed centre.” (page) “If not, some test dates will be held at Eton (usually mid-October) or you will need to contact the ISEB to find a suitable venue.” (Eton timeline)
“between 1 October and the end of November in Year 6” (page) → September 2029 (worked out)
“An applicant who attends a school overseas should ask his current school to supply a suitable testing room with a computer and internet access, along with an administrator to set up and supervise the CPT. If the applicant's current school is unable to invigilate the test, his local British Council office or another educational establishment may be used as an alternative venue.” (page)
“Boys applying in Year 6 are required to sit the ISEB Pre-Test” (page) Its international page says: …“it is possible for your child to be assessed at a representative office overseas, such as The British Council or at the offices of one of our appointed agents.” (page) That sentence speaks of assessment; ask whether it covers the Pre-Test.
Wellington College 13+ (Year 9)
“Stage 1 (Oct/Nov Year 6)” (page) → September 2029 (worked out)
“These tests are usually completed at the current school although a small number of candidates may take them at Wellington College. Overseas candidates can take the test at a British Council or an approved testing centre.” (page)
“will sit our assessments in Year 8”, for 2027 entry (dates stated in the dated table below)
“Candidates will need to make arrangements to sit this test at their current school, a recognised test centre in the UK, or at local British Council Office, by October.” (page)
Benenden School 13+ (Year 9)
Autumn term of Year 6, for 13+ 2029 entry (dates stated in the dated table below)
“All 13+ and 12+ candidates are asked to take the ISEB Common Pre-test during the Autumn Term of Year 6. The test can be taken at the candidate’s current school or a recognised testing centre (such as a local British Council Office), between 1 October and 31 October.” (page)
Downe House 13+ (Year 9)
“assessment takes place in the Michaelmas (Autumn) term when pupils are in year 6” → September 2029 (worked out)
“For overseas pupils, they are asked to sit the test at their local testing centre by the middle of October.” (page)
Charterhouse 13+ (Year 9), Year 7 pathway for children at school internationally
Autumn term of Year 7, for entry in September 2028 (dates stated in the dated table below)
“All overseas applicants will sit the ISEB Common Pre-test for Charterhouse in the autumn term of their Year 7, at their current School.” (page)
“For 13+ admissions, boys currently at school overseas may sit the ISEB online pre-test at their school if it is willing to administer the test. If the school is unable to administer it, then the test should be taken at the local British Council Office.” (page)
Source: each school’s page, linked in its row, read on 4 October 2026.
Which schools set their own first-stage papers or online test, and who may supervise a child abroad?
These schools name a test of their own: written papers, a computer-based assessment, or an online assessment supplied to the school. The practical difference is who may supervise. Felsted, Roedean, Uppingham, Shrewsbury and Sherborne Girls each name the current school as a permitted venue, and Haileybury says it does not permit that. Felsted, Haileybury, Uppingham and Shrewsbury each name a lawyer’s, solicitor’s or law-firm venue. The first table covers passages that give the entry point; the second covers passages that carry no entry year.
School and entry point
What the school sets
Who or where the school says a child abroad may sit it
Dulwich College Year 9 overseas boarding, entry September 2027
“Year 9 and 10 Overseas boarding applicants will sit examinations in Mathematics, English and Reasoning Tests.” (page)
“Overseas testing for candidates in other locations will take place at the nearest British Council office or a Dulwich College International school.” (same page)
Whitgift School 13+ and 14+, international boarders, entry September 2027
“13+ and 14+ Entrance Exams English Maths Science” (page)
“It is possible for students to take our examinations abroad at a British Council location closest to their home or at the offices of one of our authorised agency partners.” (page)
Oundle School 13+; the two Oundle pages give different timings (see the written-question section)
“All overseas applicants sit the Oundle Entrance Examination in November of Year 8, also with papers in Mathematics, English, Science and normally a Modern Foreign Language, alongside an interview and Cognitive Ability Test.” (page) International page, 13+ Entry: “Entry is by written examination in January before entry in September.” (page)
“We ask all candidates not taking examinations at Oundle School to sit them at a British Council Office.” (same page)
