What You Need to Know About The 16+

The 16+ exam is an admissions test taken by students aged 16 who are applying for entry into Year 12. This test is used to select the highest performing students who will be the best fit, and they are extremely competitive. Succeeding in this exam requires significant effort, as it is highly competitive and requires diligent preparation and professional help in order to succeed.


What To Know

The 16+ exam typically lasts between 45 minutes and an hour and is usually based on a GCSE or AS-Level syllabus. The exam is extremely competitive due to the limited number of spaces at each school, and each year it becomes more and more competitive. Each school sets its own exams, as there is no standardised 16+ test across the UK.

Your student should register for the exam by September of the year before entry, and more information for each specific school can be found online. The exam and interviews typically take place in autumn of the year prior to entry, either in October or November. By December, your child should receive his or her results.

What Schools Have 16+ Admissions?

It is important to know what schools you can apply for with the 16+ examination so that you are aware of all of your options. The following is a list of schools with 16+ admissions:

  • Aldenham School

  • Alleyn’s School

  • Aylesbury High

  • Brighton College

  • Channing

  • Charterhouse

  • Cheltenham Ladies’ College

  • City of London School

  • City of London School for Girls

  • Downe House

  • Emanuel School

  • Eton College

  • Forest School

  • Francis Holland School NW1

  • Francis Holland School SW1

  • Godolphin & Latymer

  • Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls

  • Hampton School

  • Harrow

  • Highgate School

  • Hill House School

  • Ibstock Place School

  • Immanuel College

  • James Allen’s Girls’ School

  • King’s College School Wimbledon

  • Latymer Upper School

  • Merchant Taylors’ School

  • North London Collegiate School

  • Putney High School

  • Queen’s Gate School

  • Radley College

  • Royal Grammar School, Guildford

  • Sevenoaks School

  • Shiplake College

  • South Hampstead High School

  • St. Mary’s School

  • St. Paul’s School

  • St. Paul’s Girls’ School

  • The Harrodian School

  • The Latymer School

  • Tonbridge School

  • University College School

  • Westminster School

  • Winchester College

  • Wycombe Abbey

Preparation

Due to the intensity and competitive nature of the exam, it will require extensive research and preparation in order to be successful. Prospective students will either take exams in their chosen sixth form subjects, or they will take exams in mathematics, English, and one to two additional chosen subjects. Most exams follow the GCSE syllabus and include challenging questions requiring GCSE-level knowledge.

Preparation for the exams is rigorous. The best course of action is to study old exam papers provided by your school. If your school does not provide previous exam papers, then there are plenty of resources available online. Along with past exams, your child should be studying their GCSE syllabus, as well as any and all essay writing and exam-taking tips.

Interviews

If your child is successful in his or her exam, they will be asked back for an interview. As with other school admissions interviews, this interview assesses the candidate’s ability to discuss their interests in depth. Other likely questions will revolve around why they wish to attend that school and what they hope to accomplish while there.

Tutoring

Most students preparing for the 16+ exam hire professional tutors to remain competitive. It is highly encouraged to start with a tutor in the early days of Year 10 to allow for about a year of preparation before the exam in Year 11. In order to stay in stride with the rest of the applicants, it is likely that your student will need to hire a professional. 

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