Entrance Assessments

At Merchant Taylors’, we are proud to offer a learning journey from Reception to Sixth Form. As an academically selective school, our entrance assessments help us understand each child’s potential and ensure they will thrive in our ambitious, nurturing environment.

Entry to Prep (Reception to Year 6)

The Prep is a vibrant and inclusive setting for children aged 4 to 11. Our admissions process is designed to be welcoming and child-focused:

• Reception to Year 2: Families are initially invited for a tour of the School. We request a report from your child’s current nursery or school, and children attend a Familiarisation Session to help us get to know them in a relaxed, age-appropriate setting. The length of the sessions vary, depending on the age of pupils. Parents will also meet key members of staff.

• Year 3 to Year 6: Children spend one or two full days with us, during which time they will take a Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT) covering verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative reasoning. No preparation is required, and the test is age-adjusted. For the remainder of the time, pupils will spend time in the classroom. A reference from the current school is also requested.

Pupils who join Merchant Taylors’ Prep benefit from a seamless transition to our Senior School, with no further entrance assessment required. Progression is based on ongoing academic performance and development.

Entry to Senior School (Year 7 to Year 11)

Our Senior School offers a dynamic and supportive coeducational environment from Year 7 onwards.

• Year 7 Entry: Applicants sit a computer-based Cognitive Abilities Test in early November. This includes verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative reasoning sections, each lasting around 40 minutes. No preparation is needed, though sample questions are available online. The top 25% of candidates are invited to our Academic Scholarship Day, where they complete further assessments in English and Maths and attend an interview with a senior academic leader.

• Mid-Year Entry (Years 7–10): Applicants attend a Taster & Assessment Day, which includes a CAT test, time in lessons, and an interview with senior staff. A reference from the current school is also required.

Entry to Sixth Form

We welcome applications from pupils at other schools for Sixth Form entry. Each autumn, we host a Sixth Form Open Evening for prospective pupils and families.

• Offers are based on predicted or mock GCSE grades and an interview with a senior member of staff in one of the applicant’s chosen A Level subjects.

• Final places are confirmed following GCSE results in August.