A sixth form entrance exam at 16+ usually takes the form of written papers set by the school, sat before the candidate has finished their GCSEs, and the format differs from school to school. Some schools set papers in the A-level subjects applied for, whilst others set general papers in maths, English and reasoning. The school's own admissions page decides which applies, and the papers sit alongside a reference, a school report and, for most candidates, an interview.
Each school handles its own admissions, and the Boarding Schools' Association notes that there is no central clearing system, so a family applying to several schools may meet several formats. International applicants may also be asked to sit UKiset, an assessment developed with Cambridge University Press & Assessment that some schools use to support their decisions.
What does a sixth form entrance exam involve?
A sixth form entrance exam usually combines written papers chosen by the school with an interview, and the papers tend to follow one of three patterns: subject papers, general papers, or English, maths and reasoning tests. Schools describe their own pattern on their admissions pages, so two applications can look quite different.
Candidates whose first language is not English may also be asked to sit an English as an Additional Language paper at Shrewsbury School, and a second school's page lists an English grammar test for the same group. Both pages ask candidates who need extra time or a laptop to apply for it in advance, supported by an Educational Psychologist's report.
- Subject papers: at Shrewsbury School, candidates nominate three subjects to be examined in, ideally those they plan to take at A level, and the papers are based on GCSE specifications.
- General papers: Alleyn's School sets mathematics, reasoning and critical writing papers, which its page describes as not syllabus-dependent.
- English and maths papers: another school's page describes a non-calculator algebra paper in maths and an English paper with reading comprehension and personal writing.
- Reasoning tests: one school's page names online adaptive verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests from Atom Learning.
How does a 16+ entrance exam differ from the GCSE?
A 16+ entrance exam is set by the individual school as part of its own admissions process, so its format and content vary between schools. Alleyn's describes its papers as a screening process that is not syllabus-dependent, with a maths paper that should be accessible to anyone studying GCSE Mathematics, whilst Shrewsbury bases its subject papers on GCSE specifications.
Another school's page states that no specific subject knowledge is required for its written paper, which credits critical analysis, structured arguments and logical reasoning, and that revision is not necessary. GCSE content remains the common foundation, and the style of question is what changes.
Featured tutors
Ellis
Master TutorI'm Head of Computer Science at a secondary school in Cornwall, where I lead staff CPD, after seven years in technology consulting. I teach GCSE and A-Level Computer Science, and I'm known for explaining the algorithms pupils find hardest in plain terms, little and often.
Enquire about this tutor
Michael
Master TutorI taught Economics for nine years, latterly as Head of Economics at Winchester College, and I examine for AQA and Edexcel. I teach Economics and Business Studies to A-Level and prepare Oxbridge and UCAS applicants, working from Rosenshine's principles of direct instruction.
Enquire about this tutor
Michael
Master TutorI have a First in Economics from York and an MSc from UCL, and have tutored for seven years, including SEN students. I teach maths, economics, physics, chemistry and biology to GCSE, A-Level, IB and AP. I build strong foundations so advanced questions feel intuitive.
Enquire about this tutorHow do schools use the papers alongside predicted grades, references and interviews?
Schools weigh the entrance papers together with a reference, a recent school report, predicted GCSE grades and an interview, so the papers are one input among several. One school's page says its decisions take all assessment results, the interview and the references together, and another asks the current school for a reference that includes predicted GCSE grades, plus a copy of the latest report.
Shrewsbury requests a reference from the applicant's current Headteacher, and its interview with a senior member of staff draws on the Personal Statement in the application form. Its offers are conditional on GCSE results. At Alleyn's, candidates who reach a satisfactory standard in the papers are invited to a general interview and to two academic interviews in their chosen A-level subjects.
Where can families find a school's past papers or specimen guidance?
The school's own admissions page is the first place to look, since each school sets its own papers and publishes what it chooses. Shrewsbury publishes specimen papers across a range of subjects and asks candidates to read its Notes on Academic Assessment alongside them, which list the subjects approved for testing. Another school links an English sample paper and maths practice questions from its 16+ page.
