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Main image: Falcons Pre-Prep

Most parents of young children might be under the impression that exams – though part and parcel of any child’s educational journey – are something to worry about in the distant future. But if you’ve got your eye on a place at some of the UK’s most competitive pre-prep or prep schools for your child, the formal assessment process may roll around much sooner than you think.

‘For most of us, growing up did not include the possibility of having to take a very formal exam at the age of six,’ says Liz McLaughlin, the former head of Falcons Pre-Prep and new head of Wetherby Kensington. ‘We were most likely making mud soup, enjoying the few TV programmes that came on at their scheduled time and reading for pleasure. The current generation of children with aspirational parents and a desire to attend the top schools are required to prepare for these exams – and it is not an easy process to navigate.’

There’s no escaping the fact that the idea of a child sitting a competitive assessment at such a young age is downright daunting. So what exactly are the 4+, 7+ and 8+? And what should parents know about the pre-prep and prep-school assessment process? We spoke to a number of top prep-school heads and educational experts to find out what schools are really looking for – and what families can do to make sure their son or daughter is beaming with confidence when the big day arrives, without the preparation standing in the way of a proper childhood.

The basics: what are the 4+, 7+ and 8+?
The terms 4+, 7+ and 8+ refer to the admissions processes of highly selective pre-prep and prep schools. Think of these assessments as age-appropriate equivalents to the more commonplace 11+ and 13+, which are used to assess a child’s suitability for their potential senior school.

Each school has its own assessments, procedures and timelines, but the process usually begins in the autumn term of the year before entry. That means most children sit the 4+ when they are three, while the 7+ is taken when a child is in Year 2 and the 8+ when a child is in Year 3.

As children get older, the assessment process may involve a combination of academic tests, interviews and group workshops. Each component is designed to help give a full, rounded picture of your child, and check their suitability and fit for that particular school.

The 4+
First things first: don’t panic. Schools are not looking for future Nobel Prize winners at the tender age of three – instead, they want to check your child is at the right stage of development and will be a good fit. ‘There is absolutely no preparation needed – we just want your child to be herself and enjoy playing with the other applicants,’ says Laura Hall, the head of Queen’s College Prep School in London, which sees most pupils join in Reception. ‘The key point is to stress that these assessments are informal,’ adds Sophie Gillen, the director of admissions at Ibstock Place Prep School. ‘Our pre-prep teachers are wonderful at putting children (and parents) at ease on the day. We are looking to see how children interact with others and what their speech and language are like, as well as their understanding of basic literacy and numeracy skills.’



Do your research beforehand to find out what your school’s assessment comprises. The majority will be purely play-based, but others might include more targeted one-to-one focus time with a teacher. ‘Certain schools look for more concrete skills such as a child’s ability to write their name from memory, recognise some letter sounds, count up to 20 or above, demonstrate good levels of comprehension and problem-solve through puzzle or shape challenges,’ says educational consultant and Talk ÍÑ¿ã°É’s Early Years specialist Sabine Hook. Expect the session to last anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, but don’t tear your hair out if your child’s errs on the longer side. ‘The children have more time to warm up and show more of their personality and abilities that way,’ adds Sabine.

The best thing a parent can do in the build-up is to make sure their child is already attending a really good nursery, where they’re taught independence, confidence, communication and fine and gross motor skills as standard. Reading to your child regularly is strongly encouraged too. ‘These primary areas of development are so important to have in place, before worrying about phonics, reading and writing and maths,’ says Sabine.

'One other thing that does affect the process is how well a child might be able to separate from their parent or guardian', says Richard Berlie, the head of St Anthony's School for Boys. 'While schools understand that this process is difficult for young children, it becomes more a question of being unable to assess a distressed child fairly than a judgement on the child’s ability to separate. Building confidence, independence and a willingness to participate in activities with children whom they have not met before is a decided advantage'. Make sure you eliminate any pressure or stress around the process by explaining to your child that they are going to a play date at a new school to see if they enjoy being there. Happily, most children are too young to be fazed by the process – and above all, it’s designed to be fun. ‘We want the children to enjoy themselves so they can be themselves,’ adds Sophie.

The 7+ and 8+
The academic intensity ratchets up a notch as the 7+ or 8+ looms. These assessments are designed to give an insight into a prospective pupil’s academic ability and give a school the confidence that they will be able to keep up with the pace of learning. Exams (which ordinarily test English, maths and reasoning skills) tend to be held between November and January of the academic year before entry, and the starriest performers are usually invited back for an interview at a later date.

As with any exam for entrance into a new school, it’s vital you keep your child’s current school informed – and on side – throughout the process. Their advice can be invaluable, and they will be able to give you a steer as to whether the schools on your shortlist are realistic. ‘Remember that they will need to give your child a reference – and if the first time they hear you’re looking to move is when the new school asks for a reference, that’s rather a bad look!’ adds Laura.



