Testing

For entry into Year 7 or 8, the assessment consists of an online computerised test in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, Maths and English, plus a written Maths assessment and a Creative Writing assessment.

The Lower School test and interview process typically takes place in the Spring Term prior to entry in the following September.

The majority of pupils applying for a place at Uppingham sit pre-tests in September to December of Year 7.

Our pre-tests are provided by Quest. The pre-tests comprise a series of remote online assessments that include fifteen minutes each of verbal and non-verbal reasoning and thirty minutes of both maths and English. Ordinarily the online assessments would be completed at a candidate's current school but if this is not possible they do so at a solicitor's office, via an approved agent or at a recognised independent examination centre (e.g British Council). 

Quest provide their own parent guidance, as well as a Familiarisation Assessment that allows the candidate to get more familiar with tests so that they feel confident and prepared. These can be accessed here. Please be aware that we only use the Maths, English, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections.

Interview and Extended Writing Task

Candidates also undertake a twenty-minute interview with a member of Uppingham staff. The order of the interview and online assessments is not important and there is no problem for the two to be separated by some weeks.

Pupils also need to complete a thirty-minute extended writing task, either at Uppingham School, when attending for interview, or separately, as required.

For overseas candidates facing considerable travel to attend the school for the interview and written assessment, it is possible to sit this element remotely. If remote assessment is required, parents should arrange alternative invigilation at one of the following: their child’s current school, a solicitor’s office, an approved agent or a recognised independent examination centre (e.g. British Council). Unless there are extenuating circumstances, we are not able to offer remote testing supervised by our own staff. Interviews, if not taken in person at Uppingham, can take place either from home or from school via Microsoft Teams and are arranged individually.

All candidates taking part in our Year 7 13+ - Pre-tests need to be registered in advance of arranging assessments. Please complete our Registration Form, after which the ‘Pre-Test Route Form’ should be completed and ideally by 30 September 2025. This form will also be emailed when registration is acknowledged and when invitations are sent to families already registered from April of Year 6.

Any application should also be supported by a reference from the candidate's current school and we seek your permission to be able to request this.

There is a sample extended writing paper available on request from [email protected].

Any offer made in Year 7, remains conditional on passing another test in Year 8 and these details follow.

Prospective pupils at prep-schools that offer common entrance are required to sit these exams in Year 8. The School expects a 55% average pass mark. 

Pupils from schools that do not offer common entrance, fulfil their offer by sitting Uppingham’s non-common entrance papers. These comprise two tests in Maths (40 minutes) and English comprehension (40 minutes). These tests typically take place by individual arrangement in February or March, prior to entry in September. The non-common entrance papers are normally sat at Uppingham and are accompanied by an interview with a houseparent. It is also possible, when required, to arrange for these tests to be sat remotely overseas.

Some candidates fulfil the condition in their offer by sitting our academic scholarship examination. Uppingham's academic scholarship is covered separately.

An updated reference from the current school is also required during the course of Year 8. 

We often have places available for entry in Year 10. Families might apply for these from September of Year 9. Successful pupils could consider starting in April (or even January) of Year 9.

The configuration of the boys’ houses means that there are several spaces available for boys who might seek to join us for one year only. Such candidates would visit, register and test in the course of Year 9. Occasionally similar places may also be available for girls.

The tests for entry at this stage comprise papers in Maths (60 minutes) and English (a comprehension of 40 minutes). Candidates not taught in English would write an essay rather than complete a comprehension test. It is possible, when required, to arrange for these tests to be sat overseas.

There is also an interview with the Deputy Head (Academic) and a meeting with a houseparent.

A reference from the current school is required.

All candidates for entry at 16+ follow either our Sixth Form ‘Test and Interview’ process or take the Sixth Form Scholarship Examinations. The ‘Test and Interview’ procedure involves three tests: Mathematics (30 minutes, calculator permitted), English (45 minutes, essay based) and a chosen subject from Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Economics, French, Geography, History, Latin, Music, Physics, RS and Spanish. Chosen subject papers are 45 minutes, except for Art that is assessed by portfolio interview. Native speakers should not sit their own language paper. Please note that we do not provide past, or sample, papers.

The standard Uppingham Maths and English tests are sat by all candidates for Sixth Form entry whether applying via Test and Interview or Scholarship, and candidates taking a Sports Scholarship will also sit a chosen subject paper.

For overseas candidates facing considerable travel to attend the school for the interview and written assessment, it is possible to complete the assessments remotely. This also includes scholarship assessments, with the general exception of the Sports Scholarship. If remote assessment is required, parents should arrange alternative invigilation at one of the following: their child’s current school, a solicitor’s office,  an approved agent or a recognised independent examination centre (e.g. British Council). We are not able to offer remote testing supervised by our own staff. Interviews, if not taken in person at Uppingham, can take place either from home or from school via Microsoft Teams and are arranged individually.

Sixth Form Test and Interview Process Dates:

Candidates should select a ‘Test and Interview’ exam session (in person or remotely) on the following dates:

Friday 10 October 2025

Monday 3 November 2025

Wednesday 5 November 2025

All candidates taking part in our Sixth Form process need to be registered in advance of arranging assessments. Please complete our Registration Form, after which the ‘Sixth Form Route Form’ should be completed no later than 30 September 2025 to clarify which route will be taken.

We will then be in touch with further details regarding dates and timings once the assessment schedules are confirmed.

Regardless of the means of entry it is our practice to approach a candidate’s current school for a confidential report before the interview, although we will not do so until we have your permission. 

All candidates face at least one interview with a senior member of staff. The interview aims to establish the candidate’s enthusiasm and to explore their academic suitability for A levels at Uppingham.

For all candidates:

Offers of places will be communicated on 1 December 2025 and, if applicable, for candidates taking GCSEs, offers remain conditional on achieving at least three passes of grade 7 (or A) and three passes of grade 6 (or B)  in academic subjects at GCSE (or equivalent), excluding short-course GCSEs. We shall be asking for acceptance by 8 December 2025.

We anticipate that there will be about 30 places available for boarding girls and 20 for boarding boys and 15 places available to day girls and day boys entering at Sixth Form level.