Introduction
The UK independent school system is an intricate world, but nowhere is this more true than in London. The heated ecosystem of preparation, tutoring, and competition is something that many parents and educators outside of the city struggle to comprehend.
The contradictions are striking - schools explicitly advise against tutoring while parents quietly invest in extensive preparation, best friends withholding details of their tutors, strategies, and resources, and families scouring for the slightest advantage in exam preparation, activity days, and interviews. It is, in a word, brutal and sometimes feels like The Hunger Games.
I find myself constantly torn. As an educator, I strive to be transparent about the realities of the exam process, but I must also balance honesty with the need to avoid alarming parents. What I know would make some people’s hair curl! There is a huge spectrum of preparation from steady weekly tuition to more intense term-time weekday and weekend schedules with travelling tuition throughout the holidays.
Key Takeaways
Preparation varies by child: Factors such as past schooling, home languages, and learning styles influence when to begin.
Start early but maintain balance: Many families begin informal learning at age 5, while others start serious preparation for the 7+.
Exam competition is intense: London independent schools often have 10–15 applicants per place.
Each stage requires different focus areas: From literacy foundations at ages 5–6 to Oxbridge preparation at ages 16–18.
Confidence and mindset are key: Academic preparation must be paired with the right mindset and resilience.
One of the most common questions I am asked is: When should my child start preparing? The answer, unsurprisingly, is complex.
There are different starting positions, past experiences/schooling, languages spoken at home, special educational needs, teaching and learning styles and so there is never a one-size fits all answer in terms of time or frequency. Constant monitoring of progress is key to adjust provision to ensure goals are met.
Some families begin the process informally from the age of five (or earlier if prepping for the 4+), building the foundations and enjoying learning without time pressure. While others choose complete freedom and then a scramble to catch up after their first attempt at 7+ leaves them sobered by the level of competition.
In my experience, here’s a general overview of how preparation often unfolds in the independent sector - a very broad brush.
The Entrance Exam Preparation Timeline: A Step-by-Step Approach
Ages 5–6: Early Foundations
At this stage, preparation should be gentle and focused on building curiosity, verbal confidence, and foundational literacy and numeracy.
The best work parents can do is to foster a love of learning, vocabulary, storytelling, and discussion.
Many London parents hire tutors before this time, especially if preparing for the 4+ given the very specific preparation required for the 7+ entrance examinations.
Ages 7–8: First Major Testing Points – 7+ and 8+
The 7+ exam is often the first realisation for parents that competition is fiercer than expected. Many enter believing that ‘natural ability’ will suffice with a few tweaking sessions, only to find that the majority of their child’s peers have been extensively tutored.
The ‘shadow schooling’ begins to intensify.
It is often the parents of their first child that typically tell me they were naïve and didn’t quite realise the full picture, their approach is significantly different with their younger children.
The parents who are caught off-guard at this stage either reattempt the process at 8+ with a more rigorous plan or begin consistent tuition leading up to 11+.
Data from leading independent schools shows that for top-tier schools such as St Paul’s, Westminster Under, Latymer, Bute and King’s College School, the competition can be extreme. Reports suggest that for every available place, there can be 10–15 applicants, the majority of whom have engaged in significant preparation.
Ages 9–10: 11+ Groundwork
For those aiming at competitive 11+ schools, the preparation escalates.
Reading comprehension (with many schools setting GCSE and A-Level texts, the level is high), advanced maths, creative and personal response writing, and verbal/non-verbal reasoning become focal points.
Many parents opt for structured tuition, practice papers and mock exams.
The transparency gap widens here - parents are often reluctant to share the extent of their child’s preparation or share the details of strong tutors.
While schools may discourage tutoring, data from educational consultancies indicates that over 70% of children sitting the 11+ in London have had some form of additional tuition. This is widely considered a conservative statistic.
Ages 11–13: 13+ Common Entrance & Pre-Tests
Some might think that post 11+ it all relaxes until GCSE examinations, however many families are looking to ensure top set places at their new school.
Goals are often top set, wanting to be pushed for that clean sheet of GCSEs ready for an Oxbridge campaign. It might sound unbelievable, but it is not unusual at all.
For boys heading to schools like Eton or Harrow the ISEB pre-tests (sat in Year 6), then their own tests and finally the 13+ Common Entrance exams mean sustained preparation.