If your child is sitting the 7+ or 8+, then it’s highly likely they’ll be battling it out for a place at one of the UK’s most academic schools, so it’s worth knowing that children will be expected to perform at a higher standard than a typical child of their age following the national curriculum. If your child is already attending an independent pre-prep school, it’s safe to presume that the curriculum will be advanced enough to put them at an advantage when they come to take their assessments.

That said, many parents still ask if they need to do extra work with their child at home in the lead-up – ‘and the simple answer is “absolutely”,’ says Liz. Start early enough so it’s not a mad dash to the finish line, but over-preparation can seriously backfire – and one of the most damaging things you can do for your child is instil in them a fear of failure.

Instead, remember it’s potential that schools are looking for, not the finished article – so use the lead-up to encourage your child to foster a love of learning. ‘Take them to lots of museums and galleries, read to them to show them that reading matters to you or go to the park with them and kick a ball or fly a kite,’ says Joe Layburn, the head of Bancroft’s Prep School in north-east London, where pupils who secure a place at 7+ win a golden ticket into the thriving senior school at 11+. ‘My advice to parents is to give them experiences that fire their imagination but let them be children, let them be themselves.’

But it’s still worth parents encouraging their children to master more general exam and interview techniques. ‘Support your child to feel confident at meeting new adults – shaking hands, smiling, looking them in the eye,’ says Sam Skillings, the director of admissions at Summer Fields in Oxford. Here, although entrance is selective, a broad range of talents is welcomed. ‘My only advice to candidates is to brush up on little strategies like attributing time and effort according to the number of marks available, and not spending too long on one question. These approaches seem obvious, but are easily overlooked in the heat of the moment,’ adds Ted Lougher, head of King’s College Junior School, the precursor to one of London’s top senior schools. Rather reassuringly, if a boy doesn’t secure a place the first time he tries, he’s welcome to try again the following year – and as the previous year’s results are discounted, there’s no unfair discrimination against anyone who was having a bad day.



There’s one message that rings out loud and clear among all the heads we spoke to: don’t tutor. ‘It’s not helpful in providing an accurate picture of your child’s current level or potential,’ says Sophie. ‘Of course, we know tutoring is something many parents consider – they don’t want to let their child down and leave anything to chance,’ adds Joe. ‘But tutoring leads to uniformity and blandness. For those children already in the independent sector, we really counsel against it – though for state-school children, some familiarisation with test techniques and procedure can mean they’re not thrown by something that’s outside their experience.’ Indeed, many schools are happy to provide practice papers for pupils to look over before the big day as a little extra reassurance. 'Children are now being tested more and more on their approach to a question and how good they are at being creative, logical thinkers. This also helps schools identify children who have to some extent been over-prepared', says Richard.

And while academic potential is key, schools are looking for much more than simply a pupil’s maths or comprehension skills. Children who ace the exam are usually invited back for an interview at a later stage – but this is where some might throw their chances away. ‘I have seen the most academic child fly through the exam paper, only to fail during the interview session due to shyness and an inability to work with peers,’ says Liz. The interview is an opportunity for a child’s true personality to shine through, and really highlights those who are best suited for each school environment. 'We are looking for boys who will thrive in an environment where every pupil feels comfortable in themselves yet also have the social and emotional intelligence to bring out the best in others too', adds Mark White, the head of Wetherby Prep School. 

‘We love to hear about candidates’ passions and curiosities, whatever they may be. As is often the case with grown-ups in job interviews, candidates occasionally concern themselves overly with saying what they think we want to hear; this can have the unintended consequences of masking one’s true character and I would urge against true preparation,’ adds Ted. ‘They should be happy to talk about the hobbies they enjoy, the interests they have, their favourite books, their achievements – we are looking for children who can demonstrate their abilities as all-rounders,’ confirms Sam. At Ibstock Place Prep School, children get stuck into fun workshops showcasing some of the exciting opportunities available to pupils. ‘We want to get to know the child, so we are looking to see how they engage with other children and whether we think they will enjoy the Ibstock curriculum,’ says Sophie.

It’s also vitally important to put your child’s wellbeing first throughout the entire process. Keep them in the loop, help them understand what the assessment is for and let them have an opinion on the school you are shooting for. ‘I encourage parents to talk to their child using phrases such as “We are trying to find the best school for you next year, and some schools require a special kind of test that you need to try your best on”, or “It is exciting that you might get to go to a new school. It is our job as your mummy and daddy to find that school, and all you need to do is try your best,”’ says Liz.

As difficult as it might be, keep your own nerves in check too. ‘Children are very sensitive to your emotions and will pick up if you are stressed about something,’ advises Sophie. But above all, stay positive, don’t listen to dinner-party chat or school-gate gossip and keep an open mind. ‘As long as you navigate the process with your eyes wide open, it can have very rewarding outcomes for your child,’ says Liz – and we couldn’t agree more.