This article examines how novice principals reflect on the adequacy or otherwise of their preparation. It looks at data drawn from the International Study of Principal Preparation (ISPP), and in particular a questionnaire of principals up to three years in post, in Scotland. The principals find much about their preparation has helped them gain confidence as a novice principal, but were unprepared for the isolation of being a principal. The article also draws on previous research to ask whether aspects of preparation can never really prepare principals for the reality of school life.