Independent school 11+ entrance exams explained

Independent (private) schools set their own entrance exams. The process is different from grammar schools, and the dates are later.

How it usually works

• Register directly with each school in the autumn of Year 6. Deadlines vary, from early October to mid-November.
• Exams run from November to early January of Year 6.
• Interviews are common, and some schools add group activities.
• Offers usually arrive in February.

What is in the exams?

Most schools set written English (comprehension and creative writing) and Maths papers. Many add a reasoning test, often online.

Some schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Test: four adaptive online tests in English, Maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, about 2 hours 15 minutes in total. "Adaptive" means the questions get harder or easier depending on your child's answers. Not every school uses it, so check each school.

Local examples for September 2027 entry

• Whitgift (Croydon): apply by 6 November 2026; exam on 5 January 2027 (English, Maths and Thinking Skills); interviews in January.
• Eltham College: register by 9 November 2026; exams on 5 or 6 January 2027 (written Maths and English plus an online reasoning test); every candidate is interviewed.
• Alleyn's (Dulwich): register by 13 November 2026; exam on 8 January 2027; group activities and interviews on 23 January.
• Sutton High School (girls): apply by 1 October 2026; assessments in November and December; offers by 22 December.
• Trinity (Croydon): apply by 16 October 2026; online assessment, written papers and an interview. Trinity becomes co-educational from September 2027.

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships reward talent (academic, music, sport, art) and are usually not means-tested. Bursaries are means-tested help with fees and can cover up to the full fees at some schools. A child can have both.

How to prepare

• Creative writing matters much more than in most grammar school tests. Practise a timed story every week.
• Maths papers are usually written, so children must show working.
• Practise talking about books, hobbies and interests for the interview.

Sources: each school's 11+ admissions page; ISEB; Independent Schools Council.