Boarding schools split into two camps: those that take pupils at 11+ (less common, but growing) and those that only admit at 13+ through the traditional Common Entrance or pre-test route. If you are weighing up boarding for your child, the first thing to understand is that the boarding world runs on a different timetable and a different set of assessments from state grammar schools, even though the underlying skills your child needs to show overlap almost completely. This guide maps out how 11+ boarding entry actually works, what schools test, what it costs, and how to prepare without paying for a single practice paper.
The two entry points: 11+ versus 13+
Most historic boarding schools were built around a 13+ intake, feeding from prep schools that keep children until Year 8. That is why famous names like Eton, Harrow, Winchester and Rugby still take the bulk of their pupils at 13+. But a large number of schools now run a parallel 11+ gateway so families who do not want a separate prep-school move at 13 can settle their child once. If your child is happy and thriving, an 11+ boarding place means one transition rather than two.
The trade-off is intake size. Where a school offers both, the 11+ cohort is usually smaller, so places are tighter and the score bar can be higher. Decide early which door you are aiming for, because it changes when you register, which test your child sits, and how you prepare.
Schools that take 11+ direct entry
- Cheltenham College — an established 11+ entry point running alongside 13+.
- Wycombe Abbey (girls) — 11+ entry through a bespoke test and assessment day.
- Tonbridge School — 11+ entry with a smaller intake than the main 13+ cohort.
- Marlborough College — limited 11+ places.
- Sherborne School (boys) and Sherborne Girls' — both offer an 11+ entry option.
Schools that are mainly 13+ only
- Eton College, Harrow School, Winchester College and Rugby School — 13+ pathways.
- Charterhouse — predominantly 13+.
- Stowe — mainly 13+, with some 11+ places.
What the 11+ boarding assessment involves
Independent boarding schools do not use a single national paper. Many senior independents use the ISEB Common Pre-Test, an online, adaptive assessment covering English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning that a child sits once and shares across several registered schools. Others set their own bespoke written papers. Either way, a boarding assessment typically layers extra stages on top of the academic test:
- Written or online papers in English and Maths, often with a reasoning element. These test the same core skills as the state 11+, so the same practice applies.
- An interview with house staff or the head, focused as much on character, curiosity and social fit as on marks.
- An assessment day or overnight stay so staff can see how your child settles away from home.
- A reference from the current school covering academic progress and personality.
Because the academic papers mirror the four familiar skill areas, you can prepare with the same material grammar-school families use. Quest Arena's free worksheets and timed mock papers cover English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, so your child walks into a boarding assessment already fluent in every question type they will meet.
How boarding entry compares with the state 11+
Parents often assume boarding entry is a wholly separate universe. In practice the overlap is large. The table below sets the two side by side.
| Feature | State grammar 11+ | Boarding / independent 11+ |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | GL Assessment (dominant), CSSE in Essex, some bespoke consortium papers | ISEB Common Pre-Test or the school's own bespoke papers |
| Format | Multiple-choice, tightly timed, no calculator | Online adaptive or written, plus interview |
| Cost of place | Free (state funded) | Fees, offset by scholarships and bursaries |
| Extra stages | None beyond the test | Interview, assessment day, school reference |
| Skills tested | English, Maths, VR, NVR | English, Maths, VR, NVR |
One important currency note: the old CEM 11+ paper tests were discontinued around 2022–2023, and most regions that once used them have migrated to GL Assessment or bespoke papers. So if you are also considering a state grammar as a backstop, prepare for the live provider in your area rather than an obsolete format. Our GL practice papers and exam guides keep to what is actually set today.
The financial picture
Full boarding fees in 2026 typically sit in the region of £40,000–£55,000 per year, with weekly boarding (Monday to Friday) often around £35,000–£45,000. These figures vary widely by school and region, so always check the school's own published fees. Scholarships (awarded for academic, musical, sporting or all-round merit) and means-tested bursaries can reduce the cost substantially, but both are heavily oversubscribed and usually require an early, separate application. If cost is a deciding factor, ask each school for its bursary criteria and the realistic proportion of pupils receiving support before you invest in the assessment process.
Weekly, flexi and full boarding
Boarding is not all-or-nothing. Many families new to it choose weekly boarding, where the child is at school Monday to Friday and home at weekends, as a gentler introduction. Some schools offer flexi-boarding (one to three nights a week), often reserved for the youngest year groups, letting a child dip in before committing. Full boarding, with weekends on site and a busy programme of activities, suits families who live far away or want the complete immersive experience. Match the pattern to your child's temperament and your travel distance rather than to prestige.
Questions to settle before you apply
- Does your child actually want to board? An honest answer matters more than any league table.
- How far is the school? Around 90 minutes is the practical limit for many families for exeats and matches.
- What is the pastoral reputation? Look past academic rankings to how the school looks after homesick or struggling children.
- Is a bursary realistic? Register interest early and gather your financial evidence in good time.
- What is your backup? Keeping a state grammar or another school in play protects your child if a competitive boarding place does not come through.
If you want to build a broader picture of the selective landscape, our grammar school directory and the 11+ process guide are useful companions, and the key dates page will help you line up any state applications you run in parallel.
Frequently asked questions
Is it harder to get in at 11+ than 13+?
Not necessarily harder, but often more competitive, because schools that offer both usually take a smaller cohort at 11+. The academic bar can be higher and places fewer, so strong, well-timed preparation matters. The upside is a single, settled transition rather than a second move at 13.
Do boarding schools use the GL Assessment 11+?
Generally no. State grammars lean heavily on GL, but independent boarding schools tend to use the ISEB Common Pre-Test or their own bespoke papers, plus an interview and assessment day. The skills tested — English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning — are the same, so practice transfers directly.
Can we prepare for free?
Yes. Every question type a boarding assessment throws at your child appears in Quest Arena's free worksheets and mocks. There is no paywall, so you can benchmark your child against timed conditions and target weak areas without paying for practice papers. Pair that with the school's own past-paper guidance and you have a complete, no-cost prep plan.