The International School Entrance Test: What Parents Need to Know When preparing a child for international school, many parents wonder whether the entrance test is difficult, what their child should revise, and whether the results affect admission. In reality, an international school entrance test does more than check knowledge — it helps the school understand a child's current level, so it can plan the right learning pathway, English support and class placement. In this guide, Westlink walks parents through the purpose, the process and what to prepare before their child sits the test. The International School Entrance Test What Is an International School Entrance Test? An international school entrance test is a set of assessments used to evaluate a student's abilities before admission, typically covering academic skills, English, and readiness for an international curriculum. What the Test Is Really For Unlike traditional entrance exams designed to rank students, our assessment is not a pass-or-fail hurdle. Its focus is helping the school understand where a student currently stands, what support they need, and which learning pathway suits them best. For example, a student who hasn't yet reached the expected English level can still be admitted if their overall ability is a good fit. In that case, the school may offer English language support such as EAL, or build an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) to help the student settle into the international learning environment. Why Do IB Schools Need an Entrance Assessment? IB schools don't teach a fixed syllabus to the whole class. Each student follows an inquiry-based, student-centred pathway, so the school needs to know exactly where each child is starting from. At schools within International Schools Partnership (ISP) — a network of 116 schools across 25 countries, educating over 110,000 students — entrance assessments are standardised, so students can move between countries without losing continuity in their learning pathway. That's why the test isn't administrative box-ticking; it's the starting point for a personalised journey for your child. What Makes an International School Entrance Test Different? 5 Defining Traits Before looking at specific test types, it helps to understand five traits shared by international school entrance tests. These traits are quite different from public school exams, and they're why many parents find the concept unfamiliar at first. Personalised Many tests use an adaptive format — the computer adjusts question difficulty based on the previous answer. Answer correctly, and the next question gets harder. Answer incorrectly, and it gets easier. As a result, two students sitting next to each other can end up with completely different sets of questions. This makes "practising sample papers" — a familiar strategy in Vietnamese exams — largely ineffective. MAP and CAT4 are two typical examples, covered in more detail below. International These tests aren't invented by individual schools. Most are developed by independent international assessment bodies. MAP is developed by NWEA (US). CAT4 comes from Cambridge CEM (UK). WIDA is standardised by the WIDA Consortium (US). IB schools also reference the IB Continuum to guide their assessment approach. This means your child's results in Hanoi can be compared directly with peers in Singapore, London or Dubai. Multi-Dimensional An international school entrance test assesses several dimensions at once: maths, reading comprehension, language use, logical thinking, and usually an interview to gauge spoken English. For younger children, schools also observe social interaction and readiness for school. Parents used to rote-learning for exams may find this approach unfamiliar — but it's a genuine way to measure a child's real ability. Predictive Public school entrance exams measure what a child has already learned. An international school entrance test also tries to measure what a child is capable of learning. That's why CAT4 assesses spatial and non-verbal reasoning — skills that don't depend on any particular curriculum a child has studied. As a result, the results stay useful for years, not just on test day. Supportive This is the biggest difference from Vietnam's exam culture. A low test score doesn't mean rejection. Schools use the results to design a support pathway — extra EAL classes, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), or targeted support in weaker subjects. Once parents understand this, the test stops feeling like a barrier and starts to look like the first conversation between the school and the family. International tests assess multiple dimensions and predict learning potential 6 Common Types of Entrance Tests at International Schools in Vietnam With these shared traits in mind, it's easier to tell apart the six specific test types used by international schools in Vietnam. Each has its own purpose and mechanism. Test Type Format Subjects Assessed Suitable Age Purpose MAP (NWEA) Adaptive, computer-based Maths, Reading, Language Use Grade 3 and up Class placement + progress tracking CAT4 Standardised Verbal, quantitative, spatial and non-verbal reasoning Grade 3 to Grade 12 Measures learning potential WIDA Standardised 4 English skills Kindergarten to Grade 12 (for non-native English speakers) Determines EAL level School-designed test Paper or computer-based Maths, English Varies by school Quick baseline screening Interview + Writing sample In person Communication, thinking, writing Grade 1 and up Assesses soft skills Observation Activity-based observation Interaction, language Early Years (ages 3–5) Assesses school readiness MAP Test (NWEA) MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) is the most widely used adaptive