Marlborough College entrance exam prep: how to prepare for 13+ entry

Preparing for Marlborough College? Marlborough College in Marlborough admits pupils at 13+, 16+. Its entry process includes ISEB Pre-Tests, Short writing task, Interactive group activities. This guide explains what Marlborough College assesses, when, and how your child can practise the core skills at home.

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What Marlborough College assesses

Marlborough bases 13+ selection on the ISEB pre-tests, a school reference and an assessment day. The assessment day includes a short writing task, interactive group activities and an interview.

Timing: Pre-tests run from September to December of Year 6, followed by an assessment day in January; the Year 7 route has its assessment day in February.

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 5: Strengthen core maths and English and introduce reasoning question types used in the ISEB Common Pre-Test.
  2. Year 6: Timed ISEB-style practice across English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning ahead of the Pre-Test.
  3. 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 Marlborough College entrance assessment involve?

Marlborough bases 13+ selection on the ISEB pre-tests, a school reference and an assessment day. The assessment day includes a short writing task, interactive group activities and an interview.

When does Marlborough College test applicants?

Pre-tests run from September to December of Year 6, followed by an assessment day in January; the Year 7 route has its assessment day in February.

Which entry points does Marlborough College offer?

Marlborough College admits pupils at 13+, 16+.

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 Marlborough College?

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 Marlborough College?

No. Pass Masters is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Marlborough College. 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.