Caerus Latin

How to Use the Site

A guide for parents and pupils preparing for ISEB Common Entrance Latin

What is Caerus Latin?

Caerus Latin is a dedicated online revision resource for pupils preparing for the ISEB Common Entrance Latin examination at 13+. It was built by a prep school teacher specifically to fill a gap: there was no focused digital resource for CE Latin. Everything here is mapped directly to the ISEB syllabus.

It covers CE Latin Levels 1 and 2 — with vocabulary, grammar, exercises, practice papers, and timed recall games to build confidence before the exam. Level 3 scholarship content is in development.

What is ISEB Common Entrance Latin?

Common Entrance Latin (CE) is taken at the end of Year 8 (age 13) as part of applications to senior independent schools. It is set and marked by the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB).

There are three levels:

Level Typical entry Content
Level 1 Most CE candidates Core vocabulary (∼200 words), basic grammar, unseen translation with vocabulary support
Level 2 Schools requiring higher standard Extended vocabulary, more grammar forms, harder translation passages
Level 3 Scholarship/strong linguists Full GCSE-adjacent content, verse translation, extended prose (content in development)

Check with your child’s school which level is required for their senior school applications.

What does Caerus Latin include?

📚

Vocabulary

Complete ISEB vocabulary lists, searchable and filterable by level and word type.

📐

Grammar

All key declension and conjugation tables, clearly laid out for quick reference and revision.

✏️

Exercises

Flashcard and multiple-choice practice, filterable by level and word type.

Speed Recall

A 60-second timed word drill that builds automatic retrieval speed under pressure.

📄

Past Papers

Genuine ISEB past papers at each level, for timed exam practice.

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Practice Papers

Purpose-written practice papers at Levels 1, 2, and 3 for additional exam preparation.

What level should my child use?

Ask your child’s Latin teacher which CE level their school is entering them for. Most candidates sit Level 1 or Level 2. Your child should:

  1. Start with the vocabulary and exercises at their target level.
  2. Use the grammar tables for reference when they encounter something unfamiliar.
  3. Move to past papers once vocabulary and grammar feel solid.

If you are unsure, Level 1 is a safe starting point — it covers the core foundation all other levels build on.

How do I get access?

  1. Go to the login pageVisit Caerus Latin and create a free account with your email address.
  2. Purchase accessA single payment of £49.99 gives your child full access for a complete CE year. This covers all levels, all features, and all future content added during the year.
  3. Share the loginOnce purchased, your child can log in from any device — school computer, home laptop, or tablet. No app to install.
A note on access The subscription is per account. If your child prefers to log in from multiple devices, they should use the same email and password on each. There is no device limit.

How can I support revision at home?

You don’t need to know any Latin to help. The most effective thing parents can do is:

  • Set a routine — 15–20 minutes of Caerus Latin three or four times a week outperforms a single long session.
  • Ask for the score — after a Speed Recall game or an Exercises session, ask your child what they got. Just the act of reporting it reinforces memory.
  • Encourage the leaderboard — the 21-day rolling leaderboard rewards consistency, not just one-off effort.
  • Use the past papers for mock conditions — Level 1 is 45 minutes, Level 2 is 60 minutes. Sit with them for one proper timed paper before the real exam.

Getting started

Once you’ve logged in and your subscription is active, you’ll land on the home screen. Here’s a quick overview of everything available to you.

Vocabulary

This is the complete ISEB vocabulary list — every word you need to know for CE Latin.

  • Use the level filter (L1 / L2 / L3) to focus on the words for your exam.
  • Use the type filter to drill a specific word type (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.).
  • Use the search box to look up a specific Latin word or its English meaning.
Tip Start with Level 1. Once you know those words confidently, move to Level 2. The levels build on each other.

Grammar

All the declension and conjugation tables you need, in one place.

  • Use this as a reference when you’re doing exercises or papers and can’t remember a form.
  • Test yourself by covering one column and trying to recall the endings.

Exercises

Practice vocabulary with flashcards and multiple-choice questions.

  1. Choose your level Use the filter to set which level words to practise.
  2. Choose your mode Flashcard mode shows you the word and you decide if you knew it. Multiple choice gives you options to pick from.
  3. Keep going Words you get wrong come back round. Keep going until you know them all.

Speed Recall

A 60-second word drill. A Latin word appears on screen — you have to give the English translation as fast as you can. Score as many as possible before the timer runs out.

  • Supported mode — Choose from 8 options (one correct, seven distractors).
  • Unsupported mode — Type the translation yourself. Harder, and worth more practice.

After the game, submit your score to the Leaderboard. Scores last 21 days — keep playing to stay on the board.

Tip Unsupported mode is the best preparation for the actual exam — you won’t have options to choose from in the real thing.

Past Papers

Genuine ISEB past papers at Levels 1, 2, and 3.

  • Download the paper for your level.
  • Do it under timed conditions (L1: 45 min · L2: 60 min · L3: 75 min).
  • Mark it using the mark scheme.
  • Any vocabulary you couldn’t remember — go back to the Vocabulary page and drill it.

Practice Papers

Purpose-written papers at each level for additional practice beyond the real past papers.

  • Treat them the same as past papers — timed, on paper, marked at the end.
  • Great for a final week of intensive preparation.

Leaderboard

A rolling 21-day leaderboard showing the best Speed Recall scores. Scores older than 21 days drop off automatically, which means you have to keep playing to stay ranked.

  • Scores are shown with initials and a country flag.
  • Set up your initials and country on the Account page.
  • You can choose whether or not to appear on the leaderboard.

Account

Manage your leaderboard profile here.

  1. Set your initials Up to 3 characters — what shows on the leaderboard.
  2. Choose your country Your flag will appear on the leaderboard next to your initials.
  3. Toggle visibility Decide whether your scores appear on the public leaderboard.

Not sure where to start? Use the Guided Revision Pathway

If you’re new to Caerus Latin, or feel unsure which topics to tackle first, the Guided Revision Pathway will build your revision plan for you.

  1. Take the diagnostic quiz Answer 12 quick questions — about 5 minutes. The site uses your answers to find your starting point. No score is shown while you answer. It’s not a test; it’s a map.
  2. Get assigned a starting phase There are 6 phases covering the full Level 1 syllabus — from first noun endings to timed translation practice. The diagnostic sends you straight to the right phase for your current level.
  3. Work through each phase in order Each phase has a short explanation, links to the relevant activities, and an output task. You can’t skip ahead — each phase is unlocked by passing a short 5-question check.
  4. Unlock the next phase Score 4 or 5 out of 5 to move on. If you don’t pass, the site tells you exactly what went wrong and sends you back to review. No guessing your way through.
Pathway vs. free revision The pathway is for pupils who want structure — a clear sequence with a defined goal. Free navigation (using the activity hub directly) is for pupils who already know what they need to practise. Both routes use the same exercises; the pathway just tells you where to go first.

Start the Guided Pathway →

A revision plan that works

This is what a good week of Latin revision looks like with Caerus:

DayActivityTime
MondayVocabulary exercises (your level)15 min
TuesdaySpeed Recall — Unsupported10 min
WednesdayGrammar review + exercises20 min
ThursdaySpeed Recall — Supported (beat your score)10 min
FridayPast paper or practice paper (timed)45–75 min
The research behind it Short, regular sessions beat one long cram. Ebbinghaus showed in 1885 that memory fades fast — but regular retrieval practice slows that fade dramatically. Speed Recall is designed on that principle.

Ready to start?

Log in to Caerus Latin and begin revising. Full access — all levels, all features — for £49.99 per year.

Sign In / Get Access