Bexley Selection Test 11+ Guide for Parents
The Bexley Selection Test is the 11+ test used for grammar school entry in the London Borough of Bexley. Children who want to be considered for one of the Bexley grammar schools must take the selection test and achieve the selective standard.
This guide explains what the Bexley Selection Test assesses, which skills pupils should build, and how to use the Scholars Tutorial online platform and printed paper sets to prepare effectively.
What Is the Bexley Selection Test?
The Bexley Selection Test is the grammar school selection test for the London Borough of Bexley. It is commonly known as the 11 Plus because pupils usually take it at the beginning of Year 6 for entry to secondary school the following September.
The test is used to decide whether a child has met the selective academic standard needed to be considered for a Bexley grammar school place.
Achieving the selective standard does not automatically guarantee a grammar school place. Places are allocated according to each school’s admissions and oversubscription criteria.
Which Schools Use the Bexley Selection Test?
Bexley has four grammar schools. A single Bexley Selection Test is used for admission consideration across all four schools.
| School | Type |
|---|---|
| Beths Grammar School | Boys |
| Bexley Grammar School | Mixed |
| Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School | Mixed |
| Townley Grammar School | Girls |
Parents should read the admissions policy for each grammar school they are considering because the test result is only one part of the admissions process.
Who Provides the Bexley Selection Test?
The Bexley Selection Test provider is Quest Assessments.
This means parents should make sure their child is preparing for the current Bexley test structure, not an outdated GL, CEM or older Bexley format.
What Does the Bexley Selection Test Assess?
The Bexley Selection Test assesses:
- Verbal ability and English comprehension
- Numerical reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
In practical preparation terms, pupils should build confidence across:
- English comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Verbal Reasoning
- Grammar, punctuation and spelling
- Maths arithmetic
- Numerical reasoning
- Maths word problems
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Pattern recognition
- Multiple-choice technique
- Working accurately under timed conditions
Bexley Test Format
The Bexley Selection Test consists of two separate test booklets. Both papers are timed and contain multiple-choice questions.
Each paper is divided into timed sections, and pupils mark answers on a separate machine-readable answer sheet.
Each paper lasts approximately 50 minutes, plus extra time for instructions. The whole test session may take longer because it includes instructions, both papers and a break.
Important Preparation Point
Bexley preparation should not focus only on Maths or only on English. A balanced plan should include English comprehension, vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning, Maths, numerical reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Bexley Scoring and Selective Standard
Bexley uses an age-standardised score. The selective standard is set through the Bexley process and can be entry-year dependent.
The score weighting is:
- 50% verbal ability and English comprehension
- 25% numerical reasoning
- 25% non-verbal reasoning
Bexley also identifies the highest-scoring children as part of the admissions priority process. Parents should check the current admissions information because scoring, priority groups and oversubscription arrangements can change.
Registration and Test Centres
Parents must register their child for the Bexley Selection Test within the published registration window. Children attending Bexley primary schools are not automatically registered.
Late registration is not normally accepted, and there is no appeal process for missing the registration deadline.
Registered children may sit the test at their own participating primary school or at one of the Bexley grammar school test centres, depending on their school and circumstances.
Parents should also complete the normal secondary school application process and list Bexley grammar schools as preferences if they want their child to be considered.
Access Arrangements
If a child has special educational needs, a disability or usual classroom arrangements that may affect test access, parents may request special arrangements.
Requests need to be made within the published deadline and should reflect the child’s normal way of working in school. Registering for special arrangements does not replace the need to register for the Bexley Selection Test itself.
Scholars Tutorial Preparation Route for Bexley
On the Scholars Tutorial platform, Bexley preparation should focus on English comprehension, vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning, Maths, numerical reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Recommended Scholars Tutorial Online Route
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ English
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ VR
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ Maths
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ Maths : Word Problems
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ NVR
- 11+ Mock Exams → 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE
- 11+ Mock Exams → 11+ SPAG
- 11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced VOCAB
The Scholars Tutorial 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets are useful because they combine:
- English + Verbal Reasoning
- Maths + Non-Verbal Reasoning
This supports the skills needed for Bexley: verbal ability, English comprehension, numerical reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Scholars Tutorial Online Categories
Scholars Tutorial organises 11+ preparation into clear categories. For Bexley, the most relevant areas are Core Subjects, Mock Exams, Foundation and selected Advanced practice.
