Downe House Entrance Exams

How entry to Downe House works

Downe House uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test as part of its admissions. It is an online, adaptive test in four parts: English (40 minutes), maths (40 minutes), non-verbal reasoning (30 minutes) and verbal reasoning (25 minutes). A child sits it once, and the scores are shared with each school that asks for them.

Because the test adapts to each answer, confident accuracy matters more than speed alone, and verbal reasoning is often the section that separates strong candidates.

Downe House also sets its own assessments. Depending on the entry point, these can include written papers, reasoning tests, an interview or a group activity, and they are where the school looks most closely at how a child thinks.

For 13+ entry (joining in Year 9), many schools assess children in Year 6 or Year 7, well before they start, so the timetable is worth checking early.

Dates and requirements change from year to year, so always check the latest details on the school’s website.

How I help children prepare for Downe House

• 1:1 online lessons in English comprehension and writing, maths and reasoning (verbal and non-verbal), with the exam technique for each
• Practice matched to Downe House’s assessments and mock papers under real timings
• Interview practice, so children can talk about themselves and their interests with confidence
• Ash’s Exam Zone app for daily practice between lessons

My Downe House guide sets out the full process, the key dates, and a preparation plan, and my mock papers let children practise under real timings.