Common Entrance
For many students, Common Entrance in Year 8 represents the first extensive set of exams across all subjects. These days, most senior schools make their offer decisions much earlier, via pre-tests sat in Year 6 or 7 — so for the majority of students, Common Entrance now serves as a pass/fail confirmation of the place they've already secured, rather than a competitive exam in its own right. Occasionally, a student still without a place later in Year 8 may be offered a place dependent on strong CE results, but this is now the exception rather than the rule.
All students sit three compulsory papers: English, Mathematics and Science. Depending on the schools they're applying to, students may also sit optional papers in Geography, History, Classics (Latin and/or Ancient Greek), a Modern Foreign Language, and Religious Studies. Within Maths, students sit either Foundation or Core papers, and some Core-level students also take the Additional paper — a harder extension tier that sits between standard Common Entrance level and full Scholarship (CASE) level, for students likely to sit Scholarship exams or simply capable of the extra stretch.
This is one of the first set of high stakes exams and the first real test of a comprehensive revision programme throughout the year. Much like with GCSEs, each student's revision timetable and plan will vary depending on their strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. Some students may require a lot of focus on certain subjects earlier on in the year to address difficulties, while others may rely on past papers throughout the year, before starting on the final revision programme from the Easter holidays.
The key at this age is to assess what will maximise each student's performance during their exams in June. Unlike with GCSEs, students in Year 8 haven't spent years at school sitting entire sets of high stakes exams, so may still be working out which learning style is best suited for them. Fortunately, our Common Entrance tutors are able to apply and support with a variety of teaching and revision techniques. Students may find that working through past papers works best for Maths, revision flash cards helps most with Latin, online Bitesize resources are best for Science, pinning quotes to the walls helps for English and that applying the Memory Palace (method of loci) techniques is most effective for History or RS.
FEATURED TUTORS
A few of our Common Entrance specialists, covering everything from Maths to Ancient Greek
Whatever the case, it is vital that Common Entrance tutors are right up to date with the latest changes in the Common Entrance syllabuses, and with what materials work best for their students. We support students across all levels and tiers, and cover all subjects including Ancient Greek. Many of our tutors are current or former prep school teachers, and we stick closely to school syllabuses so as not to confuse our students, but to offer support and guidance throughout the process. This stretches as far as advice on exam week - eeking out those final few percent can be a case of ensuring healthy eating and sleeping patterns, and preparing what to look through to warm up on the morning of the exams. Like top sportsmen, the calm that comes with knowing that your preparation has been as meticulous as possible, not rushed, can make a big difference when you are required to perform at your best.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch for any requests about subjects in Year 7 and 8 at school in the build up to Common Entrance exams. We have a number of CE specialists across all subjects who would be delighted to help! You can find full details of the Common Entrance syllabus and exam structure on the ISEB website, and we're always happy to point families towards the resources and past papers that have worked best for our students.