Boarding School Admissions Preparation Course

In order to secure admission into a prestigious boarding school in the UK, aspiring students must successfully complete three essential stages: Registration, Entrance exam (UKiset/ CAT4/ ISEB) & Interview Progressing through these stages is critical, as each one is a prerequisite for the next. To ensure the highest chance of admission, it is important for students not to falter at any point during this process.

Our Tutors

Our tutorial programmes are delivered in person or online, led by tutors hailing from prestigious G5 universities. These tutors boast outstanding academic profiles and proven track records of elevating students' scores in as little as six months, enabling them to secure coveted spots in top UK independent schools. With a wealth of experience and exceptional academic backgrounds, our tutors are well-equipped to guide you through every aspect of the test and interview while imparting valuable tips for success.

Types of Entrance Exam:

CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test), ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board) and UKiset are among the most common assessments used in the UK independent school application process.

CAT4

  • The CAT4 is designed to give a rounded profile of a student’s ability and learning style, by measuring their strengths and areas for improvement across 4 different batteries: Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Spatial Ability.
  • CAT4 can be taken at different stages, and schools may administer it during the admissions process. Schools will set their own deadlines, students will be notified in due course if the CAT4 is part of the application process, and when to take it.
  • Certain schools use CAT4 to assess students’ academic potential, or further down the line for placing students into sets according to their ability.

ISEB Common Pre-Tests:

  • The ISEB Common Pre-Tests are adaptive computerised tests assessing student’s English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-verbal Reasoning ability.
  • They are typically taken by students at 11+ or 13+ entry level. The results are standardised to account for age variations across the school year, to ensure that older pupils in the cohort do not gain an advantage over younger ones.
  • The exact timing of the tests may vary depending on each individual school’s application process. Students should check with their desired schools to determine whether and when they require these tests, and plan accordingly.

UKiset:

  • UKiset is an adaptive assessment used by many UK boarding schools, and is often an initial screening tool in the admissions process for overseas applicants, to identify suitable candidates and help schools and families make informed decisions about their best-fit educational institutions. It is designed to indicate a student’s academic potential and English language skills.
  • After completion, students will receive a UKiset profile. It is a report that includes scores in the Verbal, Non-verbal and Mathematical Reasoning tests and their CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) level in English Reading and Listening.

Note: UKiset is not a replacement for the ISEB. It is a separate assessment that complements the application process.

Boarding School Admissions Preparation Course Courses

GCSE and A-Level Booster

Minimum Hours: 5
Tuition services are available for Year 10-13 students, and are delivered by expert tutors graduated from or studying in renowned universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and other G5 institutions. Our tutors’ extensive subject knowledge and understanding of exam specifications across different exam boards enable them to identify students’ gaps in knowledge and transfer the most valuable skills and tips for success, even supporting students throughout the length of their studies if necessary.

Interview Training

Minimum Hours: 6
School Interviews enable schools to get to know their prospective students. Schools have their own considerations when selecting candidates, so being able to present yourself to the interviewer is key to success. Our teachers are experienced in delivering comprehensive and interactive training so that students are ready for any interviews they may face.

UKiset / ISEB Mathematics & Non-verbal Reasoning

Minimum Hours: 8 for UKiset / 15 for ISEB
Mathematics Non-verbal Reasoning This section is centred around topics that commonly appear in 11+ tests such as the UKiset, which may not have been addressed by the student’s curriculum at school. Students will be taught how to use mathematical principles such as arithmetic, algebra and geometry to problem-solve, while generally strengthening their logic and numerical reasoning skills. Non-verbal reasoning essentially tests the ability to analyse visual information and solve problems based on visual reasoning, involving shapes, pictures and diagrams. Students will be exposed to different question types and taught systematic, efficient strategies to approach them, increasing their speed and improving their chances of success. How many hours? Typical Student Booking : 8 hours or more. For course outlines of our other entrance exam preparation courses, please ask an advisor.

ISEB English & Verbal Reasoning

Minimum Hours: 15
Designed to develop student’s knowledge of the paper formats, question types, and strategies to answer each type of ISEB 13+ Common Pre-Test question. Questions are selected from a mixture of past papers and custom created resources based on past entrance examinations.

UKiset English & Verbal Reasoning

Minimum Hours: 10
Designed to introduce students to all English-related areas of the UKiset and scaffolded to build up students’ skills in the following key communicational areas:

Entrance Exam Preparation Courses

Our courses are designed to introduce students to all aspects of the entrance exams, drawing attention to tested areas and providing techniques and strategies for success.

FAQ of Boarding School Admissions Preparation Course

Yes, we often include diagnostic assessments at the beginning of the course to help identify your child's strengths and weaknesses. This allows them to focus their efforts on areas that may require more attention, maximising the effectiveness of their exam preparation.

The AEAS preparatory course is conducted in the form of one-on-one tutoring, but the classroom content does not focus on test paper practice and problem solving. Instead, background information about the Australian education environment, system, teaching policies, etc. is slowly infiltrated through teaching or practice, such as using authentic Australian media materials for reading, so that they can better understand the Australian learning atmosphere and its cultural characteristics.

Yes, of course! Our live online courses are interactive, and we encourage active participation. Your child can ask questions during the session, and our experienced tutor will be there to provide clarification and support.

Each course includes a comprehensive set of study materials, which may include lecture notes, practice questions, and additional resources. These materials are typically accessible even after the course concludes, allowing your child to revisit them and reinforce their understanding.

The link to join the live online course will be sent to the registered email address with a reminder one day before the scheduled session. Please ensure that the email address provided during registration is accurate and regularly checked for updates.

