Top independent schools rarely select solely on the basis of written exam scores. Most run a full assessment day — a half- or full-day visit that combines tests, group activities and interviews.
Typical assessment day structure
- 9:00 AM — Arrival and registration. Tea/coffee for parents in a separate room.
- 9:30 — Maths paper. Free-response, 45-60 minutes.
- 10:30 — English paper. Comprehension + writing.
- 11:45 — Group activity. Children work in groups of 4-6 on a problem-solving challenge. Observed by staff.
- 12:30 — Lunch with current pupils. Yes, this is observed — staff watch how children interact.
- 1:30 — Interview. 15-20 minutes with a senior teacher.
- 2:30 — Tour and departure.
What schools are looking for beyond academic marks
- Articulacy — can the child express ideas clearly?
- Resilience — does the child handle a setback in a group activity without melting down?
- Curiosity — do they ask questions?
- Listening — do they let others speak in group work?
- Manners — small things matter (saying please/thank you, looking up when spoken to).
Common interview questions
- "Tell me about a book you've read recently."
- "What's something you've made or built that you're proud of?"
- "If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?"
- "What would you do with £100?"
How to prepare
- Discuss favourite books at home — what happened, what your child thought.
- Practise eye contact and full-sentence answers.
- Read recent news stories together; ask "what do you think?"
- Do timed practice papers in a quiet room (Quest Arena's mocks).
For interview-prep tutoring, contact Edu Archives via WhatsApp on 07899 729076.