Year 7 entry (11+)

Pre-examination adjustments

Access Arrangements are pre-examination adjustments for candidates based on evidence of need and normal way of working. They can include, but are not limited to, extra time, supervised breaks and use of word processor.  Access Arrangements are reviewed by our Learning Support team and granted in line with JCQ regulations. To evidence a need and normal way of working, you will need to submit the following at time of application:

• a letter/report from CAMHS, a HPC registered psychologist, a medical consultant, a psychiatrist, a Speech and Language Therapist; or
• a letter/report from the Local Authority Specialist Service, Local Authority Sensory Impairment Service or Occupational Health Service; or
• a current EHCP
• We will also require a letter from the current school stating the pupil's normal way of working

The College needs this information so that it can assess a pupil’s particular needs and (if required) can consult with their parents about the adjustments which could reasonably be made to cater for those needs during the admissions process.

Please indicate requirements in the Special Educational Need (SEN) section when submitting an online registration form. If there are any changes to requirements, please inform the Registrars no later than 10 days before the entrance examination.

Entry to Year 7 (11+), September 2026

Entrance Examinations

The admissions test is in two parts, which will last, in total, about 3 hours, including breaks during the tests.  

Part 1: Online tests 

• Mathematics – 20 minutes   
• English – 30 minutes   
• Non-verbal Reasoning – 10 minutes   
• Verbal Reasoning – 10 minutes   
• Puzzles and Problem Solving – 15 minutes   
• Creative Comprehension – 20 minutes  

Maths and English questions will cover the range of topics as set out in Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum.  

Most questions are multiple choice with only a few requiring a typed word or number.

The Maths, Non-Verbal and Verbal Reasoning are adaptive which means that questions get harder or easier depending on answers submitted.  Candidates are therefore not able to go back and change their answers.

The English, Puzzles and Problem Solving and Creative Comprehension are non-adaptive which means all candidates have the same questions and are able to move backward and forward through the questions changing their answers should they wish.

During the online test there will be a clock on the screen showing how long the candidate has left for each section. If candidates are eligible for extra time (please see Access Arrangements in Entrance Examinations), the extra time will automatically be added to the clock.

We will provide paper and pencils for any working out during the assessment. Pencil cases are not required. Dictionaries, calculators, mobile devices may not be used.  

There is a familiarisation test in the Practice Test section. These questions are intended to demonstrate the style of question, not the content given the adaptive nature of some of the tests.   

In the exceptional circumstance of a network outage during the entrance examinations which would prevent pupils sitting the online tests, pupils will be given paper copies of Maths and English examinations.

Part 2: Creative Writing   

Part 2 is a creative writing task which candidates will handwrite (or type if appropriate).  A specimen paper can be found in the Practice Test section.  It is a 20 minute test of which 5 minutes is planning and 15 minutes is writing.

Selection

The offer of a place at the College is made on the basis of

• the candidate’s performance in the appropriate examination
• an interview
• a reference from the Head of the candidate’s present school

and is subject to the College’s Standard Terms and Conditions.

The Interview

Candidates who show promise in the entrance examinations are invited to attend an interview in January. Our aim is to provide a friendly atmosphere for the interview during which the candidate will be allowed the opportunity to give further evidence of his academic strengths and some indication of interests and abilities with which he might make a contribution to the general life of the College.

Free 11+ Familiarisation Materials

To encourage even greater representation of pupils at Dulwich College, we work in partnership with Atom Learning, the leading online 11+ preparation platform, to provide students who are eligible for Pupil Premium with free 11+ preparation and KS2 learning resources.

Through their Atom Home account, children can access 11+ and KS2 practice questions, learning resources, mock tests and practice papers that will help them build knowledge and confidence ahead of their Dulwich College entrance tests. 

If your child is in Years 3 - 6 and eligible for Pupil Premium, please fill in the form by clicking the button below. They will be given free access to Atom Home when their Pupil Premium status has been verified by their primary school.

Access Free 11+ and Learning Support

Online Test

Examples of the questions you might see in the assessment for each subject.

Familiarisation test

English Creative Writing Task

Specimen paper