Quest Admissions 11+ Exams: Everything Parents Need to Know for Grammar School Entry

Applying to grammar school can feel like a big step, and understanding the entrance exam is one of the most important parts of the process. Some grammar schools use an exam provider known as Quest Admissions for their 11+ exams.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what Quest Admissions 11+ exams involve, which schools use them, what your child can expect on the day, and how you can help them prepare with confidence.

Key takeaways

• Quest Admissions is an 11+ entrance exam used by some grammar schools.
• Children take the exam early in the autumn term in Year 6 (September or early October). 
• The exam might test any combination of English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Schools decide which subjects to assess.
• Quest Admissions 11+ exams are multiple-choice and paper-based. 
• Exam preparation, including tailored exam plans, Quest Admissions 11+ practice papers and progress tracking, is available on Atom Home.

Which grammar schools use Quest Admissions 11+ exams?

So far, the following grammar schools have announced that they will use Quest Admissions for their Year 7 entry exams:

• Devonport High School for Girls
• Plymouth High School for Girls
• Dover Grammar School for Girls

Always check your target schools’ admissions policies for the most up-to-date information.

Quest Admissions 11+ timeline: what to expect and when

Exact dates vary by school, but most grammar schools using Quest Admissions follow a similar timeline. Understanding when each stage happens can help you plan ahead and feel confident you haven’t missed anything important.

Year 4 - 5 (age 9–10)

Most families start structured preparation by now. The content tested in Quest Admissions exams is based on learning up to the end of Year 5. 

If your child’s exam tests verbal reasoning and/or non-verbal reasoning, it’s a good idea to start learning these types of questions now. These subjects aren’t taught at school, so early preparation is key to feeling confident in the exam.

Registration for grammar school entrance tests often opens towards the end of Year 5. Take a look at our school guides to find out the key dates for your child’s target grammar schools.

Year 6 (age 10–11)

Quest Admissions 11+ exams are sat early in the autumn term. Your child might sit the papers on one day or across multiple days, depending on the school. You’ll receive their results in October, so that you can submit your secondary school common application form by 31st October. 

Grammar school offers are made in early March. Always check individual schools’ admissions policies for exact dates and arrangements.

What’s tested on Quest Admissions 11+ exams?

Quest Admissions tests English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Your target grammar school will choose which combination of subjects to assess.

Here’s what each involves.

English

Your child will answer questions on reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and spelling – all familiar elements of the primary English curriculum. Questions are based on skills your child already uses in school, such as reading, understanding meaning, and identifying correct grammar.

The English test might include:

• A reading booklet followed by comprehension questions
• Vocabulary questions (synonyms, antonyms, contextual meaning)
• Grammar and punctuation correction
• Sentence- and word-level reasoning

Maths

Quest maths papers cover Key Stage 2 content up to the end of Year 5. Children may see questions on topics like:

• Arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
• Fractions, decimals and percentages
• Word problems requiring reasoning
• Place value
• Measure and geometry
• Data handling

Verbal reasoning

Verbal reasoning isn’t taught at primary school. Some 11+ exams include verbal reasoning because it assesses how your child thinks and solves problems, rather than what they know. It involves understanding and manipulating words, logic and language patterns.

Typical verbal reasoning content includes:

• Synonyms and antonyms
• Letter and word codes
• Odd-one-out
• Word relationships
• Analogy questions
• Sentence logic
• Cloze (missing word) tasks

Non-verbal reasoning

Like verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning isn’t taught at school. It looks at how your child spots patterns, uses visual logic and understands shapes. It doesn’t rely on language, so it gives children a chance to show their problem-solving skills in a different way.

Typical questions include:

• Sequences and patterns
• Rotation, reflection and symmetry
• Identifying missing shapes
• Solving codes using attributes like shape, size or shading
  

What do Quest Admissions 11+ exams look like?

Quest Admissions 11+ exams are paper-based. Here’s what your child can expect to see.

