Selection tests for schools

Identify learners with the skills for academic success

We give governments and schools across the world the tools to select students with the potential to succeed in academic secondary education.

Whether you are introducing a new school curriculum, looking to raise standards, or select students for gifted and talented or scholarship programmes, our assessments help you identify learners with the right skills for academic progression.

We provide all learners with the opportunity to show their potential, regardless of their background.

Our approach to student assessment

Our selection tests for schools focus on two key areas that provide the foundation for academic progression. They assess core skills and behaviours that enable learning, rather than assessing knowledge acquired from school.

Thinking skills – assesses problem solving and critical thinking, important academic skills that are crucial to success in a wide range of subjects.

Mathematical reasoning – assesses core mathematical reasoning skills that underpin further maths learning.

We also offer assessments in the following areas to support evidence-based selection decisions:

Reading comprehension – assesses a wide range of key reading skills including skimming, scanning, deducing meaning from context, and understanding of attitude, opinion and implication.

Structured writing – assesses candidates’ ability to communicate effectively in writing on a range of topics.

Non-cognitive assessment – identifies student behavioural competencies such as resilience, communication and collaboration skills that support academic success and can be developed.

We ensure selective tests are accessible to all candidates, so there is no need for coaching colleges or paid-for preparation courses. Our test content is also designed to be directly relevant to school content so that limited preparation is required.

Why use our selection tests for schools?

Our experience in developing and administering high-quality assessments means we manage all aspects of the testing process, allowing you to:

• provide a fair and transparent approach to selection
• identify students who will thrive on your programme of education
• assess skills and competencies rather than prior learning 
• apply a holistic approach to education
• understand behavioural competencies to identify student support requirements.   

Who uses our selection tests for schools?

‘The initiative is aimed at choosing the best children – the knowledgeable, talented children. Cambridge Assessment has a long-lasting reputation in organising and conducting this type of admissions test around the world in many different countries. It’s a very interesting project. It’s challenging, but our colleagues from Cambridge Assessment are very co-operative and supportive.’

Amirulla Abdullaev
Head of the Presidential Schools Implementation Project, Uzbekistan

Read the full case study

Interested in using selection tests for schools? Please leave your details and we’ll be in touch.