Some parents mistakenly believe they can relax post-11+, only to find themselves needing to ‘pull up their socks’ and reset to keep climbing onward to face the continued 13+ process.
Many families approach us at this stage if their preparations were not as effective as expected, requiring a re-evaluation of their strategy.
Confidence-building is just as crucial as academic gaps at this stage.
Ages 14–16: GCSEs and Early University Preparation
If you took a break after the 11+ it is at this point students have chosen their GCSE subjects and committed support is put in place to optimise chances of strong public exam results.
Many ambitious families are already thinking ahead to A-level subject choices and university entrance.
Scholarship exams, American university profiles and early Oxbridge preparation begin here, particularly for those targeting the most competitive fields such as Medicine, Law and Economics.
Ages 16–18: A-Levels and University Applications
For the highest-achieving students, the intensity shifts to personal statements, admissions tests (such as the HAA/HAT, NSAA, UCAT, TSA, LNAT, and BMAT), and interview preparation.
Those aiming for Oxbridge, Ivy League schools, or highly competitive courses need tailored support to refine their applications, planning activities that evidence commitment outside of school studies and interview performance.
The Reality of Exam Preparation: What Every Parent Needs to Know
The reality is that many parents underestimate how rigorous and competitive these processes are until they have experienced them firsthand. I have to admit, even teaching in the top schools I was not aware of all the preparation that was happening.
First-time parents often believe the process cannot be as tough as it is described, suspecting scare mongering and that their bright child will be fine - until they miss out on a place at a coveted school. The deflation when I meet parents is painful. They need to heal from the process and their eyes are certainly wide open.
For some families, this realisation comes too late, and they must either try again at 8+, or begin intensive tuition at 9+ and beyond to close the gap. This is why we meet so many families after a disappointing first attempt, who are determined to change their approach. Trust is important and that is built with complete transparency and open communication.
Striking the Right Balance: Transparency and Reassurance
As an educator, I have an ethical responsibility to be transparent with parents. However, I also recognise that not every child or family wants to be caught in the intensity of the London independent school machine. I have some families who want balance and have moved to Monaco or Milan and prepare from a distance.
They know their International or British School will not specifically prepare for UK entrance examinations; they have consciously decided upon a less intense journey but factor in tuition that keeps them abreast of London peers. Ultimately, each family must decide how far they want to go and what is right for their child and family.
Parents should not feel pressured to conform to the hidden, competitive world of shadow education. But they should be aware of what they are up against. Whether they choose to follow the full preparation roadmap or take a more relaxed approach, being informed is the most important factor – there is no right or wrong.
For those who find themselves in the position of needing to start again - whether at 8+, 11+, or beyond—there is always a way forward:
Examinations do not define us.
Confidence, mindset, strategy, and tailored preparation can make a significant difference.
The key is to know what is needed before it’s too late and be in a position to make the choices that are right for you.
As a single parent myself, who has been through this process too, please know that I understand the pressure. Yes, it might look perfect – my son was an academic scholar at his prep school, boarding school and at the University of Cambridge but every stage of his education was carefully considered.
Top 5 Questions and Answers
1. Is it ever too early to start preparing for entrance exams?
No, but preparation should be age-appropriate. At ages 5–6, focus on a love for learning rather than structured test prep.
2. What if my child hasn’t started preparing and the exam is in a year?
Intensive tuition and targeted study plans can help, but mindset and confidence-building are just as important.
3. Do all students need tutors for entrance exams?
No, but over 70% of 11+ candidates in London receive tuition, which affects competition levels.
4. How can we balance academic preparation and emotional wellbeing?
Ensure structured study with breaks, hobbies, and confidence-building exercises.
5. What if my child doesn’t pass the entrance exam?
There are alternative pathways such as retaking at 8+, choosing a different school or system, or re-evaluating preparation strategies.
Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice for Your Family
Navigating the UK independent school entrance exam process can be overwhelming, but understanding the preparation timeline can ease the journey. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and each family must decide on the right strategy based on their child’s needs.
Many parents underestimate the rigour of these exams, only realising the full intensity after their first experience. Whether starting at 4+ or reassessing at 11+ or 13+, tailored support makes a difference.
If your family is navigating school entrance exams and needs expert guidance, Fortis Education is here to help. We offer personalised tuition, mock exams, and strategy planning to help your child succeed with confidence.
Contact us today to start your child’s journey: Email Us or visit Fortis Education.
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