A VISUAL PARENT GUIDE · CHECKED 20 OCTOBER 2026
The route to entry.
Clear at a glance.
See when each stage happens, what it involves and where preparation can help.
ENTRY AGE ≠ ASSESSMENT YEAR
Why 13+ can start in Year 6.
Westminster and St Paul’s routes shown below. Other schools may use different stages and timings.
CHOOSE A SCHOOL & ENTRY ROUTE
Your assessment timeline.
All four registration deadlines have passed. These upcoming assessments are for existing applicants.
SEPTEMBER 2027 ENTRY
Westminster 11+
Join Westminster Under School in Year 7, then progress to Westminster School in Year 9 without further entry tests.
- Registration closed30 Sep 2026Application deadline
- ISEB pre-tests23 Nov 2026At Westminster; by 7 Dec if elsewhere
- Written papers9 Jan 2027For shortlisted candidates
- Interview & activities20 or 25 Jan 2027For selected candidates
- OffersBy 1 Feb 2027Accept by noon, 3 March
Stages shown in sequence, not to time scale. Progression depends on the school’s selection decisions.
KS2 understanding applied to problems.
Reading and accurate, fluent writing.
Genuine interests, ideas and responses.
MY PREPARATION FOCUSNumber fluency → a clear written method → explaining the thinking.
Route details, date checks & official sources
This route suits children whose current school finishes in Year 6. You cannot apply for Westminster 11+ and 13+ at the same time.
Date check: the 2027 entry booklet gives January interviews; the general webpage still says February. Follow your child’s invitation.
SEPTEMBER 2029 ENTRY
Westminster 13+
Selection in Year 6 for pupils staying at their prep school through Year 8, before joining Westminster in Year 9.
- Registration closed30 Sep 2026Deadline: 30 September of Year 6
- ISEB pre-testsOct–Nov 2026School report requested in November
- ShortlistMid-Dec 2026Invitation to the next stage
- Written papersEarly Jan 2027Maths and English
- Interview & decisionJan–Feb 2027Separate interview; decisions by end-Feb
Stages shown in sequence, not to time scale. Progression depends on the school’s selection decisions.
Fluency and unfamiliar problems.
Further written assessment.
Responding and explaining ideas.
MY PREPARATION FOCUSSecure foundations → unfamiliar problems → a thoughtful discussion.
Route details, date checks & official sources
The registration date follows the published rule: registration closes on 30 September of Year 6. The school gives periods, rather than exact days, for this cohort’s assessments.
An offer carries expectations of continued academic progress, good conduct and a supportive Year 8 reference. A further standard entrance examination in Year 8 is not a universal requirement.
The 11+ timetable does not apply to this route. Confirm the individual arrangements in your invitation.
SEPTEMBER 2027 ENTRY
St Paul’s 11+
Boys join St Paul’s Prep School in Year 7, then transfer to St Paul’s School in Year 9. Intended for schools finishing at Year 6.
- Registration closed16 Oct 2026Application deadline
- ISEB pre-tests14 Nov 2026The sitting at St Paul’s
- Written papers9 Dec 2026For shortlisted candidates
- Interviews14–19 Jan 202714, 15, 18 or 19 January
- Offers12 Feb 2027Accept by noon, 2 March
Stages shown in sequence, not to time scale. Progression depends on the school’s selection decisions.
Number work, calculations and harder problems.
Comprehension, analysis and composition.
Applying ideas and explaining a response.
MY PREPARATION FOCUSSecure arithmetic → organised problem-solving → calm explanation.
Route details, date checks & official sources
The ISEB date shown is the sitting at St Paul’s. If testing elsewhere, confirm your deadline with the school.
Candidates generally choose between the 11+ and 13+ processes; the official route page explains the St Paul’s School Group exception. The linked syllabus uses the older name, St Paul’s Juniors.
SEPTEMBER 2029 ENTRY
St Paul’s 13+
Boys are assessed in Year 6 for Year 9 entry. Selection also considers a report from the current headteacher.
