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Sutton SET format: Stage 1 and Stage 2
By ExamKind Editorial TeamFacts checked 19 October 2026Last reviewed 19 October 2026
In short
In Sutton, six schools share a first-stage test called the Selective Eligibility Test (SET): two multiple-choice papers in maths and English, with no verbal or non-verbal reasoning. Children who pass are invited to a second-stage exam: one shared test for the boys' grammar schools and a joint test for the two girls' grammar schools. Passing both stages makes a child eligible, but places still follow each school's admission rules.
Who uses Sutton SET, by entry year
Built from each area's and school's checked admissions information. A school is listed when its own record names the test for that year; areas list the schools on their own pages.
September 2027 entry(Year 6 now)
Areas
- Sutton SET: Selective Eligibility Test (SET), Sutton
Schools with a checked record (5)
For 15 of the areas we cover, the test provider for September 2027 entry is not confirmed yet, so they are not listed here. See every area's test.
September 2028 entry(Year 5 now)
None confirmed yetNo area or school we cover has a checked record of using Sutton SET for this entry year yet.
For 28 of the areas we cover, the test provider for September 2028 entry is not confirmed yet, so they are not listed here. See every area's test.
The format
What the source says
- two multiple-choice papers (maths and English), no reasoning papersSource: Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website), checked
- a second-stage exam for children who pass the SETSource: Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website), checked
The same provider can set a different test in each area. These are the tests it writes for the areas we cover.
Selective Eligibility Test (SET), Sutton
Sutton SET; September 2027 entry.
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Papers | The SET is two multiple-choice papers, one in maths and one in English, each lasting 40 to 50 minutes, with no verbal or non-verbal reasoning. | Source: Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website), checked |
| Number of papers | 2 | Source: Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website), checked |
| What it tests | Maths and English (no verbal or non-verbal reasoning). | Source: Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website), checked |
| Answer format | Multiple choice: children mark each answer on a separate answer sheet by filling in a lozenge (A to E). | Source: Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website), checked |
Does Sutton SET publish past papers?
No specimen papers; content broadly based on Key Stage 2, with sample questions published.Source: Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website), checked
Which schools use the Sutton SET?
Greenshaw High School, Nonsuch High School for Girls, Sutton Grammar School, Wallington County Grammar School, Wallington High School for Girls and Wilson’s SchoolSutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): SchoolsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website).The source says: The “participating schools” in the Selective Eligibility Test, “SET”, are Greenshaw High
View the official source. See the Sutton 11+ guide for dates, registration and admission details for each entry year.
Greenshaw High School uses the SET to decide who can be considered for its ability places, and holds no second stageSutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): GreenshawChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website).The source says: Greenshaw High School uses the outcome of the ... Selective Eligibility Test to determine those children who may be eligible to be considered
View the official source. The other five schools use both stages.
What is in Stage 1 (the SET)?
two multiple-choice papers (maths and English), no reasoning papersSutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): the test papersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website).The source says: The test is made up of two papers; a multiple-choice Maths paper and a multiple-choice
View the official source. Answers go on a separate answer sheet. no marks are taken off for wrong answersSutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): No negative markingChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website).The source says: There is no negative marking in the SET papers.
View the official source.
On materials, the schools say: no specimen papers; content broadly based on Key Stage 2, with sample questions publishedSutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): practice papersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website).The source says: We do not provide specimen papers. The content of the Maths and English tests is broadly ... based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum.
View the official source. The sample questions are published on the participating schools' websites.
What happens at Stage 2?
Children who pass the SET for one of the five grammar schools go on to a second-stage exam. In brief:
- Boys: Sutton Grammar School, Wallington County Grammar School and Wilson’s School hold one shared second-stage test, and each school sets its own standardSutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): Boys stage2Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website).The source says:
A shared second stage test will be held by Sutton Grammar School, Wallington County ... Grammar School and Wilson’s School
View the official source. - Girls: Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls hold a joint second-stage test, with the same standard for both schoolsSutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): Girls stage2Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website).The source says:
A joint second stage test will be held by Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High ... School for Girls
View the official source.
On timing, the schools say second-stage results are emailed by the end of October, before the application deadline; passing does not mean a placeSutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): Stage2 outcomeChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website).The source says: The outcome of the second stage entrance examinations will be emailed to parents/carers by ... the end of October (in advance of the deadline for completion of the CAF).
View the official source.
How is this different from other 11+ tests?
- It is two-stage, so children face a second sitting a few weeks after the first.
- The first stage is English and maths only, with no reasoning papers.
- The second stage is run by the schools themselves. See school-set tests for similar two-stage tests elsewhere.
How can you prepare calmly for the Sutton SET?
- Look at the official sample questions together so the answer sheet and question styles are familiar.
- Build secure Key Stage 2 English and maths, since both stages draw on them.
- Plan for two sittings. Keep energy for the second stage rather than peaking for the first.
- Talk about what happens after Stage 1, whatever the result, so your child is not surprised.
Related pages
- Sutton 11+ guide
- School-set two-stage tests
- 11+ exam boards explained
- Test-day checklist
Sources
Facts on this page come from the Sutton SET consortium's frequently asked questions for 2027 entry (published on Nonsuch High School for Girls' website), archived on 9 October 2026.
ExamKind is independent and is not connected with any Sutton school. How we make our content.
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