13+ Maths Tutors Online
13+ Maths tutor rates: £20–£70 per hour
The phrase '13+ Maths' covers a range of different assessments depending on the school your child is applying to. Some families are preparing for ISEB Common Entrance in Year 8, while others are dealing with an earlier Common Pre-Test in Year 6, a school-specific entrance paper, or a scholarship examination. Working with an experienced tutor can help you make sense of the process, identify exactly what your child needs to cover, and build the kind of confident, accurate Maths that entrance assessments reward. Klasu's online tutors work with pupils at every stage of 13+ preparation, from…
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Finding the right 13+ Maths tutor can make all the difference in academic success. Klasu's online tutors specialise in 13+ Maths and plan personalised one-to-one lessons around your syllabus and target grade.
Whether you're preparing for 13+ Maths exams, need help with homework, or want to deepen your understanding, our tutors provide personalised one-to-one lessons tailored to your learning style and target grade.
Exam Boards for 13+ Maths
- ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board)
- ISEB provides the Common Entrance at 13+ Mathematics examinations taken by many prep-school pupils applying to independent senior schools. The current specification, introduced for teaching from September 2021, is designed to develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving alongside secure procedural knowledge.
- ISEB Common Pre-Tests
- The ISEB Common Pre-Tests are separate from Common Entrance and are used by some senior schools as an earlier admissions stage, often taken during Year 6 for deferred Year 9 entry. The Mathematics section is online, adaptive and multiple-choice, with content broadly based on the National Curriculum through the end of Year 5.
- School-Specific Entrance Examinations
- A number of independent senior schools set their own 13+ Mathematics papers rather than, or in addition to, ISEB Common Entrance. These papers vary considerably in format, difficulty, calculator policy and the range of topics assessed, so preparation should always be based on the target school's own published information.
- ISEB CASE (Common Academic Scholarship Examination)
- CASE Mathematics is the ISEB scholarship assessment, based on the Core and Additional sections of the 13+ specification and intended to challenge academically strong candidates. It is a single 90-minute paper worth 100 marks, with a compulsory first section and a more demanding second section.
Topics Covered in 13+ Maths
- Number and Arithmetic
- Students work with whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percentages and negative numbers. Key skills include prime factorisation, highest common factor, lowest common multiple, order of operations and accurate written arithmetic. Word problems require pupils to select the right method and interpret their answer in context.
- Algebra
- Core algebra covers collecting like terms, expanding brackets, substitution, forming and solving linear equations, and working with simple formulae. Students also interpret and draw straight-line graphs. Additional-level work extends into rearranging formulae, simultaneous equations, factorising by a variable and plotting non-linear curves.
- Ratio and Proportional Reasoning
- Students write, simplify and apply ratios, share quantities in a given ratio and use proportional relationships to solve real-world problems. Percentage increase and decrease, profit and loss, and speed, distance and time calculations all fall within this area.
- Measurement
- This topic covers metric units, time calculations, perimeter, area and volume. Students calculate areas of rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, trapezia and circles, and find the volume and surface area of cuboids, prisms and cylinders. Interpreting conversion graphs, travel graphs and scatter graphs is also included.
- Geometry
- Students apply angle facts including vertically opposite angles, angles on a straight line, alternate and corresponding angles, and interior and exterior angles of polygons. They also work with coordinates, transformations including translation, reflection, rotation and enlargement, and the properties of triangles and quadrilaterals.
- Mental Arithmetic
- The current ISEB Foundation and Core assessments include a ten-minute written mental arithmetic test worth 40 marks. Preparation focuses on number bonds, multiplication and division, fractions, percentages, ratio, estimation and place-value reasoning, as well as selecting efficient methods without relying on a calculator.
- Sequences and Patterns
- Students identify and continue arithmetic and geometric sequences, recognise square-number and triangular-number patterns, and apply term-to-term rules. Additional-level work includes explicit nth-term calculations and Fibonacci-type sequences.
- Probability and Statistics
- Students express probability as a fraction, list possible outcomes and find expected frequencies. Statistics work covers mean, median, mode and range, reading and constructing bar charts, pie charts and frequency tables, and choosing an appropriate average for a given situation.
- Circles and Composite Shapes
- Students calculate circumference and area of circles, work with sectors and combine circle calculations with other shapes. This is a common area of difficulty because pupils must distinguish radius from diameter and apply the correct formula accurately.
