4Preparation AreasISEB • School-Specific • Exam Practice • Interview Prep
Entrance exams
Understand 7+, 12+ & 13+ Entrance Exams
Different Entry Points. Different Expectations. The Right Preparation Matters.
Independent School entrance assessments can vary significantly by age, target school, academic level and assessment format. Some schools focus heavily on English and Maths, while others may include reasoning, creative writing, school-specific papers or interviews.
We help parents understand the requirements for their child’s chosen entry point and create a preparation pathway based on their current level, target school and areas requiring support.
Not Sure Which Route Your Child Needs?
Tell us your child’s current year, target school, entry point and areas of concern, and our team will recommend the most suitable preparation pathway.
Typically for entry into Year 3, the 7+ assessment focuses on building strong early academic foundations while checking how confidently a child can apply core skills.
Preparation may include reading fluency, vocabulary, sentence structure, problem solving, timed activities and age-appropriate interview practice.
Typically for entry into Year 8, the 12+ requires stronger subject knowledge, reasoning ability and greater independence when working through entrance-style questions.
Students may need support with advanced problem solving, exam technique, speed and accuracy, timed practice and target-school question formats.
Typically for entry into Year 9, the 13+ can involve more demanding academic assessments and may include ISEB/Common Entrance or school-specific examinations, depending on the school.
Preparation focuses on strong subject knowledge, higher-level reasoning, exam technique, timed papers, school-specific practice and interview confidence.
Entrance-style mock tests designed to help your child experience timed test conditions, identify weaker areas and prepare confidently for their target school.
How We Prepare Your Child for 7+ / 12+ / 13+ Success
A Personalised Journey from Strong Foundations to Entrance-Exam Confidence
Our approach is built around your child’s current level, entry point and target school — combining strong foundations, focused practice, regular assessment and school-specific preparation.
1
Initial Assessment
Understand your child’s current level, strengths and learning gaps.
2
Personalised Preparation Plan
Create the right pathway based on 7+, 12+ or 13+, target school and entrance requirements.
3
Core Skill Building
Strengthen English, Maths, comprehension, writing and reasoning skills.
4
Targeted Practice
Focus on weaker areas and high-priority entrance topics.
5
Entrance-Style Question Training
Build confidence with relevant question formats and problem-solving techniques.
6
School-Specific Preparation
Practise according to the requirements of your child’s target school.
7
Weekly Progress Checks
Monitor understanding, accuracy and areas needing further support.
8
Timed Practice & Mock Tests
Improve speed, accuracy, time management and exam confidence.
9
Feedback & Parent Updates
Keep parents informed about progress, strengths and next priorities.
10
Targeted Improvement
Revisit weak areas, provide extra support and prepare confidently for the entrance assessment.
Why Dominis
Why Choose Dominis?
Focused Support for Every Stage of the Exam Journey
01
Live & Interactive Sessions
Engaging lessons with real-time tutor support.
02
1-to-1 & Small Groups
Personalised attention based on each student’s needs.
03
Board-Specific Preparation
Teaching aligned with the relevant exam board and specification.
04
Experienced Subject Tutors
Strong subject knowledge with exam-focused guidance.
05
Weekly Assessments
Regular checks to track understanding and progress.
06
Past-Paper & Exam Practice
Structured preparation using exam-style and past-paper questions.
07
Timed Mock Tests
Build speed, accuracy and confidence under exam conditions.
08
Detailed Feedback
Clear guidance on mistakes, weak areas and next steps.
09
Doubt-Clearing Support
Extra help for difficult topics and unresolved questions.
10
Progress Reviews
Regular monitoring to keep learning priorities on track.
11
Flexible Scheduling
Sessions arranged around school and study commitments.
The 7+, 12+ and 13+ are selective entrance assessments used by some independent and selective schools for admission at different entry points. The exact format varies by school and may include English, Maths, Reasoning, Comprehension, Creative Writing and Interviews, depending on the target school.
At what age do students usually take the 7+, 12+ and 13+ exams?
The 7+ is usually for entry around Year 3, the 12+ is often used for later-entry admission depending on the school, and the 13+ is commonly associated with entry into Year 9. Exact age, year group and admissions arrangements vary by school, so parents should always check the target school’s current admissions information.
Which subjects are tested in the 7+, 12+ and 13+?
This depends on the school, but preparation may include English, Mathematics, Comprehension, Creative Writing, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Some schools may also include interviews, additional subject papers or school-specific assessments.
Is every 7+, 12+ and 13+ exam the same?
No. There is no single national format for these entrance exams. Subjects, question types, difficulty, timing, interview process and admissions criteria can vary significantly between schools, which is why preparation should be based on the specific target school and entry route.
When should my child start preparing?
There is no single correct starting point. It depends on your child’s current academic level, target school, entry point, weak areas and the time available before the exam. Starting earlier allows more time to strengthen core skills, while students beginning later may need a more focused preparation plan.
Does Dominis provide school-specific preparation?
Yes, where the target school’s current assessment requirements are available. Preparation can be adapted around the target school, entry level, subjects tested, question style, interview requirements and available admissions information. Parents should share the target school name when making an enquiry.
Do you prepare students for interviews as well as written tests?
Where interviews form part of the admissions process, preparation may include support with clear communication, confidence, answering questions thoughtfully, discussing interests and learning, and expressing ideas clearly. The aim is to help students communicate naturally and confidently rather than memorise scripted answers.
Do you offer 1-to-1 and small-group 7+ / 12+ / 13+ tuition?
Yes. 1-to-1 tuition suits highly personalised preparation, school-specific requirements and targeted weak-area support. Small-group tuition suits students who benefit from structured teaching, guided practice and interactive learning.
Do you provide mock tests for 7+, 12+ and 13+ preparation?
Yes, where appropriate. Mock tests can help students improve timing, accuracy, exam technique, question familiarity and confidence. They also help identify which areas need further preparation before the actual assessment.
Can my child book a free 7+ / 12+ / 13+ demo session?
Yes. Parents can book a FREE demo session to discuss the entry level, target school, subjects, current academic level, weak areas and exam preparation requirements.
7+ / 12+ / 13+ Preparation
Still Have Questions About 7+ / 12+ / 13+ Preparation?
Every school can have different entry requirements, assessment formats and expectations. Speak to our Academic Support Team if you need help understanding:
Which entrance exam your child is preparing for
What their target school assesses
Which subjects or skills need the most attention
When preparation should begin
Whether 1-to-1 or small-group tuition may be more suitable