assessment at international schools. Developed by NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association, US), MAP measures maths, reading and language use. There's no time limit. Results come back as a RIT score — a standard scale that lets your child's results be compared with millions of students worldwide. CAT4 (Cambridge CEM) CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) comes from Cambridge CEM (UK). Unlike MAP, it focuses on learning potential rather than current knowledge. The test has four sections — verbal, quantitative, spatial and non-verbal reasoning. A student who isn't yet strong in English can still do well on the spatial and non-verbal sections. WIDA WIDA (World-class Instructional Design and Assessment) is an English proficiency assessment built specifically for non-native speakers. It covers all four skills — listening, speaking, reading and writing. The results help the school decide what level of EAL support your child needs, from light support to intensive EAL classes. School-Designed Maths and English Test Many schools also use their own in-house test, designed by their teachers. Its purpose is to check foundational skills against the school's specific curriculum. This type is more flexible, but less standardised than the international tests. English Interview and Writing Sample The entrance interview isn't a grammar test. A teacher talks with your child to assess natural communication, confidence, and how they think in English. The writing sample asks your child to write a short passage, showing their line of thinking and active vocabulary. Observation for Early Years For children aged 3–5, the "test" is really an observation session. Teachers watch how a child plays, interacts with peers, follows simple instructions, and responds to a new environment. There's no score. No pressure. Six common international school entrance tests compared by format, subjects, and purpose. Which Test Will Your Child Take, by Grade? Each stage of school uses an assessment method suited to a child's age and ability. Parents can find the right stage within Westlink's learning pathway to picture this more clearly. Early Years (Ages 3–5) For Early Years, the school runs a 60–90 minute observation session. Your child plays with educational toys, joins small group activities, and interacts with a teacher. Parents may also be invited for a private conversation with the person leading the session to share more about their child. Gentle preparation tip: Make sure your child has slept well, eaten properly, and arrives in a happy mood. There's nothing to "revise" — the more natural they are, the better. Primary PYP (Grade 1–5) PYP students typically sit a basic maths and English test (45–60 minutes), plus a short 15–20 minute interview with a teacher. Some schools add MAP for students from Grade 3 onward. Gentle preparation tip: Get your child comfortable using a computer if they haven't had much practice. Chat in English naturally at home — don't push vocabulary lists. Secondary MYP (Grade 6–10) This stage has the most complete assessment process. Your child sits MAP or CAT4 (1.5–2 hours), plus a writing sample (30–45 minutes) and an English interview (20–30 minutes). The whole process usually takes half a day. Gentle preparation tip: Read age-appropriate English books for 2–3 months before the test. Writing a short English diary entry each day helps build writing fluency. IB Diploma (Grade 11–12) For DP, schools weigh a student's academic record from the past 2–3 years more heavily. The assessment usually focuses on in-depth writing and an interview about academic direction, especially the six IB DP subjects a student plans to take. Gentle preparation tip: Prepare answers to two classic questions: "Why this school?" and "What are your university plans?" Honesty matters more than polish. International school entrance assessments vary by level from Early Years through DP. Is the Test "Hard"? 5 Common Parent Misconceptions Most parental worry comes from misconceptions that have never been addressed. Here are the five most common, and the reality behind them. "Failing means my child can't attend" The reality: most international school entrance tests are placement tools, not pass-or-fail exams. Schools typically only decline a student when the overall assessment — records, interview, English level — shows the current programme isn't the right fit, not because of a single test. "Weak English means my child will be rejected" The reality: this is the most common worry for parents moving a child from public school. International schools run EAL programmes designed exactly for this situation. The test determines what level of support your child needs, not whether they're admitted. How Westlink supports students who aren't yet fluent in English is a good example of this in practice. "We need intensive MAP/CAT4 tutoring" The reality: as covered earlier, the adaptive format makes practising sample papers largely pointless. Two students sitting side by side get different sets of questions. More importantly, intensive tutoring can add pressure and backfire on test day. "It's the same as public school entrance exams" The reality: the two are fundamentally different. Public school exams measure what's already been learned and rank students to filter them out. International school tests also measure potential and use the results to personalise a learning pathway. Bringing a "pass-or-fail" mindset to it only creates unnecessary stress for parents and children alike. "If my child fails, it's down to ability" The reality: ability is only part of the picture. Test-day nerves, an unfamiliar environment, being new to computers, or tiredness from travel — all of these affect results. That's why many