Your school guide
The International School Aberdeen
The International School Aberdeen admits to Middle School by individual application and placement review, without a competitive 11+ exam.
Independent school · Aberdeen
Prepare with confidence.
Explore the entry route to The International School Aberdeen below. Supporting a younger child with the 11+ too? Discover Plusling’s original questions, clear explanations and friendly daily practice.
Try five free questions. See the feedback for yourself.
Meet the school
At a glance
Facts checked
- Admissions route
- Middle School (ages 11–14); see official school admissions guidance
- International School Aberdeen
Plan your approach
Entry information
ISA is an international school with a Middle School for ages 11–14; admission is not presented as a selective 11+ examination route. Families first speak with Admissions, may arrange a visit, and apply online (£50 fee per child, capped at £100 for two or more children). Processing may include a meeting with the Principal or tests to assess a student’s needs and identify appropriate grade placement. Admissions: admissions@isa.aberdeen.sch.uk, 01224 730300.
Entry stage: Middle School (ages 11–14)
The admissions process
- Contact Admissions by email or phone to discuss age and grade placement and the application steps.
- Arrange a school visit or attend an open day if helpful.
- Submit the online application; the school lists a £50 fee per child, capped at £100 for two or more children.
- The school may arrange a meeting with the Principal or tests to understand a student’s needs and identify the appropriate grade placement. It does not describe these as a selective entrance examination.
- Middle and High School entrants meet a school counsellor to help with transition and academic scheduling.
Read the official details: Admissions information from International School Aberdeen
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.
From subjects to skills
Explore Plusling’s 11+ practice subjects.
For families preparing for the 11+, these four practice areas offer a useful starting point. Use the relevant official assessment guidance to choose the skills your child needs.
English
A useful place to start
Read a short passage together. Ask your child to find evidence for an answer and explain unfamiliar words in context.
Build on it with Plusling
Build on that reading with Plusling’s English questions and explanations, then choose a topic to practise again.
Start the 5-question English quizMaths
A useful place to start
Ask your child to explain their method, estimate the answer and check the final calculation. Notice which step needs more practice.
Build on it with Plusling
Use Plusling’s original maths questions and worked explanations to make those next practice sessions count.
Start the 5-question maths quizVerbal reasoning
A useful place to start
Talk through word relationships, letter patterns and codes. Encourage your child to explain the rule before choosing an answer.
Build on it with Plusling
Explore words and logic with Plusling’s verbal reasoning quizzes, with feedback that helps the next attempt feel clearer.
Start the 5-question verbal reasoning quizNon-verbal reasoning
A useful place to start
Look for changes in shape, position, shading and direction. Work out one rule at a time before checking it against the choices.
Build on it with Plusling
Give visual reasoning another go in Plusling, with original puzzles and explanations your child can return to.
Start the 5-question non-verbal reasoning quizKeep 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.
Check the assessment guidance
If an assessment applies, look for official examples, question formats, timings and answer instructions to help plan your child’s preparation.
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
Give their preparation a clear direction.
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
For families preparing for the 11+
Discover a friendlier way to practise.
Try Plusling together. Five free questions, clear explanations and a useful first step for your family’s 11+ preparation.
Placement to confirm
- Ask ISA about available places and the grade appropriate to your child’s prior schooling.
Plusling’s guide to The International School Aberdeen 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
- How to Apply International School Aberdeen
- Admissions - ISA | IB World School La Petite French School d'Aberdeen The International School Aberdeen
- Scotland: official school register Scottish Government