GL vs FSCE: how preparation changes

Moving from GL to FSCE changes the kind of test, not just the name on the paper. Where Gloucestershire and Trafford used GL tests with verbal, non-verbal and maths reasoning, their FSCE tests draw on the Key Stage 2 curriculum up to the end of Year 5, and FSCE does not release earlier test papers. Gloucestershire's new test also includes some short written answers. Gloucestershire also moves its test into Year 5. Preparation shifts from practising question types towards secure school learning.

Where is the change from GL to FSCE happening?

Two grammar school areas are switching, both from 2028 entry. That means children now in Year 5 sit the new FSCE test, while children now in Year 6 (2027 entry) were tested under the GL arrangements.

• Gloucestershire: FSCE from 2028 entry, tested in July of Year 5Source for Gloucestershire: change to FSCE testsGloucestershire: change to FSCE testsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says: The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test for entry into Year 7 in September 2028 will take place on Saturday 3 July 2027.View the official source. The schools explain: The G7 appointed FSCE as the new admissions test provider for entry to Year 7 from 2028 onwards, after a competitive tender.Source for Gloucestershire: Provider change statementGloucestershire: Provider change statementCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says: The seven Gloucestershire Grammar Schools (G7) have appointed Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) as their new admissions test provider for entry to Year 7 from 2028 onwards, following a comprehensive competitive tender process.View the official source
• Trafford: FSCE from 2028 entry; Year 5 testing from 2029 entrySource for Trafford: change to FSCE testsTrafford: change to FSCE testsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford).The source says: For entry to Year 7 in 2028, the test provider will be FSCE and the admissions test will be held in September of Year 6.View the official source. Who runs the test? The Trafford Grammar School Consortium: one shared test for the five schools, registered for once through any member schoolSource for Trafford: Test run byTrafford: Test run byCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford).The source says: The Consortium operates a shared testing process, enabling children to sit one test for entry to any of these schools.View the official source.

Reading School already uses FSCE, so its published arrangements give a picture of a settled FSCE test (see below).

Why did these areas choose a curriculum-based test?

The Gloucestershire grammar schools describe FSCE's approach as tests drawing on Key Stage 2 content, accessible to children from any primary school and reducing reliance on specialist tutoringSource for Gloucestershire: Change rationaleGloucestershire: Change rationaleCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says: FSCE’s approach draws heavily on Key Stage 2 curriculum content, ensuring accessibility for children from a wide range of primary schools and reducing reliance on specialist 11+ tutoring.View the official source. FSCE itself says its tests are individually tailored to the needs of each schoolSource for FSCE: TailoredFSCE: TailoredCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise).The source says: Tests that are individually tailored toView the official source, so each school or consortium can choose which papers it uses.

GL tests, by contrast, vary from area to area, and in both of these areas they included verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Children do not usually meet those reasoning question types in class. FSCE content is based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum up to the end of Year 5Source for FSCE: what the tests coverFSCE: what the tests coverCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise).The source says: Content from the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum taught in primary schools up toView the official source, which is the work children already do at school.

How does Gloucestershire's test change?

The table compares the official descriptions of the two Gloucestershire tests.

Four changes stand out.

1. No non-verbal reasoning. The schools confirm: Non-verbal reasoning element removed under FSCESource for Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Removal of non verbal reasoningGloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Removal of non verbal reasoningCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Denmark Road High School.The source says: This, and the removal of the Non-verbal reasoning element, makes the test more equitable and accessible for all prospective students.View the official source. Verbal reasoning also no longer appears as a separate subject.
2. Some written answers. The Beacon paper asks for short written answers, written into boxes, rather than a choice of options.
3. A wider curriculum paper. The Compass paper can draw on many school subjects, though Maths and English form the main part; foundation subjects also assessedSource for Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Main subjectsGloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Main subjectsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says: Maths and English form the main part of the assessment, so preparation can focus on developing the maths skills they are learning in schoolView the official source.
4. An earlier test. In the schools' words, the test moves from September of Year 6 to the latter part of the summer term of Year 5, from summer 2027 for September 2028 entrySource for Gloucestershire: Test move to year5Gloucestershire: Test move to year5CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says: As part of the new arrangements, the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools have also taken the decision to move the test date from September of Year 6 to the latter part of the summer term of Year 5. This will reduce pressure on pupils beginning Year 6, and provide families with earlier results.View the official source.

What changes in Trafford?

