How to Prepare for UK Prep School Science Exams: A Parent’s Guide to 11+ and 13+ Success

With the right guidance—at home or through expert tuition—your child can approach prep school science with confidence and clarity.

If your child is preparing for 11+ or 13+ entrance exams to a UK prep or independent senior school, science can be one of the most daunting subjects to revise. Between unfamiliar syllabus content, the pressure of exam technique, and the rising academic standards of top-tier schools, many parents feel unsure how to help their child prepare effectively.

In this guide, we break down what science is really like at 11+ and 13+, how the ISEB Common Entrance and scholarship exams work, and what you can do to give your child the best chance of success—whether you're considering tuition or going it alone.

What Are Prep School Science Exams?

In the UK, prep school science exams refer to:

• 11+ Science: Part of entrance assessments for Year 7 entry into selective schools

• 13+ Science (ISEB Common Entrance or Scholarship): Sat in Year 8 for entry into Year 9 at senior independent schools

These exams are commonly used by schools such as:

• Eton College

• Harrow School

• Westminster School

• St Paul’s School

• Cheltenham Ladies’ College

• Wycombe Abbey

• And many more leading independents

They assess biology, chemistry, and physics across Key Stage 2 or 3-level content—but often go well beyond the National Curriculum in terms of depth and style.

The Two Main Types of Science Exams: 11+ vs 13+

11+ Science:

• Usually part of a broader science or general reasoning paper

• Focuses on Key Stage 2 knowledge (Year 5 and 6)

• Includes short answers, multiple choice, diagrams

• Some schools include science as part of an interview task

13+ Science (ISEB Common Entrance):

• Divided into Level 1 and Level 2 papers

  • Level 1: More accessible, less detailed content

  • Level 2: More advanced, used by top schools

• Covers biology, chemistry, and physics

• Includes factual recall, data interpretation, experimental planning, and extended answers

• Designed to test a child's ability to apply knowledge in unfamiliar contexts

Scholarship Exams:

• Set by individual schools, not ISEB

• Much harder than Common Entrance

• Assess scientific reasoning, lateral thinking, and experimental design

• May include interviews or oral assessments

Why Science Is a Challenge at This Level

Many children are enthusiastic about science but struggle in formal prep school exams because:

• The question style is different from what they’re used to

• There’s an emphasis on applying knowledge, not just memorising it

• Children must understand data, graphs, and variables

• Some have had patchy science teaching or missed core topics

This can lead to a capable student underperforming without proper exam technique training or revision planning.

What’s Actually Tested in 11+ and 13+ Science

Although the syllabuses vary slightly, key areas include:

Biology

• Cells and their structure

• Organs and organ systems

• Plants, photosynthesis, and reproduction

• Food chains and ecosystems

• Variation and classification

Chemistry

• States of matter

• Changes of state and particle theory

• Elements, compounds, and mixtures

• Simple chemical reactions (e.g. acids & alkalis, combustion)

• Metals and non-metals

• The Periodic Table (Level 2)

Physics

• Forces and motion

• Energy types and transfers

• Electricity and circuits

• Light and sound

• Magnetism

• Pressure and density (13+ Level 2 and scholarship)

Scientific Skills

• Planning experiments

• Interpreting data

• Identifying variables

• Drawing conclusions from evidence

Many 13+ questions involve written explanations, so your child needs strong scientific vocabulary and a logical structure.

Step 1: Start With the Right Syllabus and Paper Type

For 13+, download the official ISEB science syllabus and check which paper your child will sit:

• Level 1 or Level 2 Common Entrance?

• Scholarship exam set by the school?

Ask the admissions office or check past papers on the school website. Some top-tier schools only accept Level 2 or their own scholarship paper.

This determines the depth and scope of what your child needs to revise.

Step 2: Review Your Child’s Strengths and Gaps

Start with a diagnostic approach:

• Try a full 11+ or 13+ past paper

• Identify strengths and weak spots

• Look for skill gaps, not just content gaps:

  • Can they interpret tables or graphs?

  • Can they explain why an experiment worked or failed?

  • Do they understand keywords like “hypothesis”, “evaluate”, or “conclusion”?

Then build your revision plan around skills AND topics.

Step 3: Use the Right Resources

Choose materials that are specifically written for 11+ or 13+ exams—not just KS2/KS3 science workbooks.

