# What is UKiset?

Source: https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/guides/admissions/ukiset

UKiset is an online assessment that UK independent schools may ask overseas applicants to take. It looks at reasoning and English, and schools read the results together with their own exams and interviews. This guide explains what it involves for a student applying from outside the UK.

## Sections of the test.

| Section | What it looks at |
|---|---|
| Reasoning | Verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning, drawing on GL Assessment's CAT4 (to be confirmed) |
| English | Reading and command of English (to be confirmed) |
| Writing | A short written piece that is passed to schools (to be confirmed) |

The format may change. Check the [official UKiset site](https://www.ukiset.com/) for the current version.

## Who sits the test.

- Students living outside the UK who apply to schools that ask for UKiset (to be confirmed)
- Results go to the schools the family selects, and each school decides how much weight to give them

## Taking it from home.

How and where UKiset can be taken outside the UK: (to be confirmed).

Schools usually want UKiset results before their own exams or interviews, so the test date is planned backwards from each school's registration deadline. If your child's current school year does not start in September, confirm the UK year group first — the [application timeline](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/guides/admissions/application-timeline) shows how.

## Getting ready.

1. **Learn the question types**: Work through each kind of question so nothing on the day is unfamiliar.
2. **Strengthen English and maths**: Reasoning sections draw on vocabulary and number confidence, both of which build over months rather than days.
3. **Practise under time**: Timed sets in the final weeks before the test.

## About UKiset.

**Does a student pass or fail UKiset?**

No. Schools receive the results and use them alongside their own assessments.

**Can the test be retaken?**

(to be confirmed)

**Is UKiset required by every UK school?**

No. Each school lists what it asks for in its admissions requirements.

- [UKiset — official site](https://www.ukiset.com/)
- [GL Assessment — CAT4](https://www.gl-assessment.co.uk/)

## Related

- [UKiset preparation course](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/courses/ukiset)
- [The ISEB Pre-Test](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/guides/admissions/iseb-pre-test)
- [UK boarding schools](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/boarding-schools/uk)

## Plan the preparation.

Tell us which schools you are looking at, your child's age and where you live.

- [Book a consultation](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/trial)

Updated: 2026-10-31

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ELT School is operated by ELT Education Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) and ELT School of English Ltd. (London, United Kingdom). All lessons are contracted with ELT Education Inc.