ISEB

The Independent Schools Examinations Board is probably best known for producing the Common Entrance examinations which boys and girls sit to gain entry to some of the best independent schools in the UK and overseas. The examinations are set by highly qualified and experienced teachers from the country’s leading schools and are widely regarded as the gold standard for assessment at 11+ and 13+.

In recent years, the Board has added considerably to the range of assessments it offers. In particular, the online and adaptive Common Pre-Tests have transformed the selection process for many pupils. Tiered papers and scholarship examinations are also available in a wide range of subjects, together with new online, auto-marked assessments in Mandarin Chinese, which can be taken at any age.

Core principles

The Board’s core principles can be summarized as follows:

Quality and scope of examinations

ISEB strives to produce gold-standard examinations and assessments, including paper-based and online assessments and to provide for all pupils in the assessment process.

Educational developments

ISEB monitors educational developments and technological advances nationally and internationally in order to ensure that its examinations are relevant, fit for purpose and at the forefront of global assessment.

Communication

ISEB communicates constructively with the educational community which it serves, including all schools and groups which may have an interest in using the Board’s assessments or expertise, and parents who require advice and guidance.

Consultation and feedback

ISEB seeks to consult widely with its users about the content of its syllabuses and the appropriateness, quality and style of its examinations and assessments. Feedback is sought through consultation meetings, surveys, CPD days, and regional and national conferences.

Links with educational publishers

ISEB maintains close links with educational publishers and providers to provide high-quality resources to support its syllabuses and examinations.

Sustainability

ISEB ensures that sustainability is considered within every core decision taken.