Shrewsbury School 13+ and 14+, November 2026 → September 2027 (worked out from “November prior to entry”)
“Shrewsbury's own entrance assessments in English, Mathematics and, for 13+ applicants, French where it has been studied for more than one year”, “taken in November prior to entry the following September” (page)
“examinations can be taken at Shrewsbury School or, where travelling to the UK is not practical, at the applicant's current school or another approved location, such as a British Consulate or a local law firm.” (same page)
Uppingham School Fourth Form (Year 9), pre-tests usually in Year 7 → September 2028 (worked out)
“Our online assessments are provided by Quest” (page); “sit pre-tests during September to December of Year 7” (same page)
“Ordinarily the online assessments would be completed at a candidate's current school but if this is not possible, they do so at a solicitor's office, via an approved agent or at a recognised independent examination centre (e.g. British Council).” (same page)
Sherborne Girls 13+ (Year 9), Year 6 → September 2029 (worked out)
“Girls will sit the Sherborne Girls online assessments in Year 6 as part of their application.” (page)
“The online assessments can be sat at your daughter's current school in the Michaelmas (Autumn) Term if they are in agreement, or they can be sat at Sherborne Girls.” (same page)
Charterhouse 13+ (Year 9), Year 8 pathway for children at school internationally, entry September 2027
“Candidates will complete various tests on a digital platform, allowing them to take the tests virtually from any location with Wi-Fi, within a given testing window.” (same page)
“From the comfort of their own home, international pupils can be invigilated online by us via a Zoom meeting.” (same page) “Alternatively, within a seven-day window set by the School, international applicants may also be permitted to sit at the offices of the British Council or at a lawyer’s office.” (same page) “Please note that we do not permit our entrance exams to be taken at the applicant’s current school.” (same page)
Felsted School Joining from overseas
“All pupils take entry testing in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.” (page)
“Our tests can be taken remotely at the pupil’s current school, a lawyer’s office or British Council office. They can also be taken at an educational agent or consultant’s office if this is a service they provide.” (same page)
“For applicants based overseas, tests may be taken at:” the applicant’s school, the nearest British Council offices or an educational agency (same page).
Sevenoaks School International applicants
Assessments, on the school’s assessment days (page)
“Sevenoaks staff travel to supervise tests in countries with sufficient applicants. If you cannot attend a testing event run by our own staff, it is possible to take the assessments at a British Council office or similar, and to participate in an online group discussion activity.” (same page)
Source: each school’s page, linked in its row, read on 4 October 2026. Common Entrance papers sat from abroad are covered in Common Entrance from overseas.
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Which September does each first-stage test serve, and which dates have passed?
A pre-test sat in Year 6 or Year 7 serves a later entry year than a paper sat in Year 8, and one school can run both. The table lists routes where the school itself states the entry September or gives dates; where the earlier tables show an entry September that a school does not state, it is worked out from the year group.
School and route
Year sat → entry September
Dates the school gives, marked against 4 October 2026
Eton College Stage 1, ISEB Common Pre-Tests
UK Year 6 → September 2029 (stated)
“Deadline for Registering for a place at the School for September 2029”: 31st August 2026 (past) “Deadline for sitting the ISEB Common Pre-Tests”: 30th November 2026 (ahead) Stage 2 at Eton, “between January to March 2027” (ahead) (Eton timeline)
Eton College King’s Scholarship, UKiset route
Year 8 → September 2027 (the prospectus sets its age condition at 1 September 2027)
UKiset results due “by Monday 4 January 2027” (ahead) (Eton prospectus)
Benenden School 13+, ISEB Common Pre-Test
Autumn term of Year 6 → 13+ 2029 entry (stated)
Preview Day: “19 September 2026” (past) Pre-Test: “between 1 October and 31 October” (open now) (page)
Charterhouse Year 7 pathway, ISEB Common Pre-Test
Autumn term of Year 7 → September 2028
Registration for September 2028 entry, “30 September 2026” (past) (page)
Charterhouse Year 8 pathway, digital platform
Year 8 → September 2027
Registration for September 2027 entry, final date “19 October 2026” (ahead) Testing windows: “3 - 10 September 2026” for registrations by 31 August 2026 (past); “23 October 2026 - 3 November 2026” for registrations from 1 September to 19 October 2026 (ahead) (page)
