Register for the secondary selection test
Bexley Selection Test 2023
The London Borough of Bexley is finalising the details of this year’s selection test. Once finalised we will publish full details on our website in the meantime parents and carers will wish to be aware that following the end of our contract with CEM/University of Cambridge, our previous test provider, the procurement exercise to appoint a new test provider has now concluded with GL Assessment successfully appointed.
The Council are currently anticipating that the registration process for the September 2023 Bexley Selection Test will open by 15 May and will close on 30 June. It is anticipated that the test will be held between 9 and 14 September with the exact dates to be confirmed.
Bexley has four grammar schools: two mixed, one for boys and one for girls.
If you want to apply for your child to get a place at any of them, they have to have taken and passed the secondary selection test. You might remember tests like these being called the ’11 plus’ in the past.
Decide if your child should take the test
The secondary selection process is very competitive, and only about 30% of children get a high enough mark to be able to apply to grammar school. Last year, 6143 pupils sat the test, and 2037 were deemed selected. Getting into this group doesn’t guarantee a grammar school place, but it means grammar schools will look at your child’s application first.
It’s worth chatting with your child to find out how they feel about taking the test, and whether they know that passing is not the be-all and end-all. They’ll get a quality secondary school education in Bexley whatever happens.
Selection test in September 2023 for children transferring to secondary school in September 2024
Children who were born between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013 can sit the Bexley selection test in September 2023 when they are in Year 6 of primary school.
It is your responsibility to register your child online between Monday 15 May and Friday 30 June 2023 to sit the test when the registration process is open. This includes all children who attend primary schools in Bexley.
The test sessions are planned for week commencing Monday 11 September 2023. All children registered for the test will be invited to one of these sessions, whether in their own school or at a test centre. There will be two test papers containing a mixture of questions on verbal reasoning and comprehension, non-verbal reasoning and mathematical reasoning. Each paper will be divided into timed sections, and instructions will be given by an invigilator on the day of the test. Most questions are multiple-choice, and all answers are marked on a separate machine-readable answer sheet. There will be a short break between the two test papers.
Information for Parents leaflet
All parents who register their child for the test will be sent a link to familiarisation materials.
Apply for special arrangements
You can apply for special arrangements if your child has a disability or special needs.
- View the special arrangements policy for the application form and details about how to apply
Applications for special arrangements closed on Friday 16 June.
Register for the secondary selection test
We won’t automatically sign up your child to take the test, even if they go to a Bexley primary school.
The Bexley Selection Test registration period has now closed.
We are unable to accept any late applications.
Made a mistake on an application you already submitted?
If you have made a mistake or think you have made a mistake in your application, please do not submit another application, instead contact the School Admissions Team quoting your application reference number:
- Telephone: 020 8303 7777
- Email: selectiontests@bexley.gov.uk