11+ Core Subjects
These are essential for Bexley preparation.
- 11+ English
- 11+ VR
- 11+ Maths
- 11+ Maths : Word Problems
- 11+ NVR
11+ Mock Exams
This category supports mixed exam-pattern practice.
- 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE — mixed sets for GL, CEM and ISEB-style preparation.
- 11+ SPAG — spelling, punctuation, grammar and language accuracy practice.
11+ Foundation
Foundation subjects are useful for children who need to strengthen basics before harder practice.
- 11+ Foundation English
- 11+ Foundation Maths
- 11+ Foundation VR
11+ Advanced
Advanced subjects are useful for pupils who need extra challenge.
- 11+ Advanced English
- 11+ Advanced Maths
- 11+ Advanced VOCAB
- 11+ Advanced SPAG
English Comprehension and Vocabulary Preparation
English comprehension and verbal ability carry a significant weighting in the Bexley Selection Test. Pupils should build strong reading and vocabulary skills.
Your child should practise:
- Reading comprehension
- Inference
- Retrieving information from a passage
- Vocabulary in context
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Word meanings
- Understanding question wording
- Eliminating incorrect answer choices
- Working quickly but accurately
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ English
- 11+ Advanced VOCAB
- 11+ SPAG
- 11+ Advanced English, for stronger pupils
Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Verbal Reasoning is part of verbal ability. It tests how well pupils can work with words, meanings, patterns and logic.
Your child should practise:
- Word relationships
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Letter codes
- Word codes
- Compound words
- Hidden words
- Logical sequences
- Vocabulary-based reasoning
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ VR
- 11+ Foundation VR
- 11+ Advanced VOCAB
- 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets
Maths and Numerical Reasoning Preparation
Numerical reasoning in Bexley requires pupils to solve mathematical problems accurately. The content should be within primary school expectations, but the questions can still require careful reasoning.
Your child should practise:
- Times tables and mental maths
- Written calculations
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Percentages
- Ratio and proportion
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Data handling
- Number patterns
- Word problems
- Multi-step reasoning
- Checking calculations
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ Maths
- 11+ Maths : Word Problems
- 11+ Foundation Maths
- 11+ Advanced Maths, for stronger pupils
Non-Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Non-verbal reasoning assesses a child’s ability to recognise patterns, understand relationships between objects and make logical deductions.
Your child should practise:
- Shape patterns
- Sequences
- Matrices
- Odd-one-out questions
- Rotation
- Reflection
- Symmetry
- Spatial reasoning
- Visual problem solving
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ NVR
- 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets
SPAG Support for Bexley
Bexley’s test includes verbal ability and English comprehension. SPAG practice can support language accuracy, vocabulary and careful reading.
Useful areas include:
- Spelling accuracy
- Grammar knowledge
- Punctuation rules
- Sentence structure
- Word classes
- Understanding how language works
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ SPAG
- 11+ Advanced SPAG
- 11+ English
Printed Paper Sets for Bexley 11+ Preparation
Printed paper sets are useful because they help pupils practise concentration, timing, multiple-choice answer selection and full-paper discipline.
Useful Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets include:
- 11+ Mixed Practice Papers
- 11+ English Practice Papers
- 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
- 11+ Maths Practice Papers
- 11+ Maths : Word Problems Practice Papers
- 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
- 11+ SPAG Practice Papers
- 11+ Foundation Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
- 11+ Foundation Maths Practice Papers
- 11+ Advanced VOCAB Practice Papers
Printed papers should be used alongside online practice. Online practice helps target weak areas, while printed papers help pupils apply skills in a realistic paper format.
Multiple Choice Format
The Bexley Selection Test is made up of timed multiple-choice sections. Pupils need to solve questions accurately and mark answers carefully.
Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets support Multiple Choice Format practice.