Trafford's GL test for 2027 entry has these papers: Test 1 (name not printed) (verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths) (60 minutes); Test 2 (name not printed) (verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths) (60 minutes)Source for Trafford 2027 entry: PapersTrafford 2027 entry: PapersCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Altrincham Grammar School for Girls.The source says: There are two papers, each approximately one hour long, containing questions which assess verbal, non-verbal and mathematics skills.View the official source.

For 2028 entry, the consortium says: GL Assessment is replaced by FSCE. The test changes from verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning to Key Stage 2 English and maths (the national curriculum up to the end of Year 5); FSCE will set, mark and age-standardise itSource for Trafford 2028 entry: Provider changeTrafford 2028 entry: Provider changeCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford).The source says: Beginning with the entrance test to be sat in September 2027, the content of the admissions test will change from verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning. The new admissions test will draw on the Key Stage 2 English and mathematics national curriculum programmes of study up to the end of Year 5.View the official source. In short, the new test covers Key Stage 2 English and maths, drawing on the national curriculum up to the end of Year 5Source for Trafford: Test content2028Trafford: Test content2028CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford).The source says: The new admissions test will draw on the Key Stage 2 English and mathematics national curriculum programmes of study up to the end of Year 5.View the official source.

Timing changes in two steps:

• 2028 entry: the test is in September 2027, at the start of Year 6Source for Trafford 2028 entry: Test timingTrafford 2028 entry: Test timingCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford).The source says: For entry to Year 7 in 2028, the test provider will be FSCE and the admissions test will be held in September of Year 6.View the official source.
• 2029 entry: Test moves from September of Year 6 to the latter part of the summer term of Year 5 from 2029 entry; FSCE remains provider.Source for Trafford 2029 entry: Provider changeTrafford 2029 entry: Provider changeCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford).The source says: As part of the new arrangements, for entry to Year 7 from 2029 onwards, the Trafford Grammar School Consortium have also taken the decision to move the test date from September of Year 6 to the latter part of the summer term of Year 5.View the official source

Check the consortium schools' pages for the paper list and familiarisation guide for the first FSCE test. Our Trafford 11+ guide adds these details as they are published.

What does a settled FSCE test look like?

Reading School already uses FSCE, and its arrangements show that FSCE schools can choose different papers. Reading's test has these papers: Adventure; Beacon; Compass; DiscoverySource for Reading School entrance test (FSCE): PapersReading School entrance test (FSCE): PapersCloseChecked 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. Its content covers Key Stage 2 up to and including the Year 5 programme of study; plus thinking like an author, problem solving and thinking creativelySource for Reading School entrance test (FSCE): Curriculum basisReading School entrance test (FSCE): Curriculum basisCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: Children are expected to show ability appropriate to the Key Stage 2 curriculum, up to and including the Year 5 programme of study. No additional preparation is necessary.View the official source. It also includes a Creativity question requiring a written answer ('Thinking Creatively')Source for Reading School entrance test (FSCE): Writing taskReading School entrance test (FSCE): Writing taskCloseChecked 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.

This is a reminder not to assume your area's FSCE test is the same as another school's. Gloucestershire's FSCE test has 3Source for Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Paper countGloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Paper countCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says: The Entrance Test will consist of three FSCE papers:View the official source papers, while Reading's has 4Source for Reading School entrance test (FSCE): Paper countReading School entrance test (FSCE): Paper countCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: The test consists of four papers: Adventure, Beacon, Compass, and Discovery.View the official source.

Why does FSCE not release earlier test papers, and what replaces them?

FSCE says there are no past papers; the content changes every yearSource for FSCE: past papersFSCE: past papersCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise).The source says: FSCE does not issue past papers and our test content changes every year;View the official source. Reading School adds that there are no commercially available practice test papers for FSCE testsSource for FSCE: Reading schoolFSCE: Reading schoolCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: Please note: there are no commercially available practice test papers for the FSCE Ltd tests.View the official source. In Gloucestershire, no commercial 11+ books or past papers are endorsed by FSCESource for Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Practice materials soldGloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Practice materials soldCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sir Thomas Rich's School.The source says: There are NO commercial 11+ books or past papers endorsed by FSCE.View the official source.

This is a real change for families used to GL, where GL offers free familiarisation papers to print; practice papers cost moneySource for GL Assessment: free practice materialGL Assessment: free practice materialCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.The source says: While familiarisation papers are freely available for download, practice papers are only accessible for purchase.View the official source. With FSCE, the official familiarisation guides are the main source. For example, Reading School offers familiarisation guides for children and parents; no practice or past papersSource for Reading School entrance test (FSCE): Familiarisation materialsReading School entrance test (FSCE): Familiarisation materialsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: Please note: there are no commercially available practice test papers for the FSCE Ltd tests.View the official source.

