Grammar schools in Reading

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial Team

Reading 11+: the test
Not checked yet
Reading 11+: score to qualify
Set by each school

In short

Reading's grammar schools each set their own test: Kendrick SchoolKendrick School: NameChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: Kendrick School Year 7 Admission Policy – September 2027 EntryView the official source, for girlsKendrick School: PupilsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: Kendrick School is a selective girls’ school with academy status and therefore is its own admissions authority.View the official source, and Reading SchoolReading School: NameChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: Reading School Year 7 Day Admissions Policy 2027 entryView the official source, for boysReading School: PupilsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: Reading School is a selective boys' grammar school.View the official source. Kendrick uses a test from GL AssessmentKendrick School entrance test (GL Assessment): Test providerChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: All marking and standardisation will be carried out by GL Assessment.View the official source, sat on Friday 18 September 2026Kendrick School 2027 entry: Test dateChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: The tests will take place on Friday 18th September 2026 at Kendrick School, in either the morning or the afternoon.View the official source for 2027 entry. Reading School uses a test from FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise)Reading School entrance test (FSCE): Test providerChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: Please click on the link below to find out more about the FSCE Tests:View the official source, and it comes early: for 2027 entry the main sitting was on Thursday 16 July 2026Reading School 2027 entry: Test dateChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: In July of Year 5 for candidates living within the catchment area at the time of registration and [...] those registered for a boarding place. The proposed date is 16 July.View the official source, in Year 5Reading School 2027 entry: Year group at testChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: In July of Year 5 for candidates living within the catchment area at the time of registration and [...] those registered for a boarding place.View the official source. Both schools send results before the application deadline, Saturday 31 October 2026Reading 2027 entry: School place applications close (CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: The deadline for receipt of the Common Application Form by the home LA is 31 October 2026.View the official source. The list runs A to Z, or by distance once you enter a postcode.

The schools

Schools in Reading

The Berkshire 11+, step by step

Listed A to Z by school name.

Kendrick SchoolGirls
No distance published
–
128 places, 2027 entry
Reading SchoolBoys
No distance published
–
150 places, 2027 entry

How places are given in Reading

Each school is its own admission authority, so the rules differ.

Kendrick School. The test has Test 1 (English, Mathematics, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning; 60 minutes); Test 2 (English, Mathematics, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning; 60 minutes)Kendrick School entrance test (GL Assessment): PapersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: There will be two tests each of approximately one hour duration. There will be a short break between the two test sessions. The tests will assess English, Mathematics, Non-Verbal and Verbal Reasoning.View the official source. On the pass mark: Qualifying score set each year (to two decimal places); 5 points lower for looked-after / PP / SP candidates.Kendrick School entrance test (GL Assessment): Pass mark methodChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: A qualifying score will be determined (to two decimal places) for candidates in categories 3-6 of the oversubscription criteria below.View the official source On scoring: raw scores age-standardised; ranking by the aggregate of both papersKendrick School entrance test (GL Assessment): StandardisationChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: The raw scores will be age standardised and the ranking is determined by the aggregate of the age standardised scores of both papers.View the official source. Where a tie-break is needed, Reading Local Authority supervises Kendrick tie-break random allocationReading: Random allocation supervisorChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: For those living equidistant from the school, an independent person will supervise random allocation. In the case of Kendrick School, this will be Reading Local Authority.View the official source.

Reading School. The papers are named Adventure; Beacon; Compass; DiscoveryReading School entrance test (FSCE): PapersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: The test consists of four papers: Adventure, Beacon, Compass, and Discovery. These include multiple choice, constrained response and written questionsView the official source, and one includes a Creativity question requiring a written answer ('Thinking Creatively')Reading School entrance test (FSCE): Writing taskChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: In the test, your child will be asked to provide a written answer to a Creativity question.View the official source. On the pass mark: Eligible score set annually by the Governors' Admissions Committee; must be 'of the standard' in each element (no compensation between elements).Reading School entrance test (FSCE): Pass mark methodChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: The 'eligible score' varies from year to year, and therefore comparisons to previous years are inappropriate. To be eligible, a candidate must be 'of the standard' in each of the elements of the entrance test.View the official source

Which council handles your application

The local authority here is Reading Borough CouncilReading: Local authorityChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: Further details can be obtained online at Reading Borough Council’s website or on the school’s website.View the official source, but you apply through the council where you live, wherever that is. Registering for either test is a separate step from the application. Offers for 2027 entry come on Monday 1 March 2027Reading 2027 entry: National Offer DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: They will be informed by the home LA, [...] on the national offer date, 1 March 2027.View the official source.

Where to find the dates

The Reading dates page shows both schools' timetables side by side. For 2028 entry at Kendrick, open event in April 2027; 2028 policy expected January 2027Kendrick School 2028 entry: Dates published byChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: Our Open Event for current Year 5s interested in 2028 entry into Year 7 will be in April 2027.View the official source. Reading School's registration for 2027 entry closed on Sunday 17 May 2026, midnightReading School 2027 entry: Registration closesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: Registration for the entrance exam for 2027 entry closed at midnight on 17th May 2026.View the official source, so families of children now in Year 5 should watch for the 2028 entry window on the school's website. The Reading 11+ guide explains both tests.