schools allow a retake once a child has had time to settle in. Preparing Your Child for an International School Entrance Test Good preparation doesn't mean intensive tutoring. Here are five simple principles to help your child walk into test day feeling their best. Get comfortable with a computer Students from Vietnamese public schools often have little experience testing on a computer. In the 2–4 weeks before the test, let your child use a laptop to type, do online exercises and read on screen. The goal is to remove technical barriers, not to cram knowledge. Build conversational English, not vocabulary lists The entrance interview measures natural communication, not a vocabulary list. Watching films, listening to podcasts, or chatting in English at home for 30 minutes a day will do more good than forcing your child to memorise 50 new words a week. Keep your child calm before test day Don't revise the night before. Have your child go to bed early and eat a proper breakfast on test morning. Avoid pressure-loaded phrases like "do your best, passing means a good school" — instead, try something like: "Today you're just going so your teacher can get to know you." Attend a trial day or school tour first This is the most overlooked but most effective tip. Bring your child to the school at least once before the test — through a tour or a trial day. They'll get familiar with teachers, classrooms and the journey there. By test day, they'll feel far less anxious. Be open with admissions about your child's weak points Don't hide anything. If your child isn't strong in English, has faced learning difficulties, or has recently been through a difficult life event, tell the Admissions Counsellor. They can adjust the process accordingly. International schools value honesty far more than a "perfect" profile on paper. What Does the Entrance Test Look Like at Westlink International School Hanoi? Westlink International School runs its entrance assessment through a low-pressure process, giving parents enough information to decide before enrolling. The school belongs to the ISP network of 116 schools across 25 countries, and has been IB-accredited since 1 May 2024. Westlink's Overall Admissions Process The test isn't the first step. Westlink's admissions process has several stages: filling in an enquiry form, booking a tour, submitting an application, joining a trial day, meeting the Academic Leadership team, and finally receiving an offer letter and a welcome to Westlink. This order lets students get used to the learning environment before sitting the test. Admissions commits to responding to every enquiry within 24 hours, so parents have all the information they need before making a decision. Westlink's overall admissions process How Westlink Assesses Students by Grade To assess students accurately, Westlink uses a testing method suited to each stage — from Early Years observation through to in-depth assessment for MYP and the IB Diploma. Early Years (ages 3–5): observation of play and social interaction — no formal test. PYP (Grade 1–5): a basic maths and English assessment, plus a short interview so teachers can understand the student's ability. MYP (Grade 6–10) and IB Diploma (Grade 11–12): an in-depth assessment of academic thinking, writing skills and a detailed interview, while Bilingual MYP also includes a Vietnamese language assessment. Image caption: Westlink assesses students from Early Years through to the IB Diploma Image alt: assessment by grade level EAL Support Westlink is a multinational community with students from over 30 nationalities. EAL support is built into the learning pathway, so students can follow the main curriculum while receiving language support alongside it. The test only determines the level of support needed — it doesn't decide whether a student is admitted. This is usually the biggest concern for parents moving a child from public school or a lighter bilingual programme. Image caption: The EAL programme supports students in improving their English alongside the main curriculum Image alt: EAL support for students Book a Tour, Trial Day and Meet the Academic Leadership Team Before You Decide Parents can book a tour, bring their child along to a trial day, and meet the Academic Leadership team directly to discuss the curriculum. This is a chance for your child to get familiar with the learning environment, and for parents to have all the information they need before the entrance test. The Academic Leadership team can also advise on a learning pathway suited to each student's ability and needs. Image caption: Parents can easily book a tour, trial day and a meeting with the Academic Leadership team Image alt: booking a tour and trial day The Test Is a Starting Point, Not a Barrier Understanding what an international school entrance test really is helps take the pressure off the whole family. The test doesn't exist to keep your child out — it exists to help the school understand your child well enough before the learning journey begins. Book a tour of Westlink so your child can experience the learning environment first-hand and meet our Admissions Counsellor — we'll walk you through the entrance assessment process suited to your child's stage and current background. An international school entrance test doesn't just assess a student's ability — it's also the foundation the school uses to build the right learning pathway for each child. Once parents understand the purpose and process, it becomes far easier to prepare emotionally, prepare the paperwork, and prepare the knowledge their child needs before enrolling. If you're exploring the right international school environment for your child, get in touch with Westlink for detailed guidance and a learning pathway tailored to them.
