Entrance Exam Preparation: 13+ & 16+
Entrance Exam Preparation: 13+ & 16+
Winning a place at a leading school is decided years before sixth form. The 13+ and 16+ entrance exams are where it happens, and the Mathematics papers are where most candidates are separated.
I'm passionate about my work. Entrance exams reward exactly what I train: deep foundations, unfamiliar problem-solving, and composure under time pressure. These papers are deliberately set beyond the school curriculum, so being "good at maths at school" is not enough. The candidates who stand out are the ones taught to think, not just to follow methods.
I'm Mehdi Naqvi, regarded as one of the UK's leading Mathematics tutors. I taught myself GCSE Maths at thirteen and A-Level Maths at fifteen, both two years early, achieving an A* in both, so I know first-hand what it means to perform beyond your school year, which is precisely what these exams demand. Many of my students attend the schools these exams lead to, including Eton, Harrow, Westminster, St Paul's and Sevenoaks, so I know the standard required at the door. I prepare candidates for the Mathematics papers at 13+ (Common Entrance and scholarship) and 16+ sixth-form entry, teaching online, worldwide.
To arrange a session or simply ask a question, contact me on WhatsApp or fill in the form. I reply to every enquiry within 24 hours.
Contact me
Meet your Tutor
My Education:
University:
University College London, Economics Bsc, Grade: First Class Honours Degree
A-levels:
Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Economics, Physics Grade (A*,A,A,A)
Teaching Experience
12 + years of teaching and tutoring experience
Established and ran the A-level Economics and Further Mathematics departments at a prestigious private sixth form college in London
Founded one of the UK's leading tuition centres/agencies, working with families and schools (state and private) for exam success
Privately contracted by renowned private colleges in London for intensive crash courses during the exam season
Worked privately one on one with students for 12+ years, students from all backgrounds, learning styles and abilities
Other interests:
Top ranked junior tennis player in the UK and played tennis to a professional level, competing in tournaments across Europe, Asia, and Africa
Fluent in English and Italian
My tutoring approach
I'm passionate about my work. Every student is a project in their own right, and my job is to maximise three things: their grade, their belief in themselves, and their interest in the subject. Whether it's a rapid turnaround before exams, ongoing support across the course, or complete delivery of the syllabus from scratch, I take real pride in delivering excellence to every student I take on. My approach rests on four pillars:
Identifying & Filling Gaps
Every student begins with a careful diagnosis, drawing on school reports, past papers and my own assessment to establish exactly where the gaps and areas for development lie. From there I prioritise: we address first the topics where the most marks are to be gained, and tailored lessons with weekly personalised homework close each gap in the right order.
Syllabus Mastery & Exam Technique
Formally trained in marking, and liaising closely with examiners, I teach students exactly what earns marks: applying knowledge, structuring answers, and reaching the justified conclusions examiners reward. We refine it all through past papers and timed practice under real conditions.
Building Belief
With training in performance psychology and coaching, I work deliberately on how students see themselves. Interest in the subject returns, confidence grows with every success, and students begin raising their own expectations of what is possible.
Structure & Accountability
I build each student's revision timetable and homework schedule around their school term, review progress every week, and keep the end goal clearly in sight: the grade, the university place, and the standard they are truly capable of.
Testimonials
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My daughter really enjoys the lessons with Mehdi and her understanding of economics has improved enormously in a reasonably short space of time. I’m very pleased and would not hesitate to recommend him.
Parent, Dame Malace Owens (GCSE results: Mathematics A* (L9), Economics A* (L9))
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Mehdi has been fantastic in helping our daughter with KS3 Mathematics. His engaging lessons have made her more enthusiastic about the subject and improved her overall understanding.
