The two Tiffin Schools — Tiffin School (boys) and The Tiffin Girls' School — sit close together in Kingston upon Thames, and both rank among the most academically successful state grammars in England. They are also two of the most heavily oversubscribed selective schools in the country, so a place is won on a combination of a strong test performance and, increasingly, on where a family lives. This guide explains exactly how the entry process works, what the tests contain, how competitive the numbers really are, and how to build a calm, effective preparation plan across Year 5.
How the Tiffin entry test works
Both schools run a two-stage selection process, administered jointly by a shared admissions team. Children sit Stage 1 in September of Year 6; only those who reach the required standard are invited back for Stage 2. The stages broadly break down as follows:
- Stage 1 — an English and maths assessment used to shortlist candidates. It is tightly timed and covers reading comprehension, vocabulary, and the full Key Stage 2 maths curriculum.
- Stage 2 — a longer reasoning-led paper, including Verbal Reasoning (VR) and Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR), sat by the shortlisted group.
Tiffin uses its own bespoke papers rather than an off-the-shelf single-provider test. Since the separate CEM 11+ tests were phased out around 2022–2023, most selective schools have moved to GL Assessment or to bespoke consortium papers, and the current Tiffin format reflects that post-CEM landscape. In practice this means the safest preparation is broad: strong reading, secure arithmetic, and confident, fast reasoning rather than drilling one narrow question bank. Always check the current admissions arrangements on each school's own website, as timings and paper structure are reviewed year to year.
Numbers and competition
Both schools admit large Year 7 cohorts but attract several times as many applicants, which is why the qualifying bar is high. As a rough guide to scale:
| School | Year 7 places (approx.) | Applicants (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tiffin School (boys) | 140 | ~2,300 |
| The Tiffin Girls' School | 180 | ~2,500 |
Treat these figures as indicative of competitiveness rather than exact, current statistics — published numbers shift each admissions round. The headline point stands: a well-prepared child needs both a genuinely strong test result and, in most years, a home address close enough to fall inside the offer distance.
Catchment rules — the change families miss
Both Tiffin Schools now use distance-based admissions after a qualifying score. This is the single most misunderstood part of the process. Reaching the qualifying standard does not guarantee a place; it makes a child eligible. Offers are then made to the eligible applicants who live nearest the school, measured in a straight line. In recent years the effective cut-off distance for Tiffin School was around 1.5 miles, though the exact catchment moves each year with cohort size and the spread of qualifiers. Families living further out should plan realistically and always name strong back-up schools on the local authority form.
What to prioritise in preparation
Because the tests reward breadth and speed, the highest-value work is consistent and started early. Focus on:
- Wide reading. Tiffin English papers reward broad vocabulary and unusual word knowledge; a child who reads challenging fiction and non-fiction daily builds this naturally.
- Secure, quick maths. Master times tables, fractions, percentages, ratio and multi-step word problems so arithmetic is automatic under time pressure.
- Reasoning fluency. Practise VR and NVR little and often from early Year 5 so pattern-spotting becomes fast and instinctive.
- Full mock exams. Sit at least six timed, two-stage mocks in the spring and summer before the test to build stamina and exam technique.
Quest Arena's centre-specific library includes Tiffin Boys and Tiffin Girls mock packs, and every set is free with no sign-up or email capture. You can pair these with the free worksheets to close specific gaps, then use full mock papers for timed rehearsal. The revision hub helps you turn each mock result into a targeted plan rather than more undirected practice.
A sensible timeline
Aim to spread preparation over roughly 12 to 18 months rather than cramming. A "little and often" routine — short, focused sessions most days — beats long weekend marathons and protects a child's motivation. Introduce timed conditions gradually from the spring of Year 5, and reserve the summer before Year 6 for full mock exams under realistic timing. If you are comparing Tiffin with other Kingston, Sutton or Barnet grammars, the Quest Arena grammar school directory and the 11+ process guide explain how each area's rules differ. Keep an eye on the key dates so registration deadlines never slip.
Frequently asked questions
Do the boys' and girls' schools use the same test?
They run the same two-stage structure through a shared admissions team, with English and maths at Stage 1 and reasoning at Stage 2. The papers are set separately for each school, so prepare across all four skill areas rather than assuming one identical exam.
Is a high score enough to get an offer?
No. A qualifying score only makes a child eligible. Both schools then offer places to the nearest eligible applicants, so distance from the school is decisive in most years. Always list strong alternative schools on your local authority application.
Does Tiffin still use the CEM test?
The separate CEM 11+ tests were largely phased out around 2022–2023. Tiffin uses its own bespoke papers, so prepare for broad, well-rounded English, maths and reasoning rather than a single named provider's format. Check the school's current admissions page each year for the latest details.