STEM Excellence & Character: What it Takes to Join Reed’s School (Cobham)

Situated in Cobham, Surrey, Reed’s School is an outstanding independent day and boarding school for boys aged 11 to 16, with a co-educational Sixth Form. Celebrated for its sports excellence (notably tennis and rugby), cutting-edge STEM programmes, and focus on developing well-rounded character, Reed’s is one of Surrey's most sought-after 11+ choices.

Reed’s uses a streamlined, two-part admissions track designed to evaluate cognitive agility alongside interpersonal leadership skills.

The Reed’s Selection Roadmap

The 11+ admissions process at Reed’s spans the autumn and winter terms of Year 6.

Stage 1: The ISEB Common Pre-Test (November)

Candidates sit the online adaptive ISEB Common Pre-Test by late November of Year 6. The assessment covers four adaptive modules:

Mathematics (40 mins): Key Stage 2 arithmetic fluency, algebra, and multi-step word problems.
English (40 mins): Reading comprehension, syntax, spelling, and vocabulary in context.
Verbal Reasoning (25 mins): Linguistic logic, word codes, and vocabulary patterns.
Non-Verbal Reasoning (30 mins): Spatial manipulation, 2D/3D shapes, and pattern series.

Stage 2: Team Workshop & Individual Interview (January)

Candidates who perform strongly in the ISEB Pre-Test are invited to campus in January for an interactive selection day:

Team-Building Activity: Boys participate in an observed group problem-solving challenge designed to evaluate teamwork, communication, and adaptability under pressure.
1-to-1 Interview: A conversational session with a senior staff member focusing on co-curricular passions, reading habits, and personal achievements.

Assessment Stage	Timing	Format	Key Evaluation Criteria
Stage 1	November (Year 6)	Online Adaptive (ISEB)	Maths, English, VR, and NVR processing speed.
Stage 2	January (Year 6)	On-Campus Workshop	Teamwork, problem-solving, and 1-to-1 interview poise.

How Exceptional Academics Prepares Your Child

Preparation for Reed's requires mastering adaptive online tests while building group collaboration skills. Exceptional Academics tutors train boys on ISEB question pacing, conduct group workshop simulations, and coach students to articulate their strengths during the January interview.

Aiming for a Year 7 place at Reed’s School? Consult with our admissions experts today at info@exceptionalacademics.com.