Recommended for 13+:

• Galore Park: Science for Common Entrance (ISEB Level 1 & 2)

• ISEB Science Exam Practice Questions

• Bond 13+ Science Assessment Papers

• Specimen and past papers from ISEB or target schools

Recommended for 11+:

• CGP 11+ Science Practice Books

• Letts or Bond 11+ Science Test Papers

• Atom Learning or Exam Coach platforms

If your child is a scholarship candidate, you’ll need:

• Higher-level problem-solving materials

• UKMT Junior Science Challenge practice

• Tailored tutoring or mock interviews

Step 4: Master Scientific Vocabulary and Writing Style

Children often lose marks for:

• Not using correct terminology

• Being too vague or casual in their answers

• Misreading the question stem or command word

Teach your child to:

• Use scientific words (e.g. “evaporation” not “drying”)

• Begin sentences logically: “This happens because…” or “The reaction produces…”

• Recognise exam terms like state, explain, describe, evaluate, compare

Create a mini glossary of key terms and sentence starters for each topic.

Step 5: Focus on Experimental Skills and Data Interpretation

Even without real lab access, children must be able to:

• Plan a valid experiment

• Identify variables (independent, dependent, control)

• Analyse a results table or bar graph

• Spot anomalies or trends in data

• Write conclusions linked to the original aim

Use questions from past papers to:

• Break down real experiments

• Discuss how results were obtained

• Practise sketching graphs and drawing conclusions

Step 6: Build a Weekly Revision Routine

The most effective prep happens little and often.

A good weekly structure might include:

• 1 topic-based revision session (with notes or videos)

• 1 session focused on questions and past paper practice

• 1 practical/data skills session

• 10 minutes a day of flashcard or quiz work

Break down revision by theme:

• Week 1–2: Biology (cells + systems)

• Week 3–4: Chemistry (particles + changes of state)

• Week 5–6: Physics (forces + energy)

• Week 7–8: Experiment design, graph skills, paper strategy

Step 7: Practise With Real Past Papers

You should build up to full paper practice as exams approach.

Start by:

• Doing single questions from past papers by topic

• Building up to half-papers

• Then doing full mock papers under timed conditions

Mark them using official mark schemes if available. Focus on:

• Whether your child understood the question

• Whether they used the correct terms

• How well they structured their explanation

Create a “mistake log” and revisit weak areas every week.

Step 8: Prepare for Interviews or Oral Science Tasks

Some schools assess science through:

• An interview-style discussion

• Verbal problem solving

• Group science tasks

Your child may be asked:

• “What’s your favourite science experiment and why?”

• “Can you explain how a thermometer works?”

• “What would you predict if…?”

Practise with:

• Science discussion prompts

• Describing experiments aloud

• Explaining diagrams or ideas in a clear, logical way

Confidence and clarity are key.

Step 9: Consider Working With a Tutor

If your child is:

• Applying to a highly selective school

• Struggling with scientific explanations

• Finding the workload overwhelming

• Preparing for Level 2 or a scholarship paper

…a specialist science tutor can:

• Structure revision

• Provide tailored question practice

• Strengthen weak areas

• Build your child’s confidence

• Teach exam strategy and explanation techniques

Some parents begin tutoring 6–12 months before exams, others 1–2 terms in advance.

Step 10: Build Confidence, Not Just Content

In the final weeks:

• Focus on revision technique, not cramming

• Do short bursts of high-quality practice

• Review model answers together

• Stay positive—encourage effort, not perfection

• Make sure your child knows what to expect on exam day

Children who feel supported and confident perform better—even in highly competitive environments.

Final Thoughts: Smart Preparation Creates Success

Prep school science exams at 11+ and 13+ can feel intimidating—but with a clear plan, strong resources, and a focus on skills as well as content, your child can succeed.

These exams reward children who:

• Think clearly

• Use scientific language

• Explain their reasoning

• Can apply their knowledge flexibly

With the right guidance—at home or through expert tuition—your child can approach prep school science with confidence and clarity.

Need Help Preparing for 11+ or 13+ Science Exams?

Book a 15 mins consultation with Dr Marguerite Quinn, experienced science tutor specialising in Common Entrance, scholarship exams, and prep school support. Whether your child is in Year 5, 6, 7 or 8, Marguerite can help them develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to shine in science.