Wycombe Abbey 13+, Year 8 route, ISEB Common Pre-Test
Year 8 → 2027 entry (stated)
Registration: “1 June 2026” (past) Pre-Test: “9 October 2026 deadline” (ahead) Assessment Day: “14 January 2027” (ahead) (page)
Dulwich College Year 9, overseas applicants
Year 9 entry, September 2027 (stated); sat in Year 8 (worked out)
Overseas registration: “Friday 2 October 2026” (page) (past) Hong Kong boarding examinations: “Sunday 25 October 2026” (ahead) UK day-place Year 9 exam: “Saturday 9 January 2027” (ahead) “Candidates applying for Year 9 who are at school overseas cannot be considered for the Deferred Entry exams when they are in Year 6. This entry route is only open for candidates at UK prep schools.” (page)
Whitgift School 13+ and 14+, international boarders
13+ and 14+ entry, September 2027 (stated); sat in Year 8 (worked out)
Overseas examinations: “Saturday 31 Oct to Friday 6 November 2026” (ahead) (page)
Whitgift School 13+ Pre-Test, boarding only
2029 entry (stated); sat in Year 6 (worked out)
Application deadline “Friday 6 November 2026” (ahead) Entrance exams “Tuesday 5 January 2027” (ahead) (page)
Brighton College 13+, Overseas Admissions Timeline
“September / October before entry” → entry year to confirm
“Registration for 13+, 14+ and 16+ entry will close at the beginning of the September before entry.” (Brighton timeline) Assessments in the “September / October before entry” (same PDF)
Source: each school’s page, linked in its row, read on 4 October 2026.
Which later stages still need a visit, and which can be done remotely?
The first stage is one part of the travel plan. For the interview itself, read video interviews for a child abroad. The rows below are what each school says about the stages after the first test.
School and entry point
Later stage
What the school says
Harrow School 13+
The Harrow Test
“If an applicant passes the ISEB CPT, we will invite him to sit the Harrow Test at the School in the Spring term of Year 6.” (page)
Eton College 13+, Stage 2
Assessment at Eton
“Boys who are successful at Stage 1 come to Eton for assessment” (page)
Wellington College 13+, Stage 2
Assessment morning or afternoon
“Selected pupils attend an assessment morning or afternoon at Wellington” (page)
Wycombe Abbey All overseas candidates
Assessment days
“We require all overseas candidates to attend assessment days in person, but we encourage prospective parents to contact the Admissions Department directly to discuss assessment arrangements.” (page)
St Paul’s School 13+
Interview
“Having reviewed the examination results we will advise if the candidate will be called for interview. If so, this must take place in London at St Paul’s School.” (page)
“Overseas candidates will be required to travel to King’s to sit our entry tests. In order to avoid unnecessary travel, overseas candidates will be interviewed at King's the day prior to the written tests.” (page)
Winchester College 13+, a later exam
Winchester Entrance, listed after the offer decisions (no entry year given for it here)
“Offer Decisions, including bursary provision will be released in March of Year 6.” “In the Spring of Year 8: Boys will sit Winchester Entrance”. “Entry to Winchester College is not dependent on the results of these examinations.” (page) “The majority of candidates will undertake the Winchester Entrance exam in the April/May of Year 8, either at their own school or at an approved centre.” (page)
Stowe School 13+
Visit and interviews
“By exception overseas pupils may be interviewed remotely: Day pupils - September to mid-January of Year 6. Boarders - September to March of Year 6.” (page)
Cheltenham Ladies’ College 13+
Assessment day at a test centre in Hong Kong
“In some limited circumstances, we are also able to offer assessment days at a test centre in Hong Kong in October - please contact us for more information about this. In order to complete the assessment day in Hong Kong, you must first have visited CLC. Your visit must have taken place by 30th September 2026.” (page) The visit-by date, 30th September 2026, is past.
Charterhouse International families
Interviews
“Virtual tours & interviews available Entrance exams arranged remotely where needed” (page)
Tonbridge School 13+
Interviews and activities
“They will also have the opportunity to participate in online interviews and activities with key staff at Tonbridge.” (page)
Benenden School 13+
Preview Day interview and creative writing task
“If a candidate is unable to attend the Preview Day, the Admissions Team will make alternative arrangements for the interview and the creative writing task.” (page)
Source: each school’s page, linked in its row, read on 4 October 2026.
Which schools state a residence or sponsorship rule that comes before any test?