Alleyn's does not publish past or sample papers, though its page suggests reviewing school work on trigonometry, algebra and numerical problems and gives guidance on structuring the critical writing essay. Where no papers are published, the admissions office can say what guidance exists. ISEB's pages describe Common Entrance at 11+ and 13+ and the Common Pre-Tests for Year 6 or 7, so they are not the source for 16+ papers.
How should a student prepare for sixth form entrance papers?
Preparation usually starts with secure GCSE content in the subjects applied for, followed by stretch material and timed practice. Where a school bases its papers on GCSE specifications, as Shrewsbury does, the foundation is a confident command of the course, including the topics studied earliest. Where a maths paper is non-calculator, as two schools' pages state, regular practice of algebra and numerical methods without a calculator is worth building in.
Stretch material means questions that go beyond the specification, such as extension problems in maths or wider reading in the subject. For general papers, practising a structured one-page argument on an unfamiliar question matches the critical writing task Alleyn's describes. Timed practice on published specimen papers helps a student become used to the format and style, and a tutor can help the student practise and prepare in all three areas.
When should families apply, and what about international applicants?
For a boarding sixth-form place, the Boarding Schools' Association advises applying in the autumn of the year before entry, and it suggests visiting at least three schools, ideally in the summer term before entry. Boarding places are limited, so it is worth asking each school whether a bed is available when the student would start.
Shrewsbury says international candidates may sit the written papers at their current school or at an approved venue, and UKiset is described on its own site as a way for international applicants to apply to schools in its network. Questions about visas go to gov.uk, where the Child Student visa page covers children aged 4 to 17. Scholarship papers are covered in the sixth-form scholarships guide.
Related guides
- 16+ entrance exam tutors
- Sixth form tutors
- A-level tutors
- Sixth-form scholarships and bursaries
- Boarding schools in the UK
Tutoring with Taylor Tuition
Families who come to us for this stage usually want a tutor who can diagnose where the marks are being lost and then build a steady routine around it, and that is how our programmes are set up. Our tutors are drawn from a pool in which more than half hold Qualified Teacher Status, around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and which includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools.
Sessions run online for families across the UK and internationally, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject. There is no registration fee. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check and families receive progress reports after sessions.
Read more about our 16+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
- What subjects are on a sixth form entrance exam?
- It depends on the school. Shrewsbury asks candidates to nominate three subjects to be examined in, ideally those they plan to take at A level, whilst Alleyn's sets general papers in mathematics, reasoning and critical writing. Another school's page describes maths and English papers plus online reasoning tests. The school's own admissions page lists the papers for its entry route.
- Do candidates need to revise for a 16+ entrance exam?
- One school's page says no specific subject knowledge is required and revision is not necessary for its written paper. Shrewsbury bases its subject papers on GCSE specifications, so secure GCSE content is the starting point there. Reading the school's page first shows which kind of paper applies, and familiarity with the format through specimen papers where published usually helps.
- Is a sixth form entrance exam the same as the GCSE?
- No. The school sets the entrance papers as part of its own admissions process, so format and content vary between schools. Some are based on GCSE specifications, and others, such as Alleyn's, describe their papers as not syllabus-dependent. The results are weighed alongside references, predicted grades and interviews, and offers often depend on final GCSE results as well.
- Where can candidates find past papers for 16+ entry?
- Start with the school's admissions page. Shrewsbury publishes specimen papers with its Notes on Academic Assessment, and another school links English and maths practice material. Alleyn's does not publish past or sample papers, though it does give topic guidance. If nothing is listed, the school's admissions office is the right contact, since there is no central clearing system.
- Do international students have to take UKiset for sixth form entry?
- Only where a school asks for it, so the school's admissions page decides. The UKiset site describes an assessment developed with Cambridge University Press & Assessment that covers academic potential and English language proficiency and compares candidates with British students of the same age. Some schools use it to support decisions about international applicants. Visa questions are answered on gov.uk.
Enquire about 16+ entrance preparation
Start your enquiryHow Taylor Tuition can help
Expert, one-to-one support from specialist tutors.
Editorial Notice
We use automated research tools to help collate and maintain information across our website. While each post is reviewed before publication, some details may be incomplete or inaccurate.
Taylor Tuition
Educational Consultancy
Contributing expert insights on education, exam preparation, and effective learning strategies to help students reach their full potential.