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ISEB Pre-Test Scores: SAS, Stanines & Percentiles Explained
What an SAS is, what schools see, and why parents only ever get estimates
Scoring: SAS, Stanines & Percentiles
The Pre-Tests report a Standardised Age Score (SAS) based on the accuracy and consistency of answers, age-adjusted against a standardisation sample from the independent-schools sector — plus a stanine and a percentile rank for each section. Here's the whole journey from sitting to offer.
From sitting to offer
1 · The sitting
Four adaptive sections, on screen, sat once per academic year at an approved venue.
2 · Standardisation
Accuracy and consistency are converted to a Standardised Age Score (SAS), age-adjusted against a standardisation sample from the independent-schools sector. The mean is 100; the ceiling is reported to be around 142.
3 · Results to schools
Results are available to registered senior schools immediately after completion — as an SAS plus a stanine (1–9 band) and percentile, reportedly alongside the time taken per section.
4 · Each school decides
There is no universal pass mark. Every school sets its own benchmarks, and uses the scores alongside the current school’s reference.
5 · Stage 2
Long-listed candidates go on to interviews, assessment days or the school’s own tests; 13+ offers are typically conditional on later performance.
Making sense of the numbers
SAS mean is 100 — an average performer for their age scores around 100.
The maximum SAS is reported to be around 142; roughly two-thirds of pupils are reported to fall between 85 and 115, with fewer than 5% above 130.
Scores are age-standardised: younger children in the year group are compared fairly against older ones.
Stanines band the distribution into nine groups (5 is average); percentiles show the share of the sample scored above.
For the most academically selective schools, tutoring sources report that an SAS of around 120 or above is often expected — no school publishes an official cut-off.
Why parents only ever get estimates
It is widely reported that parents are not sent the official scores — results go to the senior schools only.
That means every practice platform’s “SAS” — ours included — is an estimate, built from its own question bank and norms, not from ISEB’s.
Estimates are still useful: they show direction of travel, section balance and readiness. Treat them as a compass, not a verdict.
Be wary of anyone quoting your child’s “official ISEB score” from practice material — no third party has access to ISEB’s scoring.
Practise it for real: ISEB-style mocks
After every ISEB-style mock sitting we show a standardised score estimate (mean 100) with per-section breakdowns — always labelled an estimate, because that's exactly what it is.
Rehearse the Pre-Test Experience Calmly
Forward-only, difficulty-ramping ISEB-style mocks with a free walkthrough — unlimited sittings in every plan, with a 7-day free trial.