Individual lessons or Forming a group

Contact us to book a lesson! Students of similar ability are welcome to join us as a group and enjoy a moderate price!

Ready to Hear Success Stories? See Why Ascent Prep is a Student Favourite!

Find out what our customers say ...
Michelle C.
Desire Subject Medicine
Programme University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) Preparation Course
Hours Attended 15

Michelle has excelled in academics since she was young and has been determined to apply to medical school since her third year of junior high school. She attends a local traditional girls' school that offers British A-Level courses. To lay a solid foundation for her dream of studying medicine, Michelle chose challenging subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. In the summer vacation after completing the IGCSE exam, Michelle interned in a cardiologist's clinic for five days through our arrangement. During her internship, she deeply realized the busy schedule of doctors and their sense of mission for the recovery of patients, which made her more determined to become a doctor.

Academically, Michelle took a UCAT preparation course during her first Christmas in the A-Level course, and learned various exam techniques under the guidance of the tutor, mastering how to quickly understand questions. She eventually scored an excellent 2830 in the UCAT exam and obtained a level 1 in the situational judgement test, which led to an interview invitation from the University of Nottingham Medical School. During the Easter period, she attended a personal statement guidance course. With the advice of her tutor, Michelle chose appropriate extracurricular activities and revised the content of her personal statement to make it more clearly express her passion and motivation for medicine. In addition, Michelle also took the BMAT exam (note that the BMAT has now been cancelled) and obtained a good score of 12.7, which exceeded the qualifying score and increased her chances of entering medical school.

To ensure that Michelle can fully express herself in the interview, we recommend arranging three targeted mock interviews to ensure that the areas that need improvement can be accurately improved. Finally, Michelle received an interview invitation from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong through the Non-JUPAS application. Her efforts finally paid off and she successfully received admission notices from the University of Nottingham and the University of Hong Kong.

After sharing Michelle's case, for students who aspire to enter the medical school, starting preparation one to two years in advance can indeed significantly increase the chances of success. Michelle's story not only inspires other students, but also proves that with planning and hard work, pursuing your dreams is achievable.

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David L.
Desire Subject Medicine
Programme University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) Preparation Course
Hours Attended 20

David attends a top secondary school in the UK and has excellent academic performance, with all 9s in GCSE and all A* predicted A-level grades. His dream has always been to become a doctor, and he has worked hard to achieve this goal. However, David unfortunately encountered a setback in the interview for a British medical school in January. The failure of the interview for his first application to a medical school made him depressed and anxious, and he began to doubt his abilities and future. At this time, his father contacted us at Ascent Prep for advice and suggestions.

We first comforted David and encouraged him not to give up his dream. Although he missed the chance to apply for medical school at a British university, the start date of medical school in Australia is half a year later than that in the UK, so he still has a chance to enroll. We suggested that he consider switching to medical school in Australia. In order to help David overcome the difficulties in the interview, we analyzed the reasons for his failure and found that although he was knowledgeable, he was flustered in the interview, especially lacking logic in judgment and problem-solving questions. We developed a personalized coaching program for him, including mock interview training and various coping skills, such as the STAR rule, responding to open-ended questions, and demonstrating passion for medicine and personal traits.

Through these intensive trainings, David's interview skills and confidence have been significantly improved. He also used the summer vacation when he returned to Hong Kong to retake the ISAT and UCAT exams and continued to practice under our guidance. At the same time, he continued to work as a research assistant at HKU, enhancing his medical experience and understanding of medical biology. Eventually, David successfully obtained admission notices from three Australian medical schools, including the University of New South Wales (UNSW). This proves that as long as you persevere, you can overcome challenges. His experience inspires other students pursuing their medical dreams, demonstrating to them the importance of persistence and hard work.

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Brian C.
Desire Subject Medicine
Programme Interview Training
Hours Attended 20

Brian is a student with a passion for medicine and his goal is to attend one of the top medical schools in the world. In order to realize this dream, he not only worked hard in his studies and achieved excellent results, but also actively participated in various extracurricular activities to comprehensively improve his abilities. Brian observed in the hospital’s cardiology department for a week and participated in the BSMS Virtual Work Experience, which allowed him to gain an in-depth understanding of the medical field through technological simulation. He not only learned the skills and qualities required to be a competent doctor, but also experienced the close relationship between doctors and patients.

After learning about Brian's goals, we encouraged him to set his sights on the University of Cambridge Medical School, whose outstanding reputation in medical research and teaching quality are impeccable. We also advised him to apply to other G5 medical schools such as Imperial, UCL and KCL. In order to improve his BMAT score and interview skills, we arranged a 15-hour BMAT preparation course ((Note that BMAT has been cancelled), which provided systematic training by experienced tutors, including problem-solving skills, test-taking strategies and time management. We also conducted several mock interviews for him, specifically targeting the interview style of Cambridge University, and designed relevant questions to help him prepare and better deal with academic and ethical issues.

Brian submitted his UCAS application in mid-October, took the BMAT in November, and received an interview invitation from Cambridge University in December. He was successfully accepted by Cambridge in January and also successfully obtained interview invitations from ICL and UCL. In order to reduce his financial burden, we encouraged him to apply for the Hong Kong Excellence Scholarship Scheme, which offers a scholarship of up to HK$300,000 and can support outstanding students to study in well-known overseas universities. In the end, Brian not only achieved high scores in the BMAT exam, but also was admitted to Cambridge University Medical School and KCL. He finally chose to go to Dowling College, Cambridge, England to pursue higher academic goals and realize his dream.

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