16+ Entrance Exam Tutors for Sixth-Form Entry

16+ entrance exam tutors for sixth form entry prepare students for papers that differ sharply by school, so the work starts from each school's own published requirements. Westminster sets a written examination in each of four chosen A Level subjects, St Paul's sets subject papers plus, for most candidates, a numerical problem solving paper, and Winchester combines General Ability Testing with an assessment visit. Interviews and references follow at all three.

Sixth form entry sits outside ISEB assessments, since Common Entrance is taken at 11+ and 13+ and Common Pre Tests are taken in Year 6 or 7. That leaves each school's own process as the reference point, usually running from registration through papers and interviews to a conditional offer that depends on GCSE or IGCSE results, so a tutor can build a plan around the target schools list.

How do 16+ entrance exams for sixth form entry differ between schools?

Each school sets its own papers, so the format a student faces depends on the target list. Westminster's 16+ entry page describes one written examination in each of four chosen A Level subjects, whereas St Paul's selection procedure sets written exams in chosen subjects and, for most candidates, a numerical problem solving paper.

Winchester's sixth form page lists General Ability Testing, then an assessment visit with an extended piece of writing and a humanities and/or STEM paper, depending on three A Level preferences. Laid side by side, these formats show a tutor where a student's practice time is best spent, and which skills carry across every school on the list.

Westminster 16+ entry: written papers, interviews and offers

Westminster bases 16+ selection entirely on academic criteria, whether or not the candidate wishes to board. Candidates choose four A Level subjects at registration and sit one written paper in each, with the requirements for every paper set out on the relevant department page, and the papers allow for candidates who have covered only one year of their GCSE or IGCSE syllabus.

Written candidates who score highly are invited to a subject interview in each chosen subject, a general interview and an Interview Day Assessment, and the Head of the current school is asked for a reference. Offers follow the interview stage and are conditional on GCSE or IGCSE results, including strong grades in the A Level subjects, whilst some candidates are waitlisted.

St Paul's 16+ entry: subject papers and the numerical paper

St Paul's 16+ papers are based mainly on current GCSE syllabuses and test analysis and problem solving. Economics, Computing and Politics papers ask candidates to analyse and appraise supplied material, with no prior study of the subject required, whilst the French paper has grammar, writing and reading sections and Mathematics is a single paper covering algebra, geometry, numerical and graphical work.

Art and the Extended Project carry no written exam at 16+. Subject extras include an Art portfolio, Engineering design work, a short Music performance and a prepared Drama monologue, and sample papers are published for each subject on the selection procedure page, giving a tutor concrete material for timed practice.

Winchester 16+ entry: General Ability Testing and the assessment visit

Winchester's admissions pages describe a 16+ route open to boys and girls, for day and boarding places. Applicants register online and supply references, school reports, a personal statement and a CV, and they take General Ability Testing as part of the process.

Shortlisted candidates meet a pastoral care colleague and an academic member of staff, and on the assessment visit complete an extended piece of writing and a humanities and/or STEM paper. Places are conditional on GCSE results, with higher grades expected in the proposed A Level subjects and in extension subjects such as Further Maths, so practice can be planned around both the papers and the results.

When should preparation for 16+ entry begin?

St Paul's runs a two stage timeline, with registration in Year 10 and selection in the Autumn Term of Year 11, as its entry to 16 page sets out. Working backwards from the first assessment on each school's timetable shows how long a course can run, and Westminster's allowance for candidates who have covered only one year of GCSE content means teaching can overlap with preparation.

A typical course begins with reviewing the student's own work and any sample paper, moves to teaching the gaps found, adds targeted practice on each question style, and finishes with timed sections and full papers, each followed by feedback. Students with secure subject knowledge may spend longer on written answers and timing, whilst those with gaps need teaching first.

Which skills do 16+ entrance papers test, and how are they practised?

Analysis of supplied material, numerical problem solving and structured writing recur across the papers these schools describe. In individual sessions, a tutor can diagnose from the student's own attempts whether an error comes from a knowledge gap, a misread instruction or a timing problem, and then set practice on that specific skill.

For analysis papers, practice uses unseen passages and data, with answers built from the evidence. Numerical work revisits GCSE methods in algebra, geometry and graphs before moving to unfamiliar problems. Feedback on timed answers shows where marks are being lost, and the next session targets those habits. Language papers add grammar and reading practice, whilst writing tasks add planning and structure.

How is a 16+ sixth form interview prepared for?

Interviews at the three schools differ in format. Westminster holds a subject interview in each chosen subject plus a general interview, St Paul's invites strong candidates to meet subject Heads of Department or senior staff after they write about their interests, aspirations and motivation, and Winchester pairs a pastoral care colleague with an academic one.

Practice usually involves talking through a chosen subject aloud, defending a view and answering follow up questions. The guide to sixth form interviews at independent schools sets out what independent schools ask and who conducts the interview. Entrance papers sit alongside a reference and predicted grades, and the guide to predicted GCSE grades and sixth form entry explains why an offer is often conditional on final results.

What should families check about 16+ entry before applying?

Each school sets its own route into Year 12, so the first step is to read the sixth form admissions page of every school on the list, such as Abingdon's entry at 16 page or Alleyn's sixth form admissions page. Points to confirm include the subjects tested, whether sample papers exist, who writes the reference and what grades an offer will require.

ISEB's Common Entrance papers are set for 11+ and 13+ candidates, so sixth form applicants rely on each school's own assessments. Students moving from a state school can read the guide on applying from a state school, and target schools, entry year and intended A Level subjects can be sent through the tutor enquiry form once the list is settled.

Arranging 16+ entrance exam tuition for sixth form entry

Tuition starts at £50 per 50-minute session and rises with tutor level and subject, with current fee details available online. Students learn online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, with in person meetings available in central London, and tutors placed with young people hold enhanced DBS checks, most also keeping clearance current via the DBS Update Service.

The process opens with an introductory session alongside the matched tutor, and arranging a re-match involves no further charge when the pairing misses. Parents can read progress reports between lessons and put questions to a dedicated point of contact. Families ready to begin can submit the enquiry form, and Taylor Tuition follows up with tutor recommendations.

Related preparation guides

Read how 16+ entry to independent sixth forms works, from registration to offer.

See what to expect from sixth-form entrance exams and subject tests.

For international and boarding applicants, compare boarding entry at 13+ and 16+ and the English language requirements for international boarding students.

Once a place is secured, sixth form tutoring supports A-level study. International applicants may also need UKiset tutors.

To discuss a match, find a 16+ tutor and include the school list and intended A-level subjects in your enquiry.