Keystone Tutors Blog
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Children's Writing Competition 2025
Creative Writing Competition and Free Creative Writing Workshop Keystone Tutors are excited to launch of our very first Creative Writing Competition and we warmly invite young writers aged 5-13 to get involved! Whether your child is already a passionate storyteller or just beginning their writing journey, this is a wonderful opportunity to develop their imagination, sharpen their writing skills, and gain creative confidence.
GCSE Results Day 2025 - What You Need to Know
GCSE Results Day 2025 is almost upon us (Thursday 21st August) so we thought it might be helpful to share some top tips to help you to navigate the day.
A Level Results Day 2025: How to Prepare and What to Expect
With A level Results day almost upon us (Thursday 14th August), here is a helpful guide to ensure you are appropriately prepared.
Primary Summer Learning Recommendations
Creative Ideas to Keep Children Engaged Over the HolidaysSummer holidays are a wonderful opportunity for parents to explore enriching, creative learning opportunities with their children without the usual term-time rush. At Keystone, we believe the best summer learning happens when it aligns with your child’s own interests, whether it’s a favourite artist, animal, historical period, or a country they are curious about.
Secondary Summer Learning Recommendations
Creative Ideas to Support Summer Learning for Secondary Aged Students Summer holidays provide a well-earned break for secondary-aged students, but a complete pause in learning can make the return to school in September feel overwhelming. As the summer holidays approach, many parents find themselves with more time to explore enriching, creative learning opportunities with their children.
How to get a 9 in GCSE English Language
Achieving a grade 9 in GCSE English Language requires a clear strategy, consistent habits, and a strong understanding of what the exam demands. In this article, Florence has compiled some useful insights and guidance on how best to prepare for the GCSE English Language exam along with her top tips for achieving a Grade 9.
How to Write a Modern Languages Personal Statement for Oxbridge
When it comes to writing a Modern Languages personal statement for Oxbridge, anxiety tends to run quite high.
Philosophy Super Curricular Activities
Super-curricular learning is where a student explores their subject beyond what is required by the school or by the exam specification. It is therefore inherently self-motivated, allowing you to explore what you find most interesting, on your own terms. It is most impressive when evidencing a genuine passion for the subject, rather than being just a hasty means of plumping out a UCAS personal statement or preparing for interview.Philosophy is an active subject.
Applying to Study English at Cambridge University
Securing a place to study, or ‘read’ English at Cambridge University is a challenging task. Extremely able candidates from around the world compete for a limited number of places, and it is essential to prepare for this competitive process effectively.In the article below, Keystone Tutors provide an overview of the best approach to take, some top tips, and even an inside view on the application process from a tutor who read English at Cambridge.
Applying to Study English at Oxford University
In the article below, Oxford alumnus and Keystone Tutor Florence outlines the best approach to take when applying to study English at Oxford. Florence is an experienced tutor who has worked across the age range, helping over 170 Keystone clients. While first completing a DPhil and then working as a research fellow at Oxford, Florence held several teaching and lecturing roles.
Politics Super Curricular Activities
Super-curricular learning is where a student explores their subject beyond what is required by the school or by the exam specification. It is therefore inherently self-motivated, allowing you to explore what you find most interesting, on your own terms. It is most impressive when evidencing a genuine passion for the subject, rather than being just a hasty means of plumping out a UCAS personal statement or preparing for interview.
Guide to Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) at Oxford
Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) is one of the best-known undergraduate courses that you can read at Oxford.It has been offered since 1921, and it’s rooted in the view that it’s helpful to approach problems in society from the perspectives of several complementary disciplines and frameworks. In Oxford terms it is a relatively young course at only 100 years old(!), so PPE is known as ‘Modern Greats’ where Classics is the original ‘Greats’.
Webinar: 16+ Preparation
In this webinar, Keystone's Director of Asia, Jenny McGowan and Keystone's Managing Director, Ed Richardson discussed all of the key steps, from registration timelines to assessment and interview formats. They advise on how and when to start preparing for 16+ assessments and interviews, along with other application requirements including 16+ personal statements. This webinar is useful for anyone looking to apply to join UK schools for sixth form.
Upcoming Webinars
Here are details of our upcoming webinars. Do join us live to ask any questions you might have or register below to receive a recording after the event.
Webinar: A Guide to Pre-Test Preparation
In recent years, many independent senior schools have incorporated ‘Pre-tests’ as an initial entry assessment for Year 7 and 9 entry. Pre-tests commonly form the first stage of the admissions process, and schools use them to identify the students who are most suitable to proceed to the next stage. Pre-tests can be administered in written form or on a computer, with the ISEB Common Pre-Test, CEM Test and the CAT 4 being the most widely used.
