Take the stress out of ISEB exam prep
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Atom is partnered with leading independent schools







Everything your child needs to know for the ISEB exam.




Atom's ISEB mocks = no surprises on test day
The most accurate ISEB mock tests on the market.
Our mock tests mirror the real ISEB. The curriculum, the timings, the controls and even the colours. Familiarity equals confidence.






of Atom kids received an offer to their first-choice school in 2025.
Exam Prep
Start ISEB preparation for independent school exams. Mock tests not included.
Suitable from Year 3 onwards.
Exam Prep Plus
Complete ISEB preparation for independent school exams, with unlimited mock tests.
Suitable from Year 3 onwards.
Exam Prep
Start preparing for 11+ grammar and private school exams.
Exam Prep Plus
Boost preparation for 11+ grammar and private school exams.
Looking for ISEB advice?
We’re here to support you through your child’s ISEB journey.
Whether you want help building a revision plan, understanding ISEB exam content, or checking key dates, our team is happy to help.

Free ISEB resources to get started
The ultimate ISEB guide
How to choose the right independent school
Guide to senior school interviews
Bursaries explained
Applying to UK schools from abroad
Atom or Century Bond? How to choose
Verbal reasoning guide
Non-verbal reasoning guide
The ISEB Pre-Test explained
Frequently Asked Questions
The ISEB (Independent Schools Examination Board) Common Pre-Test is an online exam used by many independent senior schools as part of their admissions process.
The test adapts to your child as they work through it. As they answer questions correctly, the questions gradually become more challenging. This helps schools build a clearer picture of your child’s ability across key areas.
Atom helps your child prepare by familiarising them with the format, question styles and pace of the exam.
Learn more about what the ISEB Common Pre-Test involves in our guide.
The ISEB test is scored using a standardised age score (SAS). This adjusts results based on your child’s age, so younger and older children are assessed fairly.
There isn’t a set pass mark for the ISEB. Each school decides its own admissions criteria. Each senior school sets its own admissions criteria. As a general guide, selective schools often look for children performing within the top 25% of their age group. For the most competitive independent schools, a good standardised age score to aim for is 120 or above.
Your child’s score is shared with all the senior schools you’ve applied to. Schools don’t usually share these results with parents, but they use them to decide whether to move your child to the next stage of the admissions process.
This next stage may include a school interview, further assessments, or a school-specific entrance exam.
Because requirements vary between schools, understanding what comes next — and how to prepare — can make a real difference. If you’d like personalised advice, you can chat with one of our Education Experts via LiveChat in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
A balanced, structured approach works best when preparing for the ISEB exam.
Your child should feel secure with core maths and English skills before moving on to exam-style practice. This gives them a strong foundation and helps practice sessions feel productive rather than overwhelming.
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning aren’t part of the national curriculum, so regular practice at home is important. Introducing these question types early helps your child become familiar with the format, reducing pressure later on.
By exam day, the aim is for your child to focus on problem-solving, not on working out what the questions are asking.
Learn more about what the ISEB Common Pre-Test involves in our guide.
The ISEB Common Pre-Test assesses four subjects:
- Maths: 40 minutes
- English (reading comprehension and SPaG): 40 minutes
- Non-verbal reasoning: 30 minutes
- Verbal reasoning: 25 minutes
Each section is designed to assess your child’s underlying skills rather than rote learning, which is why becoming familiar with the question styles is so important.
Find out more about what's included in the ISEB in our guide.
We've mirrored everything – the curriculum, question types, timing and scoring. We want to help you and your child have an exam day with no surprises! If they practise mock tests on Atom, they'll know exactly what to expect.
We recommend 30-minute sessions on Atom, totalling around 2 hours a week. Spread your child's exam prep out across the week. Atom lets your child learn whenever and wherever suits your family.
No — Atom is designed for children to use independently. It’s simple to navigate, and the helpsheets and videos guide your child as they learn new skills and grow in confidence. You can still stay involved by checking their progress and scores anytime.
No other platform brings together smart adaptive learning, teacher-written content and expert guidance all in one place. And you’re never on your own — our friendly team is here to help by LiveChat, phone or email.
You can also join our parent webinars for honest, helpful tips on exam prep and school admissions.
As well as fun things like coins to collect and worlds to explore, our algorithm is hard at work behind the scenes. Atom continually adapts in difficulty to fit your child's learning style and pace. This keeps them challenged – without demotivating them.