- Additional and Scholarship Topics
- For candidates taking the Additional paper or preparing for a scholarship, further topics include Pythagoras' theorem, reverse percentages, standard form, simultaneous equations, simple quadratic equations, algebraic proof and graphical solutions. These topics demand careful reasoning and the ability to tackle unfamiliar problems.
Understanding 13+ Maths Assessment Standards
There is no single universal pass mark for 13+ Maths. The standard required depends on the senior school, the admissions route, the level of the paper and how the school weighs Maths alongside other subjects, school reports and interviews. Some schools publish an indicative expectation, while others make admissions decisions based on the full picture rather than a single score. Families should ask their target school directly about what it looks for, and avoid placing too much weight on generic percentage figures found online.
For ISEB Common Entrance, the Foundation, Core and Additional levels each carry different expectations, and the right level for a candidate is normally agreed between the prep school and the senior school. A strong performance at Core is the goal for most candidates, while Additional is taken by those who need to demonstrate further mathematical ability, either for highly selective entry or as part of a scholarship application. Foundation may be appropriate in certain individual circumstances, and families should check with the target school whether it accepts Foundation-level results.
Tutoring can help a student build the accuracy and understanding that assessments reward, but the most important thing is that preparation is focused on the right test and the right level. A tutor who understands the admissions route can help identify gaps, develop reliable methods and give a pupil the confidence to work carefully through a paper rather than rushing or freezing under pressure.
Top Study Tips
- Find out exactly which assessment your child is taking before starting preparation. Common Entrance, a school-specific paper and a Common Pre-Test each require a different approach, and preparing for the wrong one wastes time.
- Work on underlying understanding before moving to past papers. Students who practise papers too early can mask gaps and run out of useful material before the examination.
- Give mental arithmetic the same attention as written topics. The ten-minute ISEB mental arithmetic test is worth 40 marks, and pupils who rely heavily on a calculator often find timed mental questions more challenging than expected.
- Practise showing clear working even when a method feels obvious. Many 13+ papers award marks for method as well as the final answer, and a small arithmetic slip need not cost all the marks if the working is clear.
- Review mistakes carefully rather than simply moving on. Understanding why an answer was wrong, whether through a misread question, a sign error or a gap in knowledge, is more useful than completing large numbers of papers without analysis.
Why Consider a 13+ Maths Tutor?
- The admissions process can be genuinely confusing
- Many parents are unsure whether their child is taking Common Entrance, a school-specific paper or an earlier Pre-Test, and sometimes all three apply at different stages. A tutor with experience of 13+ admissions can help you understand the route ahead, identify the relevant syllabus and put together a realistic preparation plan.
- Prep-school teaching does not always cover every gap
- Even pupils at well-resourced prep schools sometimes find that certain topics, such as algebra, fractions or mental arithmetic, need more individual attention than a classroom can provide. One-to-one tuition allows a tutor to focus precisely on the areas where a child needs the most support.
- State-school and overseas pupils may be covering a different curriculum
- Not every 13+ candidate comes from a prep school that teaches the ISEB specification. A tutor can compare a pupil's existing knowledge with the requirements of the relevant entrance assessment, address missing topics and help the student become familiar with the format and conventions of the examination.
- Scholarship preparation demands more than standard revision
- Candidates aiming for a scholarship or sitting Additional-level papers need experience of demanding, multi-step problems that go beyond routine practice. A tutor can introduce the kind of reasoning these assessments reward and help a pupil approach unfamiliar questions with a clear method.
- Exam technique and time management are skills in themselves
- A student may know the Maths but still lose marks by spending too long on one question, showing insufficient working or rushing through mental arithmetic. A tutor can help develop a consistent approach to papers, including how to manage time, when to move on and how to check answers effectively.
Where Can 13+ Maths Take You?
Strong Maths at 13+ builds the foundations for GCSE, A-level and beyond. Pupils who develop confident, accurate mathematical thinking at this stage are better placed across a wide range of subjects and future directions.
- Engineering and Technology
- Whether mechanical, civil, electrical or software engineering, a secure grounding in algebra, measurement and problem-solving is essential from GCSE onwards and becomes increasingly important at A-level and university.
- Medicine and the Life Sciences
- Medical, biological and pharmaceutical careers require strong numeracy, data interpretation and an ability to apply mathematical reasoning to real-world problems, all skills that are developed through 13+ preparation.
- Finance and Economics
- Careers in banking, investment, accounting and economics draw heavily on mathematical confidence. Pupils who develop solid number skills and proportional reasoning at this stage are well prepared for the quantitative demands of these fields.
