UKiset

UKiset is designed for students aged between 9.5 and 18 years old. They can be any nationality including a native English speaker. We recommend that candidates have a basic grasp of English as there are some test instructions they will need to follow. The test results compare the candidate’s academic skills against British students of the same age and specifically against those studying in the independent sector. UKiset also assesses their level of academic English using a Cambridge English test that provides their current CEFR level.

Students take UKiset because:

• They want to apply to a British independent school
• They want to enter a language school or International study centre in the UK
• For their own knowledge; they want to know how they compare to British students of the same age
• They want to set an objective to see how they progress over the year before entering an educational institution that communicates in English
• Their English teacher would like to set targets to be achieved every six months to ensure the student reaches their potential

We invite all schools to join the UKiset network whether based in the UK or overseas. Schools using UKiset as part of their admissions process can benefit from the rich bank of data that is being created. We provide, free of charge, regular statistics, trends and information on recruitment patterns from around the world.

UKiset has been designed to help schools identify the most suitable candidates. It provides an accurate indicator of an overseas applicant’s academic abilities and compares them directly against their British peers in the UK and specifically, in the independent sector.

It may also:

• fit with your own baseline testing
• eliminate unnecessary paperwork and administrative time
• reduce or eliminate the setting and marking of your own papers
• allow decisions to be made more quickly

The UKiset profile for schools consists of a complete overview of the candidate’s potential. The aim is to provide enough information for schools to make an informed decision on whether this applicant is a good fit for them and whether they wish to pursue this application further.

The School Profile includes:

• A full student profile sheet, including a photo and full contact details.
• Standardised scores for core processing skills, verbal, non-verbal and maths
• Scores include Stanine and National Percentile Ranking Predicted future grades at GCSE and A-Level (where appropriate)
• Comparisons with the British state and independent sectors
• Current CEFR level and IELTS-equivalent English score
• The student’s English essay

UKiset is a set of assessments that many British independent schools ask overseas students to take. The results show how the candidate compares to students of the same age in the British school system and more specifically, within the independent school sector. The evaluation assesses the child’s underlying learning skills through a vocabulary test, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning plus their level of English in reading, listening and writing.

How does it work?

An agent or the family can register candidates for UKiset online. A test is arranged locally for the student. UKiset has a large network of test centres worldwide, and will endeavour to find an appropriate test centre location for every candidate. Alternatively, online invigilation is also available.

The candidate chooses the schools to which they would like to send their results. Within 24 hours of the test taking place the UKiset profile report is sent to the agent, the family and any selected schools. School choices can be made either before the test takes place or after the results have been processed.

How does it benefit your clients?

The biggest benefit is that UKiset is a single assessment that can be used to apply to multiple schools. Prior to UKiset, students would have to prepare for, and sit, unique tests for every school to which they applied. This could mean hours of preparation and testing over a number of weeks. UKiset can be sent to schools prior to registering with them. As a result, applying for competitive places at selective schools becomes much cheaper as families only pay registration fees at the schools where their child has a chance of gaining a place.

By using UKiset to assess your student’s learning potential and their standard of English, agents and consultants have an independent, internationally-recognised evaluation upon which to base their advice. The test results may mean suggesting additional tutoring; or helping the family focus on more realistic school choices; or helping them aim for the very best school. UKiset provides the evidence to back up this advice. Ukiset facilitates faster responses from schools enabling agents to work more efficiently.