ISEB Pre-Test Scores and Pass Mark
For many families applying to UK independent schools, the ISEB Common Pre-Test is one of the first academic hurdles in the admissions test process. Yet, many parents are unsure how the test is scored, what constitutes a good score, or if there is even a set pass mark. In this article, we break down the key information you need to know about ISEB Pre-Test scores and how they are used by senior schools.
The Modern and Medieval Languages Admissions Assessment (MML) - Cambridge
Any candidate applying to study Modern Languages at Oxford or Cambridge will have to sit a written paper as part of the admissions process: The Modern Languages Aptitude Test (MLAT) at Oxford and the Modern and Medieval Languages Admissions Assessment (MML) at Cambridge, which this blog describes. There are big differences between the two tests, from the structure and what they are testing to when they are sat. This blog covers the Cambridge MMLAA.
How to Write an English Personal Statement for Oxbridge
When it comes to writing an English Literature personal statement for Oxbridge, anxiety tends to run quite high.
Studying Law at Oxford University
The undergraduate Law course at Oxford University is called ‘Jurisprudence’, which signals its historically broader approach to include Law’s underlying philosophical principles. Unlike other universities, the final award is a BA (Bachelor of Arts) rather than an LLB (Bachelor of Laws). It nonetheless has the same official status as a qualifying law degree for those wishing to become a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales.
The Eton List Test & Interview: A Guide to Eton College Admissions
Eton College is one of the United Kingdom’s best known and most prestigious independent schools, founded in 1440 AD by King Henry VI, and famous for having educated many British politicians, scientists, and creative talents. As such, the process of securing a place is highly competitive. Entry at 13+ requires students to pass several stages, including the Eton List Test, the ISEB Common Pre-Test, and an interview.
The Oxford Maths Admissions Test (MAT) Guide
What is the MAT?The Maths Admissions Test (MAT) is the admissions test used by Oxford University for degrees in Mathematics. If you’re applying for a Maths or Computer Science degree at Oxford, then you must take this test. (The MAT is no longer used by Imperial College, who now use the TMUA).If you apply to study Maths at the University of Warwick then you may be encouraged to take the MAT.
The LNAT Exam Guide
The National Admissions Test for Law, or LNAT, can seem like a formidable hurdle for many students applying to read law at university; this is particularly the case when one considers the historically low average scores (usually around 50%) and the fact that many students do not know what to expect.
A Guide to the TMUA
This guide is for anyone applying to a university programme where applicants must first complete the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA). In the sections below you can find out if you need to sit the test and how you go about doing that. There is also some advice on how best to prepare for the test and how important the test will be to your application to study mathematics at university.
Guide to Admissions: Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) at Cambridge
Do I need to sit an entrance test for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at Cambridge? The admissions process for those wishing to study PBS at Cambridge has changed for 2025/6 entry. Candidates will no longer required to sit the PBSAA (Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Admissions Assessment) which is no longer in use. Some Cambridge Colleges will however require you to sit what is called an at-college assessment.
A Guide to the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a medical and dental course admissions test used, and created by, multiple universities across the UK, Australia and New Zealand. It is used to assess candidates in conjunction with your UCAS application and is an important part of your application. Make sure to check the entry criteria for your desired course to see if the test is a requirement. The importance of your UCAT score varies across universities.
A Guide to the Oxford Physics Aptitude Test (PAT)
This guide is for anyone applying to sit Physics (or a number of other STEM courses) at the University of Oxford. In the sections below you can find out if you need to sit the test and how you go about doing it. There is also advice on how best to prepare for the test and how important the test will be to your application to study at Oxford.
A Guide to the PhilAT (Philosophy Test) for Oxford University
What is the PhilAT (Philosophy Test)?The PhilAT is a 60-minute online test for those applying to study Philosophy and Theology at Oxford University. The parameters are simple - to test a candidate's philosophical reasoning skills – and there is zero expectation that applicants will have studied philosophy in any formal way. This is not a test of your philosophical knowledge.
A Guide to Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test (AHCAAT)
What is the AHCAAT? The AHCAAT (Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test) is a new online test, first introduced in 2024, that all candidates applying for Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Oxford University must sit. It may be worth saying that, for the first two years of its running, it has been stated by Oxford that the test will be considered as a pilot. It will be used only to supply ‘extra information’ on a candidate's application.
A Guide to the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
The Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) is a critical assessment for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate courses in engineering and science at some of UK’s leading universities. As of 2025 it is used by Cambridge University, Imperial College and UCL, with more institutions potentially signing up in future years. Make sure to check the entry criteria for your desired course to see if the test is a requirement.
Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)
Do I need to sit the TSA?The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) is a form of assessment used to measure aptitude in critical thinking and problem-solving. The TSA is a requirement only for those looking to study certain courses at Oxford University: Philosophy, Politics and EconomicsEconomics and ManagementExperimental PsychologyHistory and EconomicsHuman SciencesPsychology, Philosophy and Linguistics.
