Admissions Guidance

Candidates are not required to prepare specifically for the entrance tests. However, revision of core subject fundamentals and general practice of the more challenging questions on your course specification may be of assistance. 

Here are examples of specifications and course materials from the most recent International GCSE syllabus in these subjects: 

• Chemistry  

• Maths A and Maths B 

• Physics 

• Biology 

• Spanish 

At the beginning of each test, our online test supervisor will carry out checks to ensure against any cheating and fraudulent exam practice. This may take up to 15 minutes. Candidates must ensure that: 

• They will be in a silent room for the duration of the test. 

• They are alone in their testing room and that no other person will enter the room for the duration of the test. 

• They have no study materials, textbooks, other electronics devices, or written notes in the room during the test. (Candidates may bring a calculator and A4 paper, without notes). 

• They have a working webcam and microphone headset to carry out the room verification and communicate with the online test supervisor. 

 Note: Candidates who do not pass the verification test will not be able to progress with the tests.

The School does not publish past papers or practice material for our entrance tests. The entrance tests are designed to assess the candidate's current ability in each of their subjects - we do not expect pupils to prepare extensively for them. 

There is no specific pass mark for the tests. We will pass candidates who we feel have the potential to excel on the International A Level programme. If a candidate scores well in some sections of the test and poorly in others, our academic interviewer will establish whether this is because of gaps in learning rather than a lack of ability. We are looking for pupils with academic ability and will accept pupils with some knowledge gaps if we feel they have the potential to learn. 

It is a guiding principle of our admissions department that candidates sitting an entrance test at the beginning of Year 11 will be in no way disadvantaged when compared to candidates sitting their test at the end of Year 11. The tests – and their marking criteria – have been carefully designed by our teachers to assess the ability of candidates at different points in the year, allowing for the fact that those candidates who sit their tests earlier in Year 11 will have covered less of the GCSE, or equivalent, curriculum. 

If a candidate has performed highly in most exams but particularly poorly in one subject, we may accept the candidate on the condition that they either drop that particular subject for the International A Level course or take extra academic support. 

Yes. Candidates may bring calculators into their exams.  

Please note: Candidates are not permitted to use the calculator feature on their smartphones. 

To complete the test, each candidate needs a laptop or desktop computer with a modern operating system (Windows 10 or Mac OS 10.7 or newer) and browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer 11 or newer, Microsoft Edge, or Safari). A broadband Internet connection is essential.  

It is essential that a candidate has a microphone headset and webcam. The test cannot start without these. 

Yes. Candidates will be provided with a copy of a formula sheet in the testing website that they will be able to access anytime during the exam. The formula sheets will contain equations and formulae typically covered during a GCSE or equivalent course in these subjects. 

Yes. Candidates will be provided with a copy of the Periodic Table of Elements in the testing website that they will be able to access anytime during the exam. 

Candidates who are applying to join the Standalone EPQ Programme undergo a slightly different assessment process and are required to complete this application form.  

Once the Admissions Department has conducted an initial review of the application, candidates are invited to sit a 30 minute test. 

The test consists of a selection of essay questions on a broad range of topics whereby no specific knowledge or preparation is required. Candidates' answers will be assessed on their ability to construct coherent and logical arguments in well-structured and accurate English. 

Following successful progression from this first stage, the second and final step consists of attending a 30 minute interview with our EPQ programme co-ordinator. During the interview, our interviewer will discuss a candidate's interest and motivation in taking an EPQ with the school, the candidate's essay, and general academic background and interests.  

Following successful progression at this stage, an offer will be made. Please note that there is no Principal Interview for Standalone EPQ applicants. 

If you have any questions, please contact the admissions department. 

Our in-house English examination, the PTE Versant, is designed to assess candidates’ English ability in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Lasting 50 minutes, the test is taken via a self-service web page by entering a unique testing code (known as a TIN) that is provided by the Admissions Department. 

The PTE Versant assesses the current English proficiency of prospective pupils; practice materials and past papers are not published, and candidates cannot prepare specifically for the test, other than through general practice of their English skills.  

Unlike the subject-specific entrance tests the PTE Versant does not require remote monitoring from the Admissions Department. The testing system will, however, flag any background noise or interference once the testing session has begun.   

Candidate requirements to take the test: 

• Headset with microphone; 

• 50 minutes of undisturbed time to take the test; 

• No distractions; and 

• An up-to-date computer.  

Before starting the test, candidates are strongly encouraged to visit www.VersantCheck.com for a technology check, following the instructions for the "Written/Spoken" option. This pre-test check will vet the candidate's device, browser, internet and microphone and avert the need for troubleshooting once the test session has begun. Please note that candidates may not take the PTE Versant on a tablet or smartphone. If the candidate's device fails this test, and there are no alternative devices available for their use - such as that of a parent/guardian or sibling - please contact the Admissions Department. 

Candidates invited to sit the PTE Versant must sit the test on the week of their other scheduled test and will not be invited to Academic Interview until the test has been completed. 

• Find a quiet room where you will not be disturbed for the duration of the interview. 

• Log onto Zoom at least 5 minutes before the interview to ensure you are ready to start at the agreed time. 

• Test your microphone and video settings before starting the interview. 

• There is no strict requirement for formal dress but please wear appropriate clothing. School uniform is usually suitable. 

• Review the guidance above about what you may be asked. 

If you have any further questions, please contact us at admissions@harrowschoolonline.org.