Bexley 11+: the Bexley Selection Test

Who runs it. London Borough of Bexley (School Admissions Team), with papers from Quest AssessmentsSource for Bexley: Test run byBexley: Test run byCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: Bexley Selection Test papers are provided by Quest Assessments ... all enquiries regarding the test must be directed to the School Admissions Team on selectiontests@bexley.gov.ukView the official source. One sitting covers all the grammar schools, so a child sits the test once, whichever of them you are interested in.

• Registering: Online registration with the London Borough of Bexley (bexley.gov.uk), including for children at Bexley primary schools; confirmation email with reference starting SASource for Bexley 2027 entry: Registration routeBexley 2027 entry: Registration routeCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: It is your responsibility to register your child online for the Bexley selection test, including if they attend a primary school in Bexley. [...] upon submission, you will receive a confirmation email with an application reference number starting with SAView the official source. No child is entered automatically.
• The papers: Test booklet 1 of 2 (mixed sections) (verbal reasoning, comprehension, maths and non-verbal reasoning) (50 minutes); Test booklet 2 of 2 (mixed sections) (verbal reasoning, comprehension, maths and non-verbal reasoning) (50 minutes)Source for Bexley 2027 entry: PapersBexley 2027 entry: PapersCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: the Bexley Selection Test consists of two separate booklets ... both tests are timed and consist of multiple-choice questions ... each paper lasts approximately 50 minutes, plus additional time for instructionsView the official source.
• Question style: both papers are timed and every question is multiple-choiceSource for Bexley 2027 entry: FormatBexley 2027 entry: FormatCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: both tests are timed and consist of multiple-choice questionsView the official source.
• What counts most: the total is weighted verbal 50%, maths 25%, non verbal 25%Source for Bexley 2027 entry: WeightingBexley 2027 entry: WeightingCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: your child meeting the selective standard is based on the total weighted age-standardised score achieved in the test ... 50% from the verbal ability score ... 25% from the numerical ability score ... 25% from the non-verbal ability scoreView the official source, so verbal reasoning carries as much weight as maths and non-verbal reasoning together.
• Access arrangements: Parents submit the Special Arrangements application form plus professional evidence to the child’s school; the school submits it with a headteacher supplementary form by 30 April 2026. Possible adjustments include modified materials, rest breaks, 25% extra time; no laptops; no appeal.Source for Bexley: Special arrangementsBexley: Special arrangementsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: Applications from parents/carers must be submitted to schools by the final day of the spring term 2026 (March) at the latest. Schools have until 30 April to submit supplementary forms.View the official source

The test provider, and why you may see another name. The council says Quest AssessmentsSource for Bexley selection test: Provider by entry year (2027)Bexley selection test: Provider by entry year (2027)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: Quest Assessments is the Bexley Selection Test provider.View the official source supplies the Bexley Selection Test. Some of the schools' own documents still carry older wording that names a different provider; for 2027 entry, the council's information is the one to follow. If you are choosing practice material, check that it is written for the current Bexley test. Our Bexley test changes page explains the switch, and our Quest 11+ guide describes the provider's tests more generally. For the test in September 2027 (2028 entry), the council has not yet confirmed its arrangements.

Each child's marks are age-standardised, so the youngest children in the year are not at a disadvantage, and then combined into one weighted total. That total is compared with the selective score.

The selective score is not fixed in advance. Children must reach the selective score, set after testing by the Council with the four grammar schools; about 30% of applicants are deemed selective. Selective children are then ranked by each school’s oversubscription criteria (mainly distance); the top 180 scorers are placed in one of the highest priority groups at their preferred grammar school.Source for Bexley 2027 entry: Qualifying ruleBexley 2027 entry: Qualifying ruleCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: the Council, in conjunction with the four Grammar Schools, determines the selective score ... more children are deemed selective than the number of available places, as some will be offered places at other higher preference schoolsView the official source The council deliberately deems more children selective than there are places, because some of them will take up places at other schools they ranked higher.

How many children sit the test and are deemed selective (all candidates, wherever they live):

The 2027-entry figures are not out yet.

Top scorers. As the rule above says, the very highest scorers across the borough get high priority at the Bexley grammar school they prefer. For everyone else who is selective, each school's own rules decide, and at most schools that means distance.

Just below the line. If grammar places remain unfilled after the initial allocation, children one mark below the selective score are offered next (by each school’s criteria), then two marks below, and so on.Source for Bexley: Below selective reserveBexley: Below selective reserveCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: If grammar school places remain unfilled after the initial allocation, additional places will be allocated in the following order: ... children who scored one mark below the selective score, ranked according to the school’s oversubscription criteria ... children who scored two marks below, ranked in the same wayView the official source Our Bexley pass marks page and results guide go into more detail.

