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Exam Board Guide

ISEB Pre-Test
Preparation Guide

The ISEB Pre-Test is used by the UK's most prestigious independent schools — and it's unlike any other 11+ exam. It's computer-based, adaptive, and designed to find exceptional children. Leo prepares yours for exactly that.

The exam used by the UK's most prestigious schools

💻 Computer-based and adaptive

The ISEB Pre-Test is taken on a computer — not on paper. Crucially, it's adaptive: the difficulty of each question adjusts in real time based on your child's previous answers. Get a question right and the next is harder. Get it wrong and it eases back. This means every child gets a personalised exam.

📚 What it tests

  • Mathematics — reasoning and problem-solving
  • English — comprehension and vocabulary
  • Verbal Reasoning — analogies, sequences, codes
  • Non-Verbal Reasoning — patterns, matrices, spatial

📅 When is it taken?

Most children sit the ISEB Pre-Test in Year 6, typically between September and January. Schools receive results and use them to decide who to invite for further assessment or interview. A strong Pre-Test result is the first gate.

🎯 What makes it different

  • Fully computer-based — no paper, no filling bubbles
  • Adaptive difficulty — harder if you're doing well
  • Shared between schools — one test, multiple schools
  • Results sent directly to each school you've applied to

Leo's AI mirrors the ISEB adaptive format

Leo's adaptive difficulty engine works exactly like the ISEB Pre-Test — questions get harder when your child performs well. This means ISEB preparation on Strive feels exactly like the real thing.

🔄 Adaptive questions

Leo adjusts difficulty in real time — the same mechanism used by the actual ISEB Pre-Test.

💻 Screen-based practice

ISEB is on screen. Reading and answering on a screen feels different. Leo builds that habit.

🎓 Top-level questions

ISEB assesses the top 10% of children. Leo includes challenging stretch questions to reach that level.

📊 All 4 subjects

The ISEB Pre-Test covers all four areas. Leo prepares your child across every one.

💡 Leo's top ISEB tip

"The ISEB is adaptive — if you're doing well, it gets harder. That's a good sign. Train your child not to panic when questions feel difficult. It means they're performing well."

Some of the UK's finest independent schools

Eton College

Windsor, Berkshire

Westminster School

London

Winchester College

Winchester, Hampshire

Harrow School

Harrow-on-the-Hill

Charterhouse

Godalming, Surrey

Tonbridge School

Tonbridge, Kent

Marlborough College

Wiltshire

Cheltenham Ladies' College

Cheltenham

+ many more

Over 150 schools use ISEB