What You Need to Know About The 16+

The 16+ exam is an admissions exam taken by students in Year 12 when they are 16 years old. This test is used to select the highest performing students that will make the best fit for their school, and they are extremely competitive. It takes a lot to be a success in this exam, as it is highly competitive and requires diligent preparation and professional help in order to succeed.


What To Know

The 16+ exam usually lasts about 45 minutes to an hour and is typically 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 will write their own exams, as there is not a uniform exam nationwide.

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 the fall of the year prior to entry, either in October or November. By December, your child should receive their 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 lots of research and preparation in order to be successful. Prospective students either will 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 are based on the GCSE syllabus and will contain several challenging questions to which the students must apply their GCSE 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 their exam, they will be asked back for an interview. Similar to other school admissions interviews, the interview will be used to evaluate their ability to speak in-depth about their interests, hobbies, and areas of study. Other likely questions will revolve around why they wish to attend that school and what they hope to accomplish while there.

Tutoring

Most students who take the 16+ exam hire professional help to ensure that they are competing at the same level as the rest. 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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