Recently, there have been more and more posts on forums discussing children’s schooling. As it happens, my eldest child just finished the entrance exam for a British international school in Madrid. The process was quite an ordeal, and I wanted to share some of our experiences with this international school entrance exam in hopes of helping other parents who are in the process of choosing a school for their kids.
We applied for Year 5, and the school required both a written exam and an interview. After registering, the school emailed us with the exam schedule. The entire process took about half a day. Unlike the tense, formal exam atmosphere I had imagined, it felt more like an academic assessment. The teachers were very friendly and started by chatting with the children to help them relax.
What’s on the Written Exam?
The written exam is divided into two parts: a computer-based test and a paper-based test. The computer-based part uses a system called CAT4, which is common in many British schools. It doesn’t test specific subject knowledge but rather assesses a child’s cognitive abilities in four main areas:
- Verbal Reasoning: Assesses vocabulary and logical comprehension.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Focuses on numerical patterns and logic, not just arithmetic.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Involves pattern recognition with shapes, similar to IQ test questions.
- Spatial Ability: Tests the ability to visualize and manipulate 3D shapes.
The paper-based test is more traditional, focusing mainly on English and Math. The English section included a reading comprehension passage followed by a short essay based on the text, testing the child’s reading, comprehension, and written expression skills. The math problems weren’t overly difficult, but the word problems were quite long, making it a test of English reading as well. It seems the school’s main goal is to determine if a child is capable of learning in an English-speaking environment.
The Interview is Also a Key Part
After the written exam, there was a short interview with the deputy head of school. The interviewer didn’t ask any profound questions; it was more like a conversation. They asked my child about their favorite books, hobbies, and why they wanted to attend the school. I got the impression they were more interested in the child’s communication skills, confidence, and passion for learning. At the same time, the interview is a two-way street, so we took the opportunity to ask some questions about the curriculum and extracurricular activities.
| Exam Section | Key Assessment Area |
|---|
| CAT4 Computer Test | Cognitive abilities, learning potential |
| English Paper Test | Reading comprehension, written expression |
| Math Paper Test | Basic calculations, logical application |
| Head of School Interview | Communication skills, personality, enthusiasm for learning |
The Spanish international school entrance exam isn’t as hyper-competitive as we might think. It focuses more on assessing a child’s overall abilities and learning potential rather than just their existing knowledge. If your child has a solid academic foundation and you are considering an international school written test, English proficiency is the key. I recommend that parents find some CAT4 practice tests beforehand to familiarize their child with the question formats. Before the interview, talk with your child about their interests and ideas so they can express themselves confidently. Good luck to all your kids in getting into their dream schools!
