Exam Information
Exam style: CEM — Bexley Selection Tests
Exam types:
English (comprehension and verbal reasoning)
Mathematics and Problem-Solving (non-verbal reasoning)
Exam length — 2 x 1 hour exams (including introduction).
Pass mark — The pass mark is changes each year. 216 was the selective score for 2020 entry.
Each year, the top 180 children with highest scores are guaranteed a place at their preferred Bexley school. In 2019, the top 180 applicants all scored over 246.
The highest possible score is 280, the lowest is 140.
Other exam information:
There are two papers. One English language skills and the other maths and problem-solving.
Every section of the papers are timed.
The mathematical content of the questions will not go beyond what children are expected to have been taught by the end of Year 5.
The test papers are multiple choice, with the exception of some Maths questions where one answer must be calculated by the child, with answers marked on a separate sheet.
Children will be given a separate age standardised score for each of the three subject areas, verbal ability, numerical ability and non verbal ability, and one total age standardised score that will be used to decide whether the child is selective or not.
The total score is weighted, by adding 50% of the verbal ability score, 25% of the numerical ability score and 25% of the non verbal ability score.
Scores will be standardised.
Exam Dates
2023 — Week beginning Monday 11 September 2023.
Other Important Dates
Next school open days: TBC.
A virtual school open evening can be found here.
Registration opens for the 11+ exams — 1st May 2023.
Closing date for 11+ exams registration (2024 entry) — June 2023.
Closing date for school application (2024 entry) — 31st October 2023 (11:59pm).
About the School
Address — Bexley Grammar School, Danson Lane, Welling, Kent, DA16 2BL.
Type of school — Mixed grammar school.
Headteacher — Mr Stephen Elphick.
Cost — Free.
Pupils in school — 1365.
Places available in year 7 — 192.
Average applicants per place — 8 or more.
Please note, this school is heavily oversubscribed. In 2016, 5685 children sat the Bexley Selection Tests and 1753 were deemed selective.
Catchment area — Bexley Grammar School does have a catchment area but places preference on 11+ test grades. Priority is given based on location and distance from the school, closest first.
Over-subscription policy — Where qualifying applications for admission exceed the number of places available, places will be allocated in the following order of priority:
Applicants who are or have been Looked After Children.
Those children identified by the Local Authority as achieving one of the highest 180 scores in the selection tests.
For applicants with a sibling currently attending Bexley Grammar School at the time of enrolment. A sibling includes full, half, adopted and step brother or sister living at the same address.
Applicants with a parent or registered carer employed by Bexley Grammar School on a permanent contract at the time of application.
Applicants will be admitted on the basis of proximity to the school measured in a straight line from the home address. The distance will be measured by the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system from the gate of the home address to the middle gate entrance approved by the Governors as the official entrance to the school.
Contact information
Website — https://www.bexleygs.co.uk/
Contact — https://www.bexleygs.co.uk/page/?title=Contact+Us&pid=108
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/groups/BexleyGSAlumni/
Facebook (parents page) — https://www.facebook.com/BGS-PA-1520204194910828/?ref=bookmarks
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/bexley-grammar-school/
School Summary
Bexley Grammar School was established in 1955. It was founded by Sir Edward Heath, a Member of Parliament at the time. Bexley is a mixed grammar school in Bexley, South East London. The school specialises in languages, science and mathematics. Bexley became an academy in 2011.
From 2017, the school began offering the International Baccalaureate instead of traditional A-Levels in their Sixth Form.
The school has won many awards including:
High Performing Specialist School
Leading Edge status
The International Award
Healthy Schools status
Investors in People Award
Sportsmark
Artsmark Gold
In 2020, 63.2% of GCSE grades were at grades 9-7 (15.5% at grade 9).
Ofsted rated this school as ‘outstanding’ in 2007. Find their reports here.
Compare this school’s performance with other local schools here.
The Admissions Process
1st May 2023 — Registration opens for the 11+ entry exams.
July 2023 — Closing Date for 11+ test registration (2024 entry).
2nd-5th November 2023 — 11+ entrance tests for 2024 entry.
31st October 2023 (11:59pm) — Closing date to apply to the school for September 2024 entry.
December 2023 — Provisional results of selections 11+ exams.
1st March 2024 — National offer day.
Practice Papers and our recommended approach
Bexley Grammar School does not release any past or practice papers.
The test papers are provided by the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, Cambridge University (CEM). CEM does not publish practice papers specifically for the Bexley Selection Tests.
You can find General CEM Guides below but please note that the Bexley Selection Tests format and questions may be slightly different.
The familiarisation booklets below are designed to inform parents and candidates about the Entrance Test in order to:
• Give a feel for the appearance of the actual assessment.
• Introduce some of the symbols and phrases used in the assessment.
• Inform parents and candidates of the invigilation procedure.
• Indicate the range of disciplines that will be tested.
• Highlight the range of answer formats used in the assessment.
These CEM past papers are designed for your child to use to practice before the exam. Use these papers to help prepare your child for the exam. The timings for each exam section and the answers are provided.
Other past/practice papers and answers for this school can be found here:
Free 11 Plus (11+) Practice Papers and Answers | Bexley Grammar School
You can find out more about how to prepare for the exam on our 11 Plus Exam Help: A Detailed 18 Point Guide page.
We would recommend that you start revision and preparation as early as you can.