Your school guide
Marlborough College
Marlborough College begins at age 13, with Year 6 or Year 7 assessment for a later Year 9 place.
Independent school · Marlborough, Wiltshire
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Meet the school
At a glance
Facts checked
Marlborough College, Bath Road, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1PA
Plan your approach
Entry information
For September 2029 entry
Marlborough College is a co-educational boarding school with entry from age 13, so it has no direct Year 7/11+ intake. For 13+ entry, most pupils are assessed in Year 6; a smaller group can be assessed in Year 7. The school’s process includes ISEB Pre-Tests at the pupil’s current school, a school reference and a College assessment day. The College advertises open days for 13+ entry in 2029, 2030 and 2031 on 24 April and 12 June 2027.
Entry stage: Year 9 / 13+
What the assessment covers
- English
- Mathematics
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
- Writing task
Assessment provider: ISEB Pre-Tests
The admissions process
- The school’s 13+ page says most pupils are assessed in Year 6; a smaller cohort is assessed in Year 7, with some shortlisted applicants assessed in Year 8 if places permit.
- Register through the College admissions portal. The school recommends submitting by the end of Year 5 (or Year 6 for assessment in Year 7); its generic published registration closing dates are 9 October of Year 6 or Year 7 respectively.
- The ISEB Pre-Tests are taken at the child’s current school between September and December of Year 6 (or Year 7). The College requests a current-school reference in the Michaelmas Term.
- The College assessment day is in January of Year 6 or February of Year 7 and includes a short writing task, interactive group activities and an interview. Offers are made toward the end of the Lent Term.
- The College lists 13+ entry open days for 2029, 2030 and 2031 on 24 April and 12 June 2027; families can arrange another visit through Admissions.
Read the official details: Admissions information from Department for Education
Go to the source
Official links for your shortlist
Use the school’s current admissions information to check which sample papers or familiarisation materials apply to your child’s entry year.
Know what to expect
Follow the school’s assessment guidance.
ISEB says additional preparation is not required for its Pre-Tests. Its free Pre-Tests Walkthrough lets pupils explore the online player and accessibility options before test day.
Read the official guidance: Independent Schools Examinations Board
Keep the practical steps clear
Your application starting points
Use the official links on this page to answer these questions for your child’s entry year.
Check the entry point and eligibility
Confirm the year group, age requirements and any conditions that apply to your child.
Put the right dates in your diary
Note any published registration, assessment, application and offer-response dates that apply to your child’s route. They may be separate steps.
Follow the assessment guidance
Check what the school asks your child to do and whether it recommends any preparation. Use its own instructions and the assessment provider’s advice.
Check fees and financial support
Look at fees, bursaries and scholarships, including any separate forms, evidence and deadlines.
Picture your child’s everyday life here.
An open day is a chance to look beyond the exam. Useful questions to take with you:
- How do you help new pupils settle in and make friends?
- Who can a child turn to when they feel worried or stuck?
- How do you help pupils recover from a setback and discover their strengths?
Know where to focus
See what your child is learning.
See the topics your child has practised, revisit questions that need another look and choose a focus for the next session. Plusling helps you put your time where it can be useful.
- Topic summaries and practice history
- Choose topics in Focus Practice
- Progress to discuss with the adults helping them
A little learning, often
Build confidence one question at a time.
Explore Plusling together for everyday learning. Try five free questions and talk through the feedback.
Before you apply
- Ask Admissions to confirm the appropriate registration deadline for the 13+ cohort and assessment year.
Plusling’s guide to Marlborough College is independently written. The school and its admissions authority publish the official arrangements.
Contains government school-register data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Primary sources
- Marlborough College: establishment details Department for Education
- 13+ entry Marlborough College
- Visit Marlborough College Marlborough College
- Preparing for the Pre-Tests - ISEB Independent Schools Examinations Board
- Contact and location | Marlborough College Marlborough College