- Architecture and Design
- Architecture, product design and related disciplines combine creative thinking with practical geometry, measurement and spatial reasoning, areas that feature prominently in 13+ Maths.
- Computer Science and Data
- Programming, data analysis and artificial intelligence all require logical thinking, algebraic reasoning and an ability to work with numbers accurately, making a strong Maths foundation particularly valuable for pupils interested in these areas.
- Natural Sciences and Research
- Physics, chemistry, environmental science and other research disciplines rely on mathematical modelling, statistical analysis and careful quantitative reasoning, all of which build on the skills developed during 13+ Maths preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually is the 13+ Maths exam? Is it one standard test?
The term '13+' refers to the point of entry into a senior school, usually Year 9, rather than a single universal examination. Depending on the school your child is applying to, the Maths assessment may be ISEB Common Entrance, a school-specific entrance paper, an earlier ISEB Common Pre-Test taken in Year 6 for deferred Year 9 entry, or a scholarship examination. Some schools use more than one of these at different stages of the admissions process. The most important step is to contact each target school directly and confirm exactly which assessments apply, in which year they are taken and what the school expects.
What are the Foundation, Core and Additional levels in ISEB Maths?
ISEB currently offers 13+ Mathematics at three levels. Core is the standard route for most candidates and covers a broad range of number, algebra, ratio, measurement, geometry, probability and statistics. Foundation is available to support individual circumstances and may be used by agreement with the senior school. Additional is an optional paper that extends beyond Core with more demanding topics such as Pythagoras' theorem, simultaneous equations, reverse percentages and non-linear graphs. The appropriate level for a candidate is normally agreed between the prep school and the senior school, so families should not choose a level independently without that guidance.
Is there a mental arithmetic test in 13+ Maths?
Yes. Under the current ISEB specification, both Foundation and Core candidates sit a ten-minute written mental arithmetic test worth 40 marks. Questions are presented in written form rather than read aloud, and candidates work without a calculator. The test assesses skills such as number bonds, multiplication and division, fractions, percentages, ratio and estimation. Many pupils find this section more challenging than expected if they have become accustomed to reaching for a calculator, so it is worth giving mental arithmetic dedicated practice time.
What is the ISEB Common Pre-Test and how is it different from Common Entrance?
The ISEB Common Pre-Tests are a separate, earlier admissions assessment used by some senior schools to select pupils for deferred Year 9 entry. They are typically taken during Year 6, whereas Common Entrance is normally a written examination taken in Year 8. The Pre-Tests are online, adaptive and multiple-choice, with a Mathematics section lasting approximately 40 minutes that draws on content broadly up to the end of Year 5. Common Entrance, by contrast, involves written papers at Foundation, Core or Additional level. A child may face both at different stages of the same admissions process, depending on the school.
Does every independent school use ISEB Common Entrance for 13+ entry?
No. While Common Entrance is used by many independent senior schools, others set their own entrance papers, use different admissions stages or make offers that are not conditional on Common Entrance results. Some schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Tests in Year 6 as a first stage and then rely on their own assessments or school reports rather than CE in Year 8. Because arrangements vary so much, it is important to check each target school's current admissions process directly rather than assuming that all schools follow the same route.
When should my child start preparing for 13+ Maths?
The right time to begin depends on which assessments apply and when they fall. If your child's target school uses an ISEB Common Pre-Test in Year 6, some preparation may be helpful well before Year 8. For pupils sitting Common Entrance or a school-specific paper in Year 8, many families begin focused preparation during Year 7 or early Year 8, though a pupil with significant gaps may benefit from starting earlier so that preparation can be spread over a longer period. There is no single answer that suits every child, and a tutor can help you think through a realistic timeline once the specific requirements are clear.
Can a tutor help my child prepare for a school-specific entrance paper rather than Common Entrance?
Yes. A tutor can use the target school's published syllabus, specimen papers and any past papers the school makes available to focus preparation on what that particular assessment requires. School-specific papers vary considerably in format, difficulty and the topics they emphasise, so it is important that preparation reflects the actual examination rather than a generic revision plan. Sharing as much information as possible about the target school with a tutor before lessons begin will help them prepare your child more effectively.
Is there a fixed pass mark for 13+ Maths?
There is no single universal pass mark. The standard required depends on the individual school, the level of the paper, the competitiveness of the admissions year and how Maths sits alongside other subjects and the school report in the overall assessment. Some schools publish an indicative expectation while others do not give a fixed figure. Families should ask each target school directly about what it looks for, and be cautious about generic percentage thresholds found online, which may not reflect the current position at any particular school.