What is changing in the Gloucestershire 11+?

From September 2028 entry the seven grammar schools use an FSCE test instead of GL. It is sat on Saturday 3 July 2027, in the summer term of Year 5, not in September of Year 6.

Three papers in any order, each typically 45 to 60 minutes: Adventure (English and maths, multiple choice), Beacon (English and maths, short written answers) and Compass (questions across KS2 subjects, multiple choice).

Is there non-verbal reasoning?

No. FSCE does not test non-verbal reasoning, as it is not part of the KS2 curriculum.

The new Gloucestershire 11+

For September 2028 entry. From the FSCE guides, read on 26 October 2026.

Paper	What	Answers
Adventure	English and maths	Multiple choice
Beacon	English and maths	Short written answers: a number, or a word in capital letters
Compass	Questions across KS2 subjects, from art and design to science	Multiple choice

One test day for all seven schools. Each paper typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Question counts are not published, and the content changes every year.

What is tested

KS2 learning up to the end of Year 5, applied to new situations. No non-verbal reasoning.

Shared by Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham; Denmark Road High School, Gloucester; Ribston Hall High School, Gloucester; Sir Thomas Rich's School, Gloucester; The Crypt School, Gloucester; Marling School, Stroud; Stroud High School, Stroud.

Pate's Grammar School: Year 7 entry in September 2028

An independent course with original questions. Not affiliated with FSCE or the Gloucestershire grammar schools.

Preparing for the Gloucestershire 11+?

Try a question in the style of each paper in the free first lesson.

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