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Almost there, but not quite - Waiting List Woes

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You get through the ISEB Pre-test, fly through the interviews... only to get a waiting list offer.  Don't despair!  A waiting list place is NOT a rejection. You are still in the picture. In 2020, five of my boys moved from reserve to general places at Winchester. One of my boys moved from the Eton waiting list and one of my girls has just moved off the waiting list at Downe House to the delight of her parents.   Why do schools have waiting lists?  It is no secret that families apply to multiple schools. If a school makes 10 offers, they can assume that a proportion of the candidates will not accept, or may drop our later. Hence the waiting list.  Why do students move from the waiting list? Some students may have a couple of options to consider. Once they give up their places, the schools will go to the waiting list to fill the gaps.  Other places will become available after scholarship exams take place. For example, Winchester candidates for Election will generally be holding offe

Our Top TWELVE FAQs from parents about the ISEB Pretest - updated!

Which schools ask for the ISEB pretest? The list has grown! Check here:   Schools like Eton, Winchester, Charterhouse and Wellington will ask your child to sit the ISEB Pre-test ahead of inviting them for an interview. Other schools such as Benenden will ask for the test in addition to their assessment day. Check the admissions pages of the school websites. Top Ten questions from Brandon parents!  1: How do I enter for the ISEB pretest? Once you have registered with your senior schools, they will enter your child once the appropriate year comes around.  2: Where do I take the test? Brandon, of course! Notify your senior school that you are taking the test with us and they will send us test codes.  3: When do I take the test?  Your school will give you a window during which the test must be taken. Some schools have early deadlines. You need to check!  4: So what does the pre-test consist of? The test is taken online and there are four sections: Maths (50 mins) English (25 mins) Non-Verb

Girls change the world- our new 12 - 14 year old influencers

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  Many of our students have mentioned that they have started to feel isolated over the last year so we have put together a group for them to start discussing their ideas. We have girls from all over the world joining our first forum in February. Together, they will discuss big topics and start to think of ways they can change their world, a step at a time.  Sometimes, we avoid action because our problems overwhelm us. By working together, our students will make a difference. 

Non Verbal Reasoning - How to do reflection (shape manipulation) questions

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The latest how-to video from the PreQuest team!

"My friend says that the ISEB Pretest pass mark is ... " and other myths!

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  If your child has just taken the ISEB Pre-test as part of their Eton, Winchester, Tonbridge, Charterhouse, Wellington, Cranleigh, St Paul's (continue ad infinitum, see the list here! ) then you may well be surrounded by a fog of panic and misinformation. So here we go, the top myths...  1: There is a pass mark of X... No... there really isn't. Schools use the Pre-Test as part of their application process in conjunction with school reports, references and additional information. Most schools will apply a range to the results they receive from their cohort which may be broader or narrower depending on their intake.  As a rule of thumb: a school with fast-paced teaching and highly academic focus (such as St Paul's), will take the top end of their cohort. A school with excellent support and a broader intake (e.g. Stowe), will use a wider measure.  2: So and so scored 100%... The scores of the test are not released by schools...  3: So and so took the test twice... Not in one

11+ non-verbal reasoning for ISEB, GL and other pretests

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11+ Non-verbal reasoning - completing the square

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