Based on the Year 5 (into Year 6) maths curriculum, the ISEB Pre-tests are usually taken in the Autumn term of Year 6. The tests are online and marked by computer. The Senior Schools will decide whether to offer firm or provisional places based on these results. Not all Senior Schools will use the Pre-tests, often opting for their own assessments, but in recent years, the Pre-test has become increasingly popular with the Senior Schools. Other subjects tested in the Pre-test will be Verbal Reasoning, English and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

The CE tests, taken in the summer term of Year 8, are a culmination of all the topics covered in Year 7 and Year 8.

There are two compulsory "Core" maths papers; one non-calculator and one calculator paper. There is also a compulsory short Mental Arithmetic paper. Additionally, there is an optional, harder calculator paper called the "Additional" paper. All of these papers are usually marked by the secondary school to which you are applying, in order for them to begin to place pupils into sets.

Some schools have their own entrance tests for pupils to take in Year 6 or Year 7 (ahead of the Year 8 CE 13+ papers), and often instead of the ISEB Pre-tests.

Schools will usually make their offers of places based on these earlier tests, although places are also usually dependent on passing the CE 13+ paper later in Year 8.