BCP Dorset grammar schools move to Quest for 2028 entry

Who is affected, and when?

The change covers The Dorset Consortium of Grammar SchoolsSource for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP): Consortium nameBournemouth and Poole (BCP): Consortium nameCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says: The Dorset Consortium of Grammar Schools (Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar School and Poole Grammar School) was formed a number of years ago to enable children whose parents wish them to be considered for admission to more than one of the schools to be considered without having to sit more than one set of entrance tests.View the official source: Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar School and Poole Grammar SchoolSource for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP): Member schoolsBournemouth and Poole (BCP): Member schoolsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says: The Dorset Consortium of Grammar Schools (Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar School and Poole Grammar School)View the official source. The schools say the consortium has decided to change the entrance test provider to Quest Assessments after September 2027Source for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP): Provider change statementBournemouth and Poole (BCP): Provider change statementCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says: The admissions policy for joining the school in Year 7 in 2028 has yet to be determined by the Board of Trustees. However, the consortium has decided to change the entrance test provider to Quest Assessments after September 2027.View the official source. In short: The consortium schools administer the shared tests at their own sites (papers by GL Assessment for 2027 entry; Quest Assessments from the September 2027 test)Source for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP): Test administratorBournemouth and Poole (BCP): Test administratorCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School for Girls.The source says: girls are eligible to be considered for admission to Bournemouth School for Girls in Year 7 if they meet the required standard in the tests used and administered by the local selective schools.View the official source.

The test stays in Year 6Source for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2028 entry: Year group at testBournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2028 entry: Year group at testCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School for Girls.The source says: Testing arrangements September 2027 (Current Year 4 Students)View the official source, and children still sit it at One of the four Dorset grammar schoolsSource for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2028 entry: Test venueBournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2028 entry: Test venueCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Your child will sit the Dorset 11+ Assessment at one of the four Dorset grammar schools.View the official source. Unlike some other areas that are changing provider, the timing does not move.

What will my Year 5 child sit?

There are 3Source for Dorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Paper countDorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Paper countCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Three papers, sat in the same session with a short supervised break. Each paper lasts 40 minutes.View the official source Quest papers: Mathematics (40 minutes); English (comprehension, vocabulary and punctuation; 40 minutes); Verbal Reasoning (40 minutes)Source for Bournemouth School entrance test: PapersBournemouth School entrance test: PapersCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says: but excluding work covered in Year 6. Time allowed: 40 minutes. English The English paper tests comprehension, vocabulary and punctuation. Time allowed: 40 minutes.View the official source. Under GL, the papers were Mathematics (50 minutes); English (comprehension, vocabulary and punctuation; 45 minutes); Verbal Reasoning (50 minutes)Source for Dorset Consortium 11+ (GL Assessment): PapersDorset Consortium 11+ (GL Assessment): PapersCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School for Girls.The source says: Mathematics (GL Assessment) – Time Allowed: 50 minutes ... English (GL Assessment) – Time Allowed: 45 minutes ... Verbal Reasoning (GL Assessment) – Time Allowed: 50 minutesView the official source.

Three differences matter most for a child preparing now:

1. Shorter papers of equal length. Each Quest paper is the same length, and each is shorter than the GL maths and verbal reasoning papers. The consortium adds: Each paper 40 minutes plus time for instructions; a reading booklet may be provided; total time in the centre typically two to three hoursSource for Dorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Reading timeDorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Reading timeCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Each paper lasts 40 minutes, plus time for instructions. [...] and may also receive a reading booklet. [...] The total time in the test centre, including settling in, instructions, papers, and the break, is typically around two to three hours.View the official source.
2. A clear content limit. The schools say: No content beyond the Year 5 National Curriculum; maths excludes work covered in Year 6Source for Dorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Curriculum basisDorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Curriculum basisCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says: The Mathematics paper is based on work which candidates would normally cover during Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum, but excluding work covered in Year 6. ... No content beyond the Year 5 National Curriculum will be tested.View the official source. Your child does not need to have met Year 6 topics before the test, even though it is sat in September of Year 6.
3. A separate answer sheet for each subject. Question booklet plus a separate OMR answer sheet for each subject; answers marked with a horizontal line through a boxSource for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP): Format spec2028 answer sheetsBournemouth and Poole (BCP): Format spec2028 answer sheetsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Your child will receive a question booklet and a separate answer sheet for each subject, and may also receive a reading booklet. ... The papers use an OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) answer sheet. Rather than writing out answers, your child draws a clear horizontal line through a box next to their chosen answer.View the official source.

Some things do not change: no writing task (none (all questions multiple choice)Source for Dorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Writing taskDorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Writing taskCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: All questions are multiple choiceView the official source), and scores are still Scores adjusted ('standardised') according to ageSource for Dorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): StandardisationDorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): StandardisationCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Poole Grammar School.The source says: The scores for the entrance tests are adjusted (or ‘standardised’) according to age.View the official source. Our guide to GL vs Quest puts the two tests side by side in more detail.

Can we still use GL practice material?

Partly. The subjects are the same, so reading, vocabulary, arithmetic and verbal reasoning practice all still help. But Quest says each school’s Quest test is uniqueSource for Quest: Bespoke per schoolQuest: Bespoke per schoolCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Your child’s assessment is unique to the school they’re applying to,View the official source, so GL papers, or Quest papers from another area, will not match the Dorset format exactly.

The official starting point for 2028 entry is: Free familiarisation booklets (maths, English, VR) with sample questions and a practice OMR sheet, plus guides for children and parents, reading lists and a vocabulary list on Quest's Dorset pageSource for Dorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Familiarisation materialsDorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Familiarisation materialsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: These booklets provide sample questions so your child can become familiar with the question format and filling in an OMR answer sheet.View the official source.