Where a school states a residence or sponsorship rule beside its test, that rule is the first thing to read. The rules themselves are covered in the Child Student visa and educational guardians; this section quotes only what the schools say beside their tests.
St Paul’s Girls’ School, 11+ (Year 7): “St Paul’s is a day school with no boarding facilities available, which means we are unfortunately unable to accommodate overseas students. It is our school policy that all students must live in London with their parents for the duration of their education.” (SPGS 11+ page)
James Allen’s Girls’ School, 11+ (Year 7): “11+ Overseas applicants may apply and can sit their ISEB Common Pre-test abroad, along with the creative writing element of the Welcome Morning, rather than attending in person. An interview will be arranged via Zoom. Please note that we do not sponsor overseas applicants for visas.” (JAGS joining page) Ask JAGS what happens after a Pre-Test sat abroad for a family that does not need a visa.
King’s College School Wimbledon, 13+ (Year 9): “All pupils at King’s must have the right to be resident and study in the United Kingdom. The school does not sponsor pupils under the Child Student Visa Scheme.” (King’s Wimbledon page)
Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, all main entry points: “We are able to facilitate assessments in your country of residence and will work with your chosen invigilator.” (Haberdashers’ Boys’ page) “Please note that we are not a licensed Child Student sponsor and all permissions for studying in the UK must be in place.” (same page)
A Year 8 paper somewhere in the plan?
For Common Entrance, we provide subject-specific tuition across English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, French, Latin and other CE subjects, with marking and targeted feedback on written answers.
Which passages need a written question before a family books anything?
Where two pages from one school say different things, or one page gives a rule without an entry year, this page does not decide which applies. Each case quotes both sides, each linked, and ends with the question to send.
Westminster School at 13+: two passages on the same page
Westminster’s 13+ page answers the question “Does the School accept overseas applicants at 13+?” with: “Westminster School is not a suitable boarding environment for pupils under 16 years of age (Years 9, 10 and 11) whose parents live outside the United Kingdom. We are, therefore, unable to accept international pupils at 13+ or offer Child Student visa sponsorship.” (Westminster 13+ page) Its overseas-applicants page adds: “International pupils under the age of 16 must have parents resident in the UK in order to apply for a 13+ entry place at the School.” (Westminster overseas page) On the same 13+ page, the pre-interview test section says: “Westminster School uses the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) Common Pre-Tests.” and “Candidates based overseas can take these tests at their own school.” (Westminster 13+ page) It also says: “Overseas candidates will be required to come to Westminster for their interview, and for the Further Mathematics and English testing” (same page)
Ask Westminster in writing, giving the child’s country of residence and where the parents live, which of these passages applies at 13+ for entry in September 2027, 2028 or 2029.
Oundle School at 13+: two timings on two pages
Oundle’s 13+ page says: “All overseas applicants sit the Oundle Entrance Examination in November of Year 8, also with papers in Mathematics, English, Science and normally a Modern Foreign Language, alongside an interview and Cognitive Ability Test.” (Oundle 13+ page) Its international-admissions page, under 13+ Entry, says: “Entry is by written examination in January before entry in September.” (Oundle international page) Ask Oundle in writing whether a child abroad entering at 13+ sits in November of Year 8 or in January before entry.
Stowe School at 13+: web page and Stowe Group admissions policy (amended 18 November 2025)
Stowe’s 13+ entry page says: “We no longer use the ISEB Pre-Tests as a mean of entry.” (Stowe 13+ page) Its Stowe Group admissions policy says: “Native English speakers, or those who are fluent in English, will be required to sit the ISEB Pre-Tests depending on their personal circumstances.” (Stowe policy) The same policy also says, as quoted in the UKiset section above: “Candidates who live overseas and for whom English is not their first language, will be required to take the UKiset test before an offer of a place can be made.” (same policy) A child who lives abroad, is fluent in English and does not have English as a first language could be read into both of the policy’s sentences. Ask Stowe in writing which test applies: CAT4, UKiset or an ISEB Pre-Test.
Rules to confirm: which entry year does each sentence cover?
The Millfield, Roedean, Haileybury, Felsted and Rugby passages quoted above, and the Cheltenham Ladies’ College line on UKiset, each state an overseas rule in a sentence that carries no entry year. For each, ask which of 11+, 13+ and 16+ the rule covers, and whether it differs when the parents live abroad.