This helps pupils learn how to:
- Read each question carefully
- Identify key information
- Use rough working in the test booklet
- Eliminate incorrect options
- Avoid rushing
- Check calculations and reasoning
- Mark answer choices accurately
- Manage time across timed sections
Suggested Weekly Bexley 11+ Preparation Plan
A balanced weekly plan could include:
- 2 days per week: English comprehension, vocabulary or SPAG
- 1 to 2 days per week: Verbal Reasoning
- 2 days per week: Maths or numerical reasoning
- 1 day per week: Non-Verbal Reasoning
- 1 day per week: Mixed practice, printed paper practice or mistake review
Younger pupils or pupils just starting should use shorter sessions. Pupils closer to the test can gradually increase timed practice and printed paper work.
Common Bexley 11+ Preparation Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Practising only Maths and ignoring verbal ability
- Leaving vocabulary development too late
- Ignoring English comprehension
- Leaving Non-Verbal Reasoning until the final weeks
- Doing papers without reviewing mistakes
- Starting timed work before the child understands the question types
- Focusing only on speed instead of accuracy
- Not practising answer-sheet accuracy
- Missing the registration deadline
- Assuming achieving the selective standard guarantees a specific grammar school place
How Parents Can Support at Home
Parents can make Bexley 11+ preparation more effective by keeping it steady, calm and balanced.
Helpful habits include:
- Check the current Bexley registration and admissions timetable
- Read each grammar school’s admissions policy
- Encourage daily reading and vocabulary discussion
- Practise mental maths regularly
- Review mistakes after each test
- Keep a notebook of weak topics
- Use online practice to target gaps
- Use printed papers for exam discipline
- Practise VR and NVR consistently
- Avoid last-minute cramming
- Focus on confidence as well as scores
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bexley Selection Test?
The Bexley Selection Test is the 11+ test used to decide whether pupils have met the selective academic standard for grammar school consideration in the London Borough of Bexley.
Which schools use the Bexley Selection Test?
The four Bexley grammar schools are Beths Grammar School, Bexley Grammar School, Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, and Townley Grammar School.
Who provides the Bexley Selection Test?
The Bexley Selection Test provider is Quest Assessments.
What does the Bexley Selection Test assess?
The test assesses verbal ability and English comprehension, numerical reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
How many papers are in the Bexley test?
The test consists of two separate booklets. Both papers are timed and contain multiple-choice questions. Each paper lasts approximately 50 minutes, plus extra time for instructions.
How is the Bexley test weighted?
The weighting is 50% verbal ability and English comprehension, 25% numerical reasoning and 25% non-verbal reasoning.
Which Scholars Tutorial subjects are best for Bexley preparation?
Useful subjects include 11+ English, 11+ VR, 11+ Maths, 11+ Maths : Word Problems, 11+ NVR, 11+ SPAG and 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets.
Does achieving the selective standard guarantee a place?
No. Achieving the selective standard makes a child eligible to be considered, but school places are allocated according to each grammar school’s admissions and oversubscription criteria.
Do children attending Bexley primary schools need to register?
Yes. Parents are responsible for registering their child within the published registration window. Children attending Bexley primary schools are not automatically registered.
Are printed paper sets useful for Bexley preparation?
Yes. Printed paper sets help pupils practise multiple-choice technique, timed sections, concentration and full-paper discipline. They work best when combined with online topic practice.
Final Advice
Bexley 11+ preparation should be balanced across verbal ability, English comprehension, numerical reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Pupils should build strong vocabulary, comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Maths, Non-Verbal Reasoning, SPAG and multiple-choice skills, supported by regular mistake review.
The Scholars Tutorial online platform helps pupils strengthen these areas through organised subject categories, while printed paper sets help children practise with realistic exam discipline.
For Bexley preparation, the 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets under 11+ Mock Exams are useful because they combine English with Verbal Reasoning and Maths with Non-Verbal Reasoning.
By combining online practice, printed paper sets, timed work, careful mistake review and up-to-date admissions checking, pupils can build the confidence and accuracy needed for the Bexley Selection Test.