If you are researching how to get into Eton College, the main thing to understand is that the admissions process starts several years before a boy joins the school. Boys are normally registered by the end of Year 5, assessed during Year 6 and finally examined in Year 8. Here are 17 things parents need to know about Eton’s admissions process, entrance tests, interviews, fees and financial support.
Last updated: 23 August 2026. Admissions dates and fees can change, so always check the Eton College website before applying.
1. Is Eton College the right school for your son?
Eton College is a boarding school for boys aged 13 to 18. It is located in Windsor, Berkshire. Before applying, families should consider whether their son would enjoy full boarding, challenging academic work and a busy programme of sport, music, drama and other activities.
2. When should you register for Eton?
For normal Year 9 entry, a boy must be registered by 31 August at the end of Year 5. For example, boys applying to enter Eton in 2029 must be registered by 31 August 2026.
These are strict deadlines, so it is sensible to register early. Check the latest dates on the official Eton 13+ admissions page.
3. What is needed to register for Eton?
Parents must complete Eton’s online form, upload an unabridged birth certificate showing parental details and pay the registration fee. The fee is currently £480, including VAT, but is subject to change.
Applications are not complete until the documents and payment have been received. Parents can use the official Eton Year 9 registration form.
4. How does the Eton admissions process work?
The normal 13+ process has two main assessment stages. Stage 1 takes place during the autumn of Year 6 and includes the ISEB Common Pre-Tests and a report from the boy’s head teacher.
Successful boys progress to Stage 2 during the spring or summer of Year 6. This involves an individual interview and another online assessment.
5. What is in the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
The ISEB Common Pre-Tests cover English, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. They are online, multiple-choice and adaptive, which means the difficulty changes according to the answers given.
The results are age-standardised, so younger candidates are not disadvantaged. Eton normally asks boys to take the tests in October or November of Year 6.
6. How should a child prepare for the ISEB tests?
Preparation should build confidence without creating too much pressure. Regular reading, secure spelling and grammar, strong mental arithmetic and experience of verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions will all help.
Children should also become comfortable answering questions on a computer and working within a time limit. Families can find official preparation information in the ISEB admissions toolkit.
7. How important is the head teacher’s report?
Eton requests a report covering the applicant’s academic strengths, interests and character. This means the admissions decision is not based on test scores alone.
A child’s attitude towards learning, contribution to school life and relationships with other people can form part of the wider picture. Consistent effort at school is therefore important.
8. What happens during the second-stage assessment?
Boys selected after Stage 1 visit Eton for an individual interview and an online predictive test of academic ability and potential. Eton says that only minimal computer skills are required.
Assessment dates usually fall between January and May. Results are released at different points between March and July, depending on when the assessment took place.
9. How should a child prepare for the Eton interview?
A child should be comfortable discussing his interests, schoolwork, reading and ideas. He should practise listening carefully, explaining his reasoning and admitting when he does not know something.
Over-rehearsed answers can sound unnatural. Curiosity, honesty and the ability to hold a thoughtful conversation are more useful than memorised speeches.
10. How strong does a child need to be academically?
Competition for Eton is strong. Applicants need secure foundations in English and mathematics together with the ability to solve unfamiliar problems.
Preparation should not simply involve learning increasingly advanced material. Reading widely, asking questions, explaining answers and learning from mistakes can develop the confidence needed for the assessments.
11. Do sport, music and other interests matter?
Genuine interests can demonstrate energy, commitment and character. These might include sport, music, drama, art, science, coding, chess, debating, reading or community activities.
There is no need to manufacture an impressive list. A child who can speak enthusiastically about one or two genuine interests will usually sound more convincing.
12. What happens after a conditional offer?
A conditional place is not the end of the process. It must normally be confirmed by passing the King’s Scholarship, Common Entrance or Eton Entrance examinations in Year 8.
Families who accept an offer also meet potential house masters during Year 7. This helps the school and family find a boarding house that may suit the boy.
13. What happens if a child is placed on the waiting list?
Some applicants receive a waiting-list place instead of an immediate conditional offer. Boys who accept this may be invited back for another assessment during the summer term of Year 7.
Eton says that a number of waiting-list candidates are admitted each year, although the number varies.
14. Can a student apply to Eton for sixth-form entry?
Eton offers approximately 20 fee-paying sixth-form places each year. Candidates should have at least six GCSEs at Grade 7 or the international equivalent, although successful applicants are likely to achieve higher grades.
The process includes predicted grades, school reports, personal-statement questions, cognitive and subject tests, interviews and a school reference. Details can be found on the Eton sixth-form admissions page.
15. What scholarships are available?
At 13+, Eton offers King’s Scholarships and Music Awards. Around 14 King’s Scholarships are awarded each year. Eton does not offer separate sports or art scholarships.
A King’s Scholarship or Music Award does not automatically reduce the school fees. Families who need financial support should also apply for a means-tested bursary.
16. Are bursaries available?
Eton’s means-tested bursaries can cover between 5% and 100% of the fees. In 2023/24, 247 boys received fee reductions, including 99 boys who paid no fees.
Families should indicate their need for assistance early because funding is limited and each application is considered individually. More information is available on Eton’s financial aid page.
17. How much does Eton cost and what should parents do next?
For the 2026/27 academic year, Eton’s fee is £21,891 per term, including VAT. With three terms, this is £65,673 for the academic year before extras. Additional charges are usually between £500 and £1,500 per term. Check the latest figures on Eton’s school fees page.
Parents should check their registration deadline, speak to their child’s current school and begin a calm preparation routine. Families can also book an Eton admissions tour to decide whether the school and its boarding environment are genuinely right for their child.
This is an independent guide and is not connected with or endorsed by Eton College. Always confirm entry requirements, dates and fees directly with the school.