16+ exams are set by independent schools and selective state schools to allow them to select pupils for intake into Year 12 (sixth form), when the students are 16 or 17 years old. These are considered alongside English language ability (for overseas students), predicted GCSE grades, a headteacher’s reference and sometimes a personal statement from the prospective pupil.
Most independent schools (and some selective state schools) use 16+ exams to help them select students (dependent on places available). These exams are typically around 45 minutes to an hour in length, with prospective pupils sitting papers in all the A-levels they are applying to take. Some schools will ask pupils to sit general, critical thinking or reasoning papers. As with 13+ there is no standardised process for 16+. These exams are written in-house by schools, and are normally based on a GCSE syllabus. Overseas students applying at 16+ often have to sit Ukiset, IELTS or show other evidence of English language proficiency. An experienced tutor can help guide you through the specific requirements for your 16+ application.
Schools don’t normally admit large numbers of new students into Sixth Form. (The obvious exceptions are schools which are single-sex except for their Sixth Form). This means that there are limited numbers of places available at most independent schools at 16+, and these are sometimes only to cover natural churn of existing pupils. With more applicants than the small number of places available, the pass mark will vary from year to year with these schools. Schools will occasionally publish specimen papers, but this is the exception and not the norm. However, an experienced tutor will be able to provide papers for you.
16+ entrance exams normally take place in Autumn of the school year before entry, in October or November. Obviously schools aren’t expecting mastery of a subject in Year 11, but they will be looking for students with high potential to achieve top grades at A-Level and go on to a leading University.
You can navigate our Schools Guide to view the schools which offer entrance at 16+. We have provided exam format and likely exam content where this information has been shared.
If you would like your child to get extra help, you should think about starting them with a tutor early in Year 10, allowing for a year before the examination in Year 11. All of our Owl tutors are qualified teachers, with years of classroom experience in the subjects they tutor.
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