Downe House entrance exam prep: how to prepare for 11+ entry

Preparing for Downe House? Downe House is a girls' day and boarding school in Cold Ash, admitting pupils at 11+, 12+, 13+, 16+. Its entry process includes ISEB Common Pre-Test, Creative or persuasive writing, Interview. This guide explains what Downe House assesses, when, and how your child can practise the core skills at home.

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What Downe House assesses

Assessment combines testing with writing, an interview and activities. Day applicants may take an alternative computerised CEM test where their current school does not support the ISEB test.

Timing: 11+ and 12+ boarding assessments take place in the autumn before entry; 13+ boarding assessment is in autumn of Year 6.

How Pass Masters helps

English

Comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar practice that gets harder as your child improves, with step-by-step explanations.

Maths

Arithmetic, problem solving, fractions, ratio, geometry and data questions pitched to your child's year, from Year 3 up to early KS3 stretch work in Year 7.

Verbal reasoning

Codes, word links, missing letters, analogies and sequences in weekly topic islands, plus timed CAT4 and ISEB-style papers.

Non-verbal reasoning

Shape patterns, rotations, reflections, nets and matrices, drawn as clear diagrams so children learn to spot the rule.

ISEB-style timed tests

Full timed papers in the four Pre-Test areas so your child gets used to working at pace on screen before the real thing.

Miss Obstein, our AI tutor

In topic practice and subject quizzes, Miss Obstein gives hints without giving away answers, then explains mistakes once your child has answered.

Suggested practice timeline

  1. Year 4: Build confidence and two-step reasoning across a wide range of topics, a little and often.
  2. Year 5: Deepen maths and English, start verbal and non-verbal reasoning in earnest, and add light timing.
  3. Year 6 (autumn): Timed, exam-style practice papers in the months before Downe House's 11+ assessments.
  4. Year 5: Strengthen core maths and English and introduce reasoning question types used in the ISEB Common Pre-Test.
  5. Year 6: Timed ISEB-style practice across English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning ahead of the Pre-Test.
  6. Year 7: Early KS3 stretch work to keep skills sharp. For Year 8 Common Entrance or scholarship papers, your child will need extra subject study beyond Pass Masters.

Questions parents ask

What does the Downe House entrance assessment involve?

Assessment combines testing with writing, an interview and activities. Day applicants may take an alternative computerised CEM test where their current school does not support the ISEB test.

When does Downe House test applicants?

11+ and 12+ boarding assessments take place in the autumn before entry; 13+ boarding assessment is in autumn of Year 6.

Which entry points does Downe House offer?

Downe House admits pupils at 11+, 12+, 13+, 16+. It is a girls' day and boarding school in Cold Ash.

What is the ISEB Common Pre-Test?

An online, adaptive, multiple-choice test in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning that many independent schools use, usually taken in Year 6 or Year 7. Results are shared with the schools you register for.

Can Pass Masters help my child prepare for Downe House?

Pass Masters gives adaptive practice in English, maths, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning for Year 3 to Year 7, with timed CAT4, ISEB-style and 11+ papers. It does not cover interviews or Common Entrance subject papers. It is practice only and cannot guarantee a place.

Is Pass Masters linked to Downe House?

No. Pass Masters is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Downe House. We use the school's name only to describe what its admissions page says about entry.

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Facts checked on 2026-11-01. Pass Masters is an independent practice platform. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to this school, ISEB, GL Assessment, CEM or any exam board. Our questions are original practice material, not past papers. Entry requirements change, so always check the school's own admissions page.