Parent, The Lady Eleanor Holles School
What your child will sit: 13+ and 16+ explained
13+ Entry & Scholarships
Selection for 13+ begins earlier than most families realise. The top boarding schools screen candidates in Year 6 or 7through the ISEB Common Pre-Tests (online, adaptive tests of maths, English and reasoning), with offers confirmed through each school's own Year 8 assessments: Eton's entrance assessment, the Harrow Test, Winchester's own papers, and Common Entrance Mathematics for many others. The scholarship exams sit above all of this: Eton's King's Scholarship, Winchester's Election and Westminster's Challenge are heavily maths-weighted and set well beyond the school curriculum.
I prepare candidates for every stage: Pre-Tests, Common Entrance and school-specific papers, up to scholarship level. The strongest candidates start preparing in Year 5 or 6, and early preparation is precisely what my early-entry background is built for.
16+ Sixth Form Entry
Most top London schools assess 16+ applicants in late October or November of the year before entry. The format varies by school, and knowing the difference is half the preparation:
Subject-paper schools: St Paul's, St Paul's Girls', Westminster, King's College School, North London Collegiate, City of London (Boys and Girls), Hampton, Latymer Upper, Haberdashers' Boys' and Dulwich College set written papers in Mathematics and/or Economics
Reasoning and interview-led schools: UCS Hampstead (thinking-skills assessment and writing task), Godolphin & Latymer and Highgate (interview-led), where preparation focuses on reasoning, articulacy and subject fluency at interview
Boarding: Eton, Harrow and Winchester combine cognitive tests, Maths and general papers, and academic interviews
I prepare candidates for the Mathematics and Economics papers, the reasoning assessments, and the interviews that follow. Test formats and dates change between cycles; I track each school's current requirements so families don't have to.
Lesson Fees
One to one online tuition: £140 per hour
Sessions are run with complete efficiency: no time is wasted and nothing is stretched out. My aim is simple: maximum learning and the highest possible exam result from every hour.
Most students take one or two lessons per week; intensive schedules are available in the run-up to exams and mocks.
Payment is by bank transfer, at least 48 hours before the session to confirm the booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Mathematics papers for 13+ entry (ISEB Common Pre-Tests, Common Entrance and scholarship papers) and 16+ sixth-form entry at leading UK schools, including schools that set their own papers.
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My specialism is Mathematics, where places are most often won and lost, along with the reasoning assessments used by schools like UCS. For other components I can advise on preparation, and through my consultancy I can assemble vetted specialists.
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For 13+, the Pre-Tests arrive in Year 6 or 7, so ideally start in Year 5 or 6. For 16+, the year before entry. Later starts are workable with an intensive schedule, but early preparation removes the pressure entirely.
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It's designed to be unfamiliar: multi-step problems, unusual presentation, and tight timing. Schools are testing how a candidate thinks under pressure, not what they've memorised. That's a trainable skill.
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Many of my students attend them: Eton, Harrow, Westminster, St Paul's, Sevenoaks and others. I know the standard these schools expect because I teach students who are already there.
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Every session is hyper personalised to the student's needs. A typical hour combines targeted content coverage with exam-style questions worked under pressure: technique coaching, immediate feedback, and accelerated learning in the areas that matter most for that student. Confidence and belief building runs through all of it, and homework is set for the week ahead.
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Earlier is always better, but I also specialise in late-stage intensive preparation if exams are close.
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Yes, many of my students board at schools such as Eton, Harrow and Marlborough. We schedule around the school timetable, and I plan tuition content around what they are covering at school.
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Yes, including complete delivery of the full A-Level Economics syllabus from scratch. Homeschooled students I have taught this way have achieved A*s.
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Yes. I have extensive experience supporting students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, dysgraphia and other learning differences, and I'm trained in a range of teaching techniques, so the approach adapts to the student rather than the other way round. I find how each student learns best, and teach that way.
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Small group sessions can be arranged, for example friends or students of similar level preparing for the same exam. Contact me to discuss.
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I have worked with high profile families throughout my career, including well known public figures. Privacy and discretion are absolute.
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All payments are made at least 48 hours before the first session, in order to confirm the lesson slot. Payment is by bank transfer.
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Lessons cancelled within 24 hours of the session are charged at the full rate, as this doesn't leave enough time to offer the hour to another student.