EXETER SCHOOL

Entry into Exeter School

Entry to the senior school usually takes place at 11+ or 13+ (Years 7 or 9), but applicants may also enter other year groups where places are available. All pupils are required to sit the Exeter School entrance assessments and in addition, pupils entering Years 9 and 10 will be required to have an interview with the Head or a member of the senior leadership team.

Exeter School is not just about excelling academically, the curriculum includes sport, music, art and drama, as well as clubs, activities and societies offered to all pupils to build friendships, enrich their lives and promote mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. Attending a taster day, assessment and interview is a great way for your child to begin to experience this, and to ask us all the questions that they might have about starting a new school.

Registrations for 2024 entry should be received by Friday 22 December 2023. Late registrations are possible where space is available in the year group. Entrance assessments for entry to the senior school in September 2024 will take place on Saturday 20 January 2024. Sample papers are available upon request The following papers will be set:

11+ Year 7, 12+ Year 8

ENGLISH (1 HOUR)

This paper will contain a reading exercise designed to assess candidates’ comprehension skills. Candidates will also be asked to write a whole text such as a descriptive piece or story.

MATHEMATICS (1 HOUR)

This paper will test competence in basic arithmetic and fractions (not including multiplication or division of decimals). Other questions will be designed to test the ability to solve problems using numerical skills for which no special techniques are required. Calculators are not allowed.

COGNITIVE ABILITIES TEST (2 HOURS)

There will also be an element of testing using a computer. The test asks questions based on verbal, non-verbal and quantitative reasoning, which includes multiple choice, drag and drop and complete the word answers. This innovative test provides a reliable, fair and comprehensive assessment for children, whatever their educational background. The test is deliberately designed to be taken without any prior practice.

Pupils who are assessed remotely will have an online interview with the Head or a member of the senior leadership team. Where assessment has been completed remotely, we reserve the right to withdraw the place if a pupil’s academic performance is less than expected upon entry to the school.

13+ Year 9

ENGLISH (1 HOUR 15 MINUTES)

This paper will contain a reading exercise designed to assess candidates’ comprehension skills and will also assess candidates’ writing skills by requiring them to construct a written piece of an argumentative, informative, or imaginative nature.

MATHEMATICS (1 HOUR 15 MINUTES)

Questions are similar in style and content to those at 11+ but include some additional ageappropriate material including basic algebra, angle facts, harder fraction operations and measurement of area and volume, amongst others. Calculators are not allowed.

SCIENCE (1 HOUR)

Short questions based on the content expected to have been covered by the time of the 13+ examinations in biology, chemistry, and physics These are in the style of typical Key Stage 3 assessments. Calculators are allowed.

COGNITIVE ABILITIES TEST (2 HOURS)

There will also be an element of testing using a computer. The test asks questions based on verbal, non-verbal, spatial, and quantitative reasoning, which includes multiple choice, drag and drop and complete the word answers. This innovative test provides a reliable, fair and comprehensive assessment for children whatever their educational background. The test is deliberately designed to be taken without any prior practice.

There will also be a fifteen-minute interview with the Head or member of the senior leadership team.

Where assessment has been completed remotely, we reserve the right to withdraw the place if a pupil’s academic performance is less than expected upon entry to the school.

14+ Year 10

ENGLISH (1 HOUR 30 MINUTES)

This paper will contain a reading exercise designed to assess candidates’ comprehension skills and will also assess candidates’ writing skills by requiring them to construct a written piece of an argumentative, informative, or imaginative nature.

MATHEMATICS (1 HOUR 15 MINUTES)

Questions are similar in style and content to those at 11+ but include some additional ageappropriate material including basic algebra, angle facts, harder fraction operations and measurement of area and volume, amongst others. Calculators are not allowed.

SCIENCE (1 HOUR)

Short questions based on the content expected to have been covered by the time of the 14+ examinations in biology, chemistry, and physics. These are in the style of typical Key Stage 3 assessments. Calculators are allowed.

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE (30 MINUTES )

This will consist of a short, written test which candidates will complete in a foreign language which they intend to take at GCSE. A choice of papers in French, German or Spanish are offered.

COGNITIVE ABILITIES TEST (2 HOURS)

There will also be an element of testing using a computer. The test asks questions based on verbal, non-verbal, spatial, and quantitative reasoning, which includes multiple choice, drag and drop and complete the word answers. This innovative test provides a reliable, fair and comprehensive assessment for children whatever their educational background. The test is deliberately designed to be taken without any prior practice.

There will also be a fifteen minute-interview with the Head or a member of the senior leadership team.

Where assessment has been completed remotely, we reserve the right to withdraw the place if a pupil’s academic performance is less than expected upon entry to the school.