Leah has £60. Leah spends of it on a jacket and then of what is left on a book. How much money does Leah have left?
[3]Common Entrance maths
Most pupils sit Core: two 60-minute papers and a 10-minute mental arithmetic test, usually in the summer of Year 8.
Who sits it
Common Entrance at 13+ is set by ISEB for entry to many independent senior schools. Each senior school sets its own pass mark, so the mark you need depends on the school.
Foundation is an easier route taken by agreement with the senior school. Additional is an optional extra paper for pupils who find Core comfortable.
The papers
| Paper | Time | Marks | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 60 minutes | 100 | No |
| Paper 2 | 60 minutes | 100 | Yes |
| Mental arithmetic | 10 minutes | 40 | No |
| Additional (optional) | 60 minutes | 100 | Yes |
What Core covers
- Number: fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, proportion, primes and factors, time and speed.
- Algebra: expressions, brackets, equations with the unknown on both sides, formulae, sequences, graphs from tables.
- Geometry: angle facts, polygons, area and perimeter, circles and sectors, cuboids, transformations.
- Statistics and probability: averages and range, charts, and listing outcomes.
Preparing
Start with the topics that lose the most marks: fractions without a calculator, percentage change, ratio from a difference, equations with brackets, and polygon angles. Then sit timed papers.