Column · Exams
What UKiset
measures.
UKiset is an online entrance test that many UK independent schools use to assess applicants from overseas. It covers reasoning, English and a short piece of writing. It is not a pass or fail test: schools read the results alongside their own exams and interviews.
Updated 29 October 2026 · Written by （to be confirmed） · Reviewed by （to be confirmed） · （to be confirmed）
On this page
01 / The parts of the test
Three parts.
UKiset has three parts. The reasoning section looks at how a student thinks rather than what they have been taught; the English section looks at reading and language; and a short piece of writing is passed on to schools for them to read.
| Part | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Reasoning | Verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning, based on GL Assessment's CAT4 （to be confirmed） |
| English | Reading and English proficiency （to be confirmed） |
| Writing | A short piece of writing sent to schools （to be confirmed） |
Reasoning
- What it measures
- Verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning, based on GL Assessment's CAT4 （to be confirmed）
English
- What it measures
- Reading and English proficiency （to be confirmed）
Writing
- What it measures
- A short piece of writing sent to schools （to be confirmed）
The format can change. Always check the official UKiset site (opens in a new tab).
02 / How schools use it
Results, not a pass mark.
Results are sent to the schools the family chooses, and each school decides how to use them alongside its own assessments. UKiset is not a pass or fail test.
Not every UK school uses UKiset. Check each school's admissions requirements before booking a test date.
03 / From Hong Kong
Sitting it from Hong Kong.
Where and how students in Hong Kong sit UKiset: （to be confirmed）.
UK school years start in September. Before you plan a test date, check which UK year group your child is applying for — see the application timeline.
04 / Preparing
How to prepare.
- Know the formatPractise each question type so the format holds no surprises.
- Build English and mathsReasoning tests reward a broad vocabulary and confident number skills, which take time.
- Practise to timeTimed practice in the weeks before the test.
About this article
- Written by
- （to be confirmed）
- Reviewed by
- （to be confirmed）
- Last updated
- 2026-10-29
- First published
- 2026-10-29
Sources
- UKiset — official site (opens in a new tab)ukiset.com
- GL Assessment — CAT4 (opens in a new tab)gl-assessment.co.uk
Related
- CourseUKiset preparation courseOne-to-one online lessons that cover each part of the test, planned back from your schools' deadlines.
- Column · Boarding schoolsPlanning a UK boarding school applicationMany schools ask for an entrance test before their own exams or interviews, so the plan is worked back from each school's registration deadline. This article sets out the steps in order, starting with the UK year group your child is applying for.
- Column · ExamsThe ISEB Pre-Test,What the test is, which schools ask for it and how it fits into an application.
Related course
UKiset preparation.
One-to-one online lessons that cover each part of the test, planned back from your schools' deadlines.