The 32 schools quoted on this page, each read on 4 October 2026, are Benenden School, Brighton College, Charterhouse, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Cranleigh School, Downe House, Dulwich College, Eton College, Felsted School, Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, Haileybury, Harrow School, James Allen’s Girls’ School, King’s College School Wimbledon, Millfield, Oundle School, Roedean School, Rugby School, Sevenoaks School, Sherborne Girls, Shrewsbury School, South Hampstead High School, St Paul’s Girls’ School, St Paul’s School, Stowe School, Tonbridge School, Uppingham School, Wellington College, Westminster School, Whitgift School, Winchester College and Wycombe Abbey.
Can a child at school abroad sit the ISEB Pre-Test there?
At several of the schools quoted above, yes, with the venue set by the school. Eton says “All boys sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests during October or November, either at their current school or at an agreed centre.” (Eton). Harrow adds that if the current school cannot invigilate, “his local British Council office or another educational establishment may be used as an alternative venue” (Harrow). Eton’s timeline sets “30th November 2026 Deadline for sitting the ISEB Common Pre-Tests.” (Eton timeline).
Is UKiset a substitute for the ISEB Pre-Test?
Stowe says candidates “who live overseas and for whom English is not their first language, will be required to take the UKiset test before an offer of a place can be made” (Stowe policy). Wellington says “13+ candidates may also offer UKiset results as part of their application, but this is not a necessity as all 13+ candidates complete English and Verbal Reasoning assessments as part of the ISEB Common Pretest.” (Wellington). Eton’s King’s Scholarship prospectus for September 2027 says “Boys who have not already taken the test at age 11 may still apply” and offers UKiset to candidates at schools outside the UK “as a precursor to the Eton List Test” (Eton).
Does a child at an English-medium school abroad still need UKiset?
The schools word the trigger differently, so ask each one in writing. Roedean’s footnote refers to “international applicants and those whose first language is not English” (Roedean), Oundle’s international page to applicants “whose native language is not English” (Oundle), and Stowe’s 13+ page to candidates “for whom English is not their first language” (Stowe). None of the three sentences refers to the language of the school the child attends, so ask each school whether an English-medium school abroad changes the answer.
Can the first-stage test be sat at home?
Some schools say yes and some say no. Haileybury says: “From the comfort of their own home, international pupils can be invigilated online by us via a Zoom meeting.” (Haileybury). Charterhouse’s Year 8 pathway allows tests “virtually from any location with Wi-Fi” (Charterhouse). For 11+, South Hampstead High School says the London 11+ Consortium “does not allow candidates to be tested at their home, a tutor’s house” (South Hampstead).
Which September does a test sat in Year 6, Year 7 or Year 8 serve?
A child in Year 6 in 2026-27 enters Year 9 in September 2029, Year 7 means September 2028 and Year 8 means September 2027. Eton’s Stage 1 Pre-Tests serve September 2029 (Eton timeline). Charterhouse’s international Year 7 pathway sits the Pre-Test “in the autumn term of their Year 7” for September 2028 (Charterhouse). Oundle’s 13+ page puts its overseas examination “in November of Year 8” (Oundle 13+ page), while its international page says “in January before entry” (Oundle international page), so ask Oundle which applies.
Do we have to travel to the UK at any stage?
It depends. King’s College School Wimbledon says: “Overseas candidates will be required to travel to King’s to sit our entry tests.” (King’s College School). Wycombe Abbey’s Pre-Test may be sat “at their current school, a recognised test centre in the UK, or at local British Council Office” (Wycombe Abbey), but: “We require all overseas candidates to attend assessment days in person, but we encourage prospective parents to contact the Admissions Department directly to discuss assessment arrangements.” (same page) Harrow says: “If an applicant passes the ISEB CPT, we will invite him to sit the Harrow Test at the School in the Spring term of Year 6.” (Harrow).
Does my child need to prepare for the first-stage test?
Several schools say not. Millfield says “The test is not possible to prepare for and takes just under an hour to complete.” (Millfield). Westminster says its 13+ pre-interview tests are “taken online, and there’s no need for special preparation” (Westminster). Winchester says its assessment “shouldn’t be stressful or require additional tutoring” (Winchester). Where a school states that its assessment does not require tutoring, we will tell you so rather than sell you preparation for it.
Plan the first-stage tests for your child’s school list
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