What is the difference between Common Entrance, CASE, and Common Pre-Tests?

Common Entrance, offered at 11+ and 13+, is an assessment taken by children as part of their entrance applications to senior independent schools. Pupils sitting Common Entrance at 11+ take assessments in English, Mathematics and Science when they are in Year 6. Pupils taking Common Entrance at 13+ also sit assessments in these core subjects, alongside papers selected from a wide range of humanities, languages and classical subjects.

Common Academic Scholarship Examinations (CASE ) are scholarship exams based on the CE at 13+ specifications and taken at 13+. Pupils sitting CASE assessments are entered by the senior schools they have applied to, who choose which papers pupils will sit. Senior schools also mark the papers. Pupils will usually sit the exam at the senior school.

We offer more information about the Common Entrance and CASE examination on the CE information for families page of our website.

The Common Pre-Tests are a series of online, adaptive tests used to assess pupils’ attainment when they are in Year 6 or 7, prior to entry to senior schools. Children taking the Common Pre-Tests will sit four tests in a multiple-choice format; English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Visit the Common Pre-Tests Knowledge Base and the Common Pre-Tests information for families for more information.