About the Bexley Selection Test
The Bexley Selection Test is designed to assess whether grammar school is a suitable option for you. The questions in the test are designed to see how you use different types of reasoning skills and to test your ability in English and mathematics. The test is in two separate booklets, one covering verbal skills and the other covering non-verbal and mathematical skills. Both tests are timed and consist of multiple-choice questions. You are required to mark your answers on a separate answer sheet, which is scored by computer.
The Tests
The Bexley Selection Test, under its new provider GL Assessment, consists of two test papers, each lasting approximately 50 minutes. A few minutes are set aside at the start of each paper for children to familiarise themselves with the instructions and attempt some unmarked practice questions. The two papers are divided into individually-timed sections that assess four key areas of student capability:
-English comprehension
-Maths
-Verbal reasoning
-Non-verbal reasoning
Each test is presented in a multiple-choice format with no writing sections, with children recording their responses in a separate answer booklet for electronic marking. The Verbal Skills paper consists of a passage to read and then questions concerning what you have read. There are then questions testing two of the following areas: spelling, punctuation or grammar. This is followed by a Verbal Reasoning section, which tests how well you can apply rules and work out relationships between words and letters.
The Non-Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics paper tests your ability to work out relationships between shapes and patterns (NVR). The mathematics questions draw upon what you have been taught in class; however, there may be some questions that are more challenging that what you are used to. This is so that you can demonstrate how well you can use the skills you have gained already to solve new kinds of problems.
Special arrangements
If your child requires special arrangements, you will need to complete our special arrangements application form, as well as register your child for the test.
What to do if your child misses the test
If your child is ill on the day of the test, or something serious has happened that could affect them (like illness or death in the family), please don’t take them to the test, and inform straight away. Bexley Council can usually make arrangements for an alternative test session. will ask for evidence to support your request. If you send your child to the test, can’t make any allowances afterwards.
If your child becomes ill during the test, please inform immediately, to discuss the situation.
What to do when you get the results
You will receive your child’s result on Friday 6 October 2023. If they are deemed selective, you can include Bexley grammar schools in the six preferences you put on their secondary common application form.
Headteachers can ask to review your child’s score, however, we don’t agree to any reviews until after the closing date to apply for secondary schools. If you think your child’s score should be reviewed, you should still include grammar schools on your application form and talk to your child’s headteacher.
How grammar school places are filled
The top 180 selected pupils automatically make up the highest priority group for places at their preferred school. The rest of the children who apply will go through each school’s admissions process.
You can ask the school about their admissions arrangements, or read our PDF booklet – Admission to secondary schools in Bexley 2023 – 2024 for more information. T
If all the children deemed selective have been allocated places and there are still vacancies, schools will consider creating a reserve list for pupils that scored one or two marks below the selective score.
If you have any other questions about selection tests we have a PDF booklet – Selection test leaflet about the test. Alternatively, please email at selectiontests@bexley.gov.uk