Question booklet and answer sheet

Each paper comes with a question booklet and a separate answer sheet. Most questions are multiple-choice. Your child will record their answers by drawing a line through the box next to their chosen option.

If they need to change an answer, they can erase it and mark a new one.

Instructions before each paper

Before each test begins, instructions are read aloud so your child knows how to complete the paper and how long they have. They can raise their hand if they have a question.

Varied question styles

The papers include a mix of shorter and longer questions.

• English may include comprehension, vocabulary and grammar questions
• Maths may include arithmetic, problem-solving and reasoning questions
• Verbal and non-verbal reasoning papers include short puzzle-style questions

Working out in the booklet

Your child can use their question booklet to jot down workings or notes. Only answers recorded on the answer sheet are marked.

Timed sections

Each paper has a set time limit. Your child should keep an eye on the clock, attempt all questions, and move on if a question is taking too long.

How do grammar schools use Quest Admissions 11+ results?

Quest Admissions provides the exam papers, but schools control admissions decisions. This means the way results are used will depend on each school. 

Most grammar schools:

1. Mark and standardise scores (a process known as age-standardisation) so children born later in the year aren’t at a disadvantage
2. Rank children by their final Standardised Age Score (SAS)
3. Offer places based on this ranking and their admissions criteria (such as catchment area, looked-after children, or siblings already attending the school)
4. Place additional candidates on a waiting list

How to prepare for Quest Admissions 11+ exams

Preparing well makes a big difference to how confident children feel on test day. Here are some practical ways to support your child in the lead-up to the Quest Admissions 11+ exam.

1. Strengthen skills across all subjects

The Quest Admissions 11+ exam assesses skills in reading, writing, maths and reasoning. The best way to prepare is to keep building strong foundations across all of these areas. 

Encourage your child to:

• Read regularly to develop vocabulary and comprehension
• Practise mental maths and written methods
• Try puzzles and logic activities to boost reasoning
• Ask questions when they don’t understand something at school
  

On Atom, your child can work through a personalised exam plan covering everything they need to know for their 11+ exam.

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2. Build confidence with the exam format

Understanding how the papers work helps children feel more at ease on the day. Practise:

• Working through question booklets
• Recording answers clearly on a separate answer sheet
• Using the booklet space for notes and workings
  

You can help your child develop good time awareness by encouraging them to:

• Keep a steady pace
• Move on if a question feels too difficult
• Return to unanswered questions if they have time at the end
  

Atom’s unlimited 11+ practice papers follow the same multiple-choice format your child will see in their assessment. Simply upload photos of your child’s answer sheets to get them marked automatically. 

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They help children get comfortable with:

• Reading and navigating a paper-style booklet
• Recording answers separately
• Working steadily through a set of questions

Regular exposure to this format helps the experience feel more familiar, which can build confidence on the day.

3. Practise little and often

Short, regular practice is far more effective than long revision sessions. Aim for:

• Small, manageable chunks of learning
• Revisiting tricky topics
• Keeping practice varied and enjoyable
  

Atom helps you understand how your child is doing with detailed progress tracking. You can see at a glance:

• Which topics they’ve mastered
• Where they need more support
• How they compare to others applying to the same schools.

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You’ll also see your child’s Standardised Age Score (SAS) in every practice test. This makes it easier to track progress, celebrate improvements and see if they’re on track to pass the exam.

4. Keep a healthy balance

Children do their best when they feel well-rested and supported. Encourage:

• Plenty of sleep
• Regular breaks between study sessions
• Time for hobbies, friends and exercise
• A calm routine in the days before the assessment
  

A balanced approach helps children stay focused, positive and ready to learn.

5. Build a calm exam-day mindset

A confident mindset makes a big difference on the day. Help your child to:

• Take deep breaths if they feel nervous
• Read each question carefully
• Move on if they feel stuck and return later
• Double-check answers if they have time
  

Remind them that they simply need to try their best. The goal is to show what they can do, not to be perfect.