The entrance to Lady Eleanor Holles School involves a highly competitive two-stage process. This begins with the ISEB Common Pre-Test, assessing English, Maths, and Reasoning. This is followed by a demanding second round featuring a school-written problem-solving paper.
Stage 1a: ISEB Common Pre-Test
This initial stage acts as an online filter to identify top academic performers. It is an adaptive assessment administered externally by ISEB.
Subjects Tested:
- English: Focuses on reading comprehension, accurate sentence completion, advanced spelling, and precise punctuation skills.
- Maths: Evaluates mathematical ability relative to the Year 5 national curriculum, testing mental arithmetic speed.
- Verbal Reasoning: Evaluates logical thinking and problem-solving using words, letters, and number codes.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Assesses spatial awareness and the innate ability to identify patterns using 2D shapes and 3D diagrams.
Format Specificity: All questions are in a multiple-choice format. Students answer online or use an OMR sheet, requiring precise shading accuracy.
Timing: The online test lasts approximately 2.5 hours in total. It features strictly timed sub-sections for each specific subject area, demanding rapid mental processing.
Stage 1b: Problem-Solving Assessment
Alongside the pre-test, all applicants are required to attend LEH to sit a bespoke Problem-Solving Entrance Examination. This written paper takes place in early December.
The assessment is specifically designed to evaluate how students approach unfamiliar problems. Rather than relying on memorised knowledge, it focuses on a candidate’s ability to apply logical thinking and develop effective strategies to solve 11+ style questions in new contexts.
Stage 2: The Interview
After the assessments, the Admissions Panel carefully reviews performance in both Stage 1a and Stage 1b. Shortlisted candidates are then invited back to LEH for an interview in January.
Conducted by senior teaching staff, this session allows the school to explore each candidate’s curiosity, interests, and willingness to learn.
To prepare, parents may find it helpful to go through common 11+ interview questions with their child, helping them feel confident, thoughtful, and at ease during the conversation.