A Guide to the New 11 Plus London Consortium Exams

The Consortium schools comprise of the following girls’ schools:

Channing, Francis Holland Sloane Square, Francis Holland Regents Park, Godolphin and Latymer, More House School, Northwood College for Girls, Notting Hill and Ealing High School, Queen’s College, Queen’s Gate, South Hampstead High School, St Augustine’s Priory, St Helen’s School, St James Senior Girls’ School and St Margaret’s School.

The New Consortium Exams Explained

Girls sit one exam (usually at their own primary or prep school) and the results are shared with the schools which she has applied for. In addition to the exam, individual schools decide on their own interview policy; for example, Channing School interviews all girls who have applied for a place whereas SHHS only interviews girls who have done well enough in the examination. Schools take into account three things when considering whether or not to offer a place: examination results, interview performance and reference from current school.

This year, the closing date for registrations is Friday 11th November 2022 and the exams will take place during early December. Offer date is Friday 10th February. The deadline to accept is Monday 6th March 2023 BUT do we aware that some schools close their lists BEFORE this date if they have filled all the places quickly! Don’t delay in accepting an offer from your first choice school, if your daughter is lucky enough to be offered a place there.

How has the exam format changed for 2023 entry?

During the uncertainty of the pandemic, Consortium schools chose to use the computerised ISEB Common Pre-Test in 2021.

This year, however, a new (online) assessment process has been introduced. The aim is to go beyond testing only cognitive ability and performance and several new components have been introduced, which aim to assess the true potential of a child in creative thinking and problem-solving, alongside Maths, English and reasoning skills.

They are designed to be a clearer reflection of a child’s underlying ability, strengths and potential and it is hoped by schools that they will be harder to prepare and be coached for. Thus it is also hoped that they will also reduce pressure on children facing 11+ exams.

What does the exam involve?

The exam will be in 2 parts, with a break in-between.

Part 1:

Mathematics – 20 minutes

Non-Verbal Reasoning – 10 minutes

English Comprehension and Verbal Reasoning – 30 minutes

Part 2:

Problem solving – 15 minutes

Creative and Analytical Section – 25 minutes

What does this mean for tutors working with girls who are sitting the new Consortium exams?

Lots of the Maths, English and Reasoning material which students will face in the new Consortium exams will be relevant to other 11+ entrance exams. In terms of Part 2 of the process, there are many useful activities which will help students prepare for this section, as well as interviews. A range of open questions and activities on a variety of different texts and stimuli will help to develop confidence in a student’s own responses and ideas, without veering too far from the spirit of the new process.