- Registration closed16 Oct 2026Application deadline
- ISEB pre-tests1 Oct–20 Nov 2026St Paul’s sitting: 20 November if needed
- Written papers5 Jan 2027Shortlisted Maths and English
- Interviews30 Jan / 6 Feb 2027For shortlisted candidates
- DecisionsWeek of 22 Feb 2027Check your individual offer conditions
Stages shown in sequence, not to time scale. Progression depends on the school’s selection decisions.
Increasingly demanding, multi-step problems.
Developing a reasoned argument.
Interpretation, wider interests and conversation.
MY PREPARATION FOCUSMathematical reasoning → clear working → flexible responses.
Route details, date checks & official sources
Confirm the Maths duration: the selection page says 75 minutes; its linked guidance says 70 including reading. Use your invitation.
Offers normally require continued progress, conduct and a supportive Year 8 reference. Extra academic conditions may apply depending on the pupil’s curriculum. Some candidates are invited back for assessment in Year 8; this is a separate outcome, not a universal final test.
Later rows on the school’s dates page have inconsistent cohort labels. No final Year 8 or scholarship date is asserted here.
St Paul’s means the boys’ School and Prep School; St Paul’s Girls’ has a separate process. Westminster welcomes boys and girls for the cohorts shown.
INSIDE THE ISEB COMMON PRE-TESTS
Four tests.
2 hours 15 minutes altogether.
Online, adaptive and multiple-choice. The chart shows standard test lengths, not difficulty or the order in which tests must be taken.
ISEB standard test duration: Maths 40 minutes, English 40 minutes, verbal reasoning 25 minutes, non-verbal reasoning 30 minutes. Total 135 minutes. Tests may be sat together or separately.
- No calculatorPen and paper for rough work
- Check, then submitNo skipping or going back
- One set of resultsResults shared with nominated schools
Full subject coverage & how adaptive testing works
Maths: number, calculations, fractions, decimals, percentages, measure, geometry and statistics, applied to problems.
English: comprehension, inference, vocabulary in context, grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Verbal reasoning: word and letter problems, vocabulary and logical thinking.
Non-verbal reasoning: patterns in two-dimensional diagrams and spatial reasoning with three-dimensional figures.
Questions change in response to earlier answers. Results are age-standardised and shared with participating schools to which your child is applying. Pupils normally sit once in the testing session.
Work steadily, check before submitting and move on calmly after uncertainty. “Skip and return” strategies may suit written papers, but not these tests. Confirm any individual access arrangements with the school.
HOW I HELP
A clear next step,
at every stage.
- 01Confirm the stage
School, entry year and the next assessment.
- 02Choose priorities
Find the knowledge or method that needs work.
- 03Practise with feedback
Work through an idea, then explain it.
- 04Try independently
A fresh question, with fewer prompts.
My focus is Maths, test technique and natural academic discussion. The guide explains English and reasoning tests too; specialist tuition in those components sits outside this offer.
Independent guidance, with no school or ISEB affiliation. Confirm dates, requirements and individual arrangements with the school.
TALK DIRECTLY WITH YOUR CHILD’S TUTOR
Your free
15-minute parent call.
Which stage is your child preparing for? Bring the target school, entry year and confirmed assessment date. We’ll discuss the Maths, test technique or academic interview practice that fits.
- Choose a time
Use the live calendar and check the time zone.
- Talk with Raphael
Discuss priorities, lesson times and your questions on Google Meet.
- Decide on the next step
If it fits, arrange one paid diagnostic. There is no obligation to continue.
For parents and guardians. No payment is taken for this call. School reports are not needed.
A clear place
to start.
Opens Calendly. Your call is booked once you complete its confirmation.
What should I share when booking?
Your child’s year group, target schools and main concern are enough. Add an assessment date if you know it, using Calendly’s optional preparation box.
60 minutes with a diagnostic, written priorities and follow-up practice.
No compulsory package. Terms agreed before payment.
Prefer to enquire by email?
hello@raphaeleducation.co.uk