Entrance Examinations
Admission is by the School’s own Entrance Examinations, which are held for all 10+, 11+ and 13+ (entry in 2012 and 2013) candidates in mid January each year for entry in the following September. For 13+ candidates, wishing to enter the School in 2014 onwards, there will be "pre-test" entrance examinations in the January two years prior to entry the following September. Separate examinations are set for each of the Groups, at a standard appropriate to the age range.
The 2012 Entrance Examinations will be held on Monday 16th January for Groups 1 and 2 (10+ and 11+) and Wednesday 18th January for Group 3 (13+) entrance in 2012. The 13+ (Pre-test) Entrance Examinations will be held on Thursday, 19th January for 2014 entry.
Candidates applying for Sponsored Awards (11+) will sit a reasoning test in December 2011. Those candidates who are successful will then be invited to take the Group 2 Entrance Examinations in January 2012.
Candidates in Group 1 and Group 2 take papers in English and Mathematics, and a reasoning test. The Group 1 papers are of course somewhat easier. These examinations are designed to be suitable for able pupils in maintained primary schools and independent prep schools alike. Usually between half and two-thirds of the candidates in these Groups are pupils in maintained primary schools.
Candidates in Group 3 (for entry in 2012) take papers in English, Mathematics, French, and Science. There is an optional paper in Latin, which will be taken later by boys who have gained a place at the School and who wish to study Latin in the Third Form. These papers are roughly equivalent in standard to the papers in the Common Entrance Examination. If a candidate wishes to take a paper in a Modern Foreign Language other than French, his parents should contact the Admissions Secretary.
Candidates in Group 3 (Pre-test, Entry 2014) take papers in English and Mathematics and a reasoning test.
Copies of past examination papers set for each of the Groups may be downloaded from the Admissions home page or may be requested from the Admissions Secretary. Click here to try the interactive Group 2 Maths paper and have it marked automatically. Detailed information about the examinations is sent to the parents of all registered candidates in the December prior to the year of desired entry.