
Downe House School

In their own words
There is no such thing as a ‘typical Downe House girl’
When a girl joins Downe House we provide an environment that both supports her development and celebrates her individuality – there is no such thing as a ‘typical Downe House girl’.
What girls do have in common however, is that they are challenged academically and are given as many opportunities as possible to become the women that they want to be. We encourage and support girls as they identify and develop their academic strengths, and we provide almost limitless opportunities to become accomplished musicians, actors, athletes, artists – wherever their talents and ambitions take them.
Downe House girls excel, and they do so because they enjoy what they do. As one parent said, ‘we couldn’t be more thrilled.’
Be kind, work hard, aim high
We want to ignite a love of learning and be sure that when your daughter leaves Downe House, she will believe that there is nothing she cannot achieve in the world.
Of course, academic results matter greatly to us and we expect girls to aspire to excellence in all they do, both in the classroom and beyond. However, we place equal importance on equipping every girl with a well-established work ethic and a core set of traditional values, skills and beliefs that will allow her to flourish in today’s rapidly changing world.
With only girls in the classroom, in the science labs, on stage and on the sports field, both intellectual and physical confidence can grow without any stereotyping or gender-weighted expectations.
The admissions process uses the online ISEB Common Pre Test (sometimes referred to as the Common Entrance Exam). This exam has a specific format and structure, includes a range of predictable questions types and is taken in an online/computer environment. Students should pay particular attention to the Non-Verbal and Verbal-Reasoning modules, as these sections may include question types they have never encountered before.
We have partnered with the test experts at Ready Steady Pass, to bring you the most accurate and best value ISEB practise material. These exams are audited by AQA and EdExcel exam markers, and ISI independent school inspectors. Tests are taken online, include unlimited resits and emailed results including answer sheets to share with tutors and parents.
Each individual exam contains a full ISEB Common Pre Test experience, covering Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Buy the Bundle or Complete Collection to get the best value for money.
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What questions can I expect?
The ISEB Common Pre Test is a combination of 4 individual exams, all of which are set in a multiple choice, online environment. The exams vary every year, but you can expect to find all or most of the below in this year's test.
Mathematics
Calculations
Money
Place value
Statistics and data
Fractions, decimals, and percentages
Triangles and angles
Area and perimeter
Units and measurement
English
Reading and comprehension
Vocabulary and spelling
Literary devices
Verbal Reasoning
Code breaking
Word meanings
Missing letters
Pairing synonyms
Pairing antonyms
Word combinations
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Visual codes
Missing shapes and shape sequences
Matching shapes
Net-to-cube
Cube-to-net