FSCE's own view of preparation is that children do not need a tutor, and its website and familiarisation guides give all the information neededSource for FSCE: what it says about tutoringFSCE: what it says about tutoringCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise).The source says: All the information you and your child will need can be found on this website and in our Familiarisation Guides.View the official source. Whether to use extra help is your family's choice.

What changes for preparation in practice?

From question types to school learning. With GL, much preparation went into getting used to verbal and non-verbal reasoning. With FSCE, the most useful work is making sure Year 5 English and maths feel secure. School homework, reading and times tables are now directly relevant.

Practise short written answers. For a Beacon-style paper, children need to write a clear, exact answer rather than choose one. Short, calm practice at answering exactly what is asked helps.

Keep curiosity broad. For the wider-curriculum paper, Gloucestershire's schools suggest activities such as visiting museums, exploring new genres of books and applying maths to everyday lifeSource for FSCE: Glos prep adviceFSCE: Glos prep adviceCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says: To support this, activities such as visiting museums, exploring new genres of books, and applying mathematical learning to everyday life can all be valuable ways to prepare.View the official source. This kind of preparation is part of normal family life rather than extra test work.

Plan for the earlier date. A test in July of Year 5 gives less time than a September test in Year 6. It also means the test covers only what has been taught by then. Our guide to the 11+ in Year 5 looks at pacing for this year.

Practise the practical details. In Gloucestershire, the equipment rules are: Two black pens; no pencils, rulers, scrap paper, calculators or watches; clocks in room; breaks between papersSource for Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): EquipmentGloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): EquipmentCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sir Thomas Rich's School.The source says: Two black pens (either black biros or black ballpoint pens – Frixion Pens are permitted); ... × Paper (no study notes or scrap paper); × Stopwatches or timers; × Calculators (including calculator watches);View the official source. A child used to working in pencil may want a few practice sessions in pen. The schools also answer some common questions. Is there negative marking? NoSource for Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Negative markingGloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Negative markingCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sir Thomas Rich's School.The source says: You will NOT lose any marks for incorrect answers!View the official source. Are there audio instructions? YesSource for Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Audio instructionsGloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Audio instructionsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sir Thomas Rich's School.The source says: The instructions before, during and after all parts of the test will be given to you via a voice recording.View the official source. How long are the papers? The answer given is each paper typically 45-60 minutes; three papers, possibly in any order, with a break possible between themSource for Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Paper minutesGloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Paper minutesCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sir Thomas Rich's School.The source says: There are three separate papers which might be sat in any order; • Each paper typically lasts 45–60 minutes; • A break may be scheduled between papers.View the official source.

Expect new content each year. Does the content change every year? YesSource for Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Content varies yearlyGloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): Content varies yearlyCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sir Thomas Rich's School.The source says: The Entrance Test content changes each year therefore the Familiarisation Guide is NOT definitive and the inclusion of any question types does NOT guarantee that they will be found in the actual test.View the official source. Drilling one set of questions is unlikely to help much.

What carries over from GL preparation?

If an older child prepared for a GL test, much of that work still helps a younger sibling facing FSCE:

• wide reading and a growing vocabulary
• confident arithmetic and times tables
• reading questions carefully and checking answers
• shading answers neatly, since some FSCE papers still use multiple-choice options

What carries over less well is practice focused on non-verbal reasoning, which the Gloucestershire FSCE test no longer includes. You can set that aside.

Is one test harder than the other?

No official source we have checked says that either test is harder, and we do not rank providers. Each area sets its own standard and standardises its scores. For children with additional needs, FSCE offers adapted formats including Braille, large print and modified papersSource for FSCE: adapted test formatsFSCE: adapted test formatsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says: FSCE also provides adapted formats - including Braille, large print and modified papers - and expert support for schools making reasonable adjustments for candidateView the official source; our guide to access arrangements explains how to ask.

Related pages

• FSCE 11+: format, schools and how to prepare
• The FSCE papers explained
• FSCE past papers: why there are none
• Gloucestershire 11+ guide
• Trafford 11+ guide
• The 11+ formats compared
• GL vs Quest: how the two tests differ

Sources

Facts on this page come from archived official sources checked on 13 October 2026: FSCE, GL Assessment (as published by Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School), the Gloucestershire grammar schools (G7), including Pate's Grammar School, Sir Thomas Rich's School, Stroud High School and Denmark Road High School, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford) and Reading School.

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