The pupil premium is extra funding schools receive for children from lower-income families, usually because they get, or recently got, free school meals. Bexley's grammar schools each give these children some priority, but in different ways:

• Beths: Criterion 5 (after LAC, top 180, siblings, staff children); ranked by distance; supplementary form plus a letter from the LA or primary school confirming FSM. If PP places are not used by Bexley-selective boys, Kent-selective (criterion 8) PP/FSM applicants can be considered.Source for Beths Grammar School: Pp priority (2027)Beths Grammar School: Pp priority (2027)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Beths Grammar School.The source says: 5. Up to 12 places for boys who are eligible for Pupil Premium and/or Free School Meals and deemed selective at the time of application in rank order of distance from the school.View the official source
• Bexley Grammar School: Criterion 2 (straight after LAC/PLAC); ranked by distance; supplementary form plus documentary evidence (LA or primary school letter) by 31 October 2026; the CAF must also name BGS.Source for Bexley Grammar School: Pp priority (2027)Bexley Grammar School: Pp priority (2027)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bexley Grammar School.The source says: Up to 12 places are reserved for children who are eligible for receipt of Pupil Premium Grant funding at the time of application, and who are deemed selective, in rank order of distance from the school.View the official source
• Townley: Criterion 2: 20 places for PP girls who achieve the qualifying selective score, ranked by standardised score then distance. Criterion 3: if fewer than 20 filled, PP girls up to 2% below the standardised selective score.Source for Townley Grammar School: Pp priority (2027)Townley Grammar School: Pp priority (2027)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Townley Grammar School.The source says: 2 20 places are available for children attracting Pupil Premium who achieve the qualifying selective score, ranked in descending standardised score order and then by distance. Townley Grammar School must be listed as a preference on the CAF (Common Application Form) and the required SIF (Supplementary Information Form) submitted. 3 If fewer than 20 places are filled in category 2, Further places will be offered to children attracting pupil premium ranked in descending standardised score order and then by distance up to a maximum of 2% below the standardised selective score.View the official source
• Chislehurst and Sidcup: Only for applicants eligible for Free School Meals and/or attracting Pupil Premium; online form linked as "Supplementary Form for Year 7 September 2027 entry". Not required otherwise.Source for Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School: Supplementary form (2027)Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School: Supplementary form (2027)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School.The source says: Supplementary form for Year 7 Application 2026 IMPORTANT NOTICE : Please only complete the supplementary form if you are applying for a place in Year 7 for September 2026 entry and ONLY IF your child is eligible for Free School Meals and/or attracts Pupil Premium ... Supplementary Form for Year 7 September 2027 entryView the official source We have not yet been able to check where these children sit in its priority order.

Whichever school you choose, two things matter: name the school on your home council's application, and send the school's own form with evidence of eligibility by the date the school gives. The council does not pass this information on for you. Several of the schools also offer free online 11+ familiarisation to children eligible for the pupil premium; ask the school or your child's primary school.

This section is general information, not legal advice. Each step has strict deadlines, so check the council's and the school's own guidance.

Questioning a score. Headteacher Review: the child’s primary headteacher may request a review of the test score; the process runs after results are published and after the 31 October 2026 secondary application deadline. The Independent Review Panel changes selective decisions only in exceptional circumstances; its decision is final with no further appeal. Parents should still list a grammar school preference.Source for Bexley 2027 entry: Review processBexley 2027 entry: Review processCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: Headteachers will have the opportunity to request a review of a child’s test score through the Headteacher Review process. This process will take place after results are published and after the secondary school application deadline ... The Independent Review Panel will only change selective decisions in exceptional circumstances. Their decision is final, and there is no appeal process beyond this stage.View the official source Only the primary headteacher can start this, so talk to them soon after results if you think the score does not reflect your child.

Admission appeals. After National Offer Day (1 March 2027Source for Bexley 2027 entry: National Offer DayBexley 2027 entry: National Offer DayCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: if you applied online, you will receive an email with the school offered in the evening of Monday 1 March 2027View the official source), you can appeal if a school refuses a place. For all four grammar schools, you start the appeal through the school, not the council, and an independent panel hears it. The council's timetable gives 13 April 2027, 4pmSource for Bexley 2027 entry: Appeal deadlineBexley 2027 entry: Appeal deadlineCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: | 4pm on 13 April 2027: | Deadline for lodging Appeals against a decision not to offer a place at your preferred school. |View the official source as the deadline for lodging appeals. However, Beths and Bexley Grammar School print different dates on their own pages, and Chislehurst and Sidcup and Townley both set 27 March 2026Source for Townley Grammar School: Appeal deadline2026 entryTownley Grammar School: Appeal deadline2026 entryCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Townley Grammar School.The source says: The deadline for lodging appeals (only Year 7 Students) against a decision not to offer a place at Townley Grammar School is Fridy 27th March 2026.View the official source for 2026 entry. Work to the date in your refusal letter, and if two dates seem to apply, go by the earlier one.

Later chances. A child not deemed selective in Year 6 can try again through in-year testing once at secondary school. The grammar schools take turns to host these tests, and you apply through the council's in-year form; the school pages give the details.

Appeals take time and can be stressful. Most appeals for full grammar schools do not succeed, so keep the place you are offered while you wait. Our Bexley appeals guide goes into more detail.