A sensible approach for a Year 5 child:

• Keep the foundations. Regular reading, word games and secure Year 5 maths transfer directly.
• Watch the timing, gently. With shorter papers, a child used to longer GL papers may need a couple of timed sections at the new length nearer the test.
• Practise the answer sheet. Use the practice sheet in the Quest booklets, because the marking style (a line through a box) may be new.
• Don't push into Year 6 maths. The schools have said the maths stops at Year 5 work, so time is better spent making Year 5 topics secure.

Quest's own advice for Dorset families is that the best preparation is a strong grounding in school learning, combined with wide reading and the ability to apply knowledge to new contextsSource for Quest: advice on preparing for the Dorset testQuest: advice on preparing for the Dorset testCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: The best preparation is a strong grounding in school learning, combined with wide reading and the ability to apply knowledge to new contexts.View the official source.

Is there free help for pupil premium children?

Yes: Free online KS2 learning and 11+ familiarisation for all pupil-premium-eligible children in Years 3-6, provided by the consortium through a partner platformSource for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP): Support programmeBournemouth and Poole (BCP): Support programmeCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says: The Dorset Consortium provides all Pupil Premium-eligible children in Years 3 - 6 with free access to Atom Learning’s KS2 learning resources for the Quest entrance tests and 11+ assessment familiarisation.View the official source. Because it is open to younger year groups as well, a child can start well before the test. Ask your primary school or the grammar school you plan to register with.

Which dates should Year 5 families watch?

The registration closing date comes from Poole Grammar School's draft policy for 2028 entry, so treat it as a proposal until all four schools confirm it. On the exact test date: Specific test date to be published on the schools' admissions pagesSource for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2028 entry: Dates published byBournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2028 entry: Dates published byCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Poole Grammar School.The source says: The specific date of the entrance tests will be published on the admissions pages of the Poole Grammar School website (www.poolegrammar.com).View the official source.

What if my child misses the test or registers late?

The arrangements for 2028 entry are not fully published yet. What we know so far:

• One sitting only: Tests may be taken only onceSource for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP): One sitting ruleBournemouth and Poole (BCP): One sitting ruleCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says: The tests may only be taken once by any student at any one consortium school.View the official source.
• Boys who cannot sit on the main date: Catch-up test in early October for boys unable to sit on the main date (PGS proposed policy)Source for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2028 entry: Alternative test ruleBournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2028 entry: Alternative test ruleCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Poole Grammar School.The source says: Boys who are unable to take the tests on the main testing date, due to illness or other significant acceptable reasons, will be offered the opportunity to take the tests on the catch up test date in early October.View the official source. This is a proposal, not yet confirmed.
• Under the 2027 arrangements, Children unable to sit through illness, bereavement or circumstances beyond parents' control are tested as soon as practicable (evidence required) and considered alongside the main cohort; late registrants/applicants sit the February test and are considered after the first roundSource for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2027 entry: Alternative test ruleBournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2027 entry: Alternative test ruleCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says: Where a child is unable to sit the entrance tests through illness, bereavement or other circumstance beyond the control of the parent(s), the consortium will make arrangements for testing to take place as soon as practicable. Evidence will be required in these circumstances. Children sitting these tests will be considered alongside those who sat the tests on the original date.View the official source. The late test for 2027 entry is on Tuesday 23 February 2027 (late test for late registrations or applications)Source for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2027 entry: OtherBournemouth and Poole (BCP) 2027 entry: OtherCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says: Please be advised that no access arrangements can be offered to any child for the late entrance test on Tuesday, 23 February 2027 unless this form and the supporting evidence are received by the deadline given.View the official source.

A late test date for 2028 entry has not been published. If you think your child may need one, contact the school you would register with early.

Does the change affect how places are decided?

The schools have not announced any change to how places are decided. Eligibility for all four schools is determined from the one shared set of entrance tests; each candidate is told whether they are 'eligible' (met the required standard) or 'ineligible'.Source for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP): Qualifying ruleBournemouth and Poole (BCP): Qualifying ruleCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says: The eligibility for admission to consortium schools will be determined on the basis of the entrance test results. ... The school will advise parents whether, on the basis of the tests taken, their child is eligible or ineligible for a place at a Bournemouth and/or Poole Grammar School.View the official source Places are then decided using the Total (aggregate) of the three age-standardised test scoresSource for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP): Score used for rankingBournemouth and Poole (BCP): Score used for rankingCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School for Girls.The source says: 100 places will be assigned to girls who scored most highly in the entrance tests, in rank order of the total of their entrance test scoresView the official source, alongside each school's own priority rules.

Any scores or standards from the GL years come from a different test, so they are a rough background guide at most. Our Bournemouth and Poole results page explains how results are reported.

What about the day itself?

Quest's advice for the morning of the test is to make sure your child eats a proper breakfast, keep the morning calm and positive, and allow plenty of time for the journeySource for Quest: Dorset morning adviceQuest: Dorset morning adviceCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Ensure your child eats a proper breakfast. ... Keep the morning calm and positive. ... Allow plenty of time for the journey.View the official source. A calm start usually helps more than last-minute practice.

Related pages

• Bournemouth and Poole 11+ guide
• Bournemouth and Poole 11+ dates
• GL vs Quest: how the two tests differ
• Quest 11+: format, schools and how to prepare
• The 11+ in Year 5

Sources

Facts on this page come from archived official sources checked on 13 October 2026: Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar School, Poole Grammar School (including its draft admissions policy for 2028 entry), Quest Assessments (Dorset Consortium guidance) and GL Assessment as published by the consortium schools.

ExamKind is independent and is not connected with the Dorset Consortium of Grammar Schools or its member schools, BCP Council, GL Assessment or Quest Assessments. How we make our content.