Merchant Taylors’ School (MTS) 11 Plus (11+) Exam 2026, Year 7 Entry – Key Details

Introduction

Merchant Taylors’ School (MTS) is an independent school for boys in Northwood, in the Three Rivers district of Hertfordshire. Occupying a 285-acre campus, it was founded in 1561 and has educated an impressive number of notable alumni. Following the merger with Northwood Prep in 2015, MTS features a Prep Department, which makes it an all-through school from the ages 3–18. [1]

Proud of its rich and esteemed tradition lasting over 450 years, Taylors’ offers a broad curriculum that’s characterised by variety, targeting individual needs and promoting intellectual development in parallel with self-discipline and resourcefulness. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves in the process of surpassing their potential, gaining wide in-school recognition for their consistently strong achievements across a plethora of disciplines, including humanities, computing, science and languages.

To maximise their social conscience and awareness of their own abilities, MTS provides boys with a rich selection of extracurriculars, ranging from Afro Caribbean Society, choir and rowing to Astrophysics Club, chess and debating. Furthermore, being a strong supporter of outdoor education programmes, the school instils in boys a love of nature through fun and engaging opportunities which include kayaking, sailing and mountain biking. [2]

MTS publishes a number of publications throughout the year, including GeoMag, the school’s own geographical magazine, and Concordia, the magazine of the alumni. This exceptional school also provides a comprehensive PSHCE and well-being curriculum, aimed at improving children’s mental health, emotional agility and their overall welfare. [3]

Benefitting from strong staff backing and numerous resources in the form of apps, websites, articles and support organisations, pupils deal with problems with ease, knowing that the school, in collaboration with parents, safeguards them on their path to adulthood. Their progress is closely monitored and meticulously cared for, thus they develop at their own pace and gravitate towards maximising their unique strengths instead of conforming to established expectations. 

Open Events for Merchant Taylors’ School (MTS) 11 Plus (11+) Entry

Prospective parents are encouraged to visit the school with their son prior to registering for entry. Open mornings are held in September and May, typically consisting of guided tours of facilities and meetings with key members of staff. Places can be reserved via this online booking form. Personal tours can be arranged through the Admissions Department. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:

Merchant Taylors’ School (MTS) 11 Plus (11+) Admissions

In order to be considered for a place at Taylors’, your son should be registered with the school first. An online registration form is available on the school’s website and the deadline for registration is in late October of the year preceding entry. The online form should be submitted together with a digital copy of your son’s birth certificate and passport, as well as a payment of a £100 non-refundable registration fee.

11 plus entry at Merchant Taylors’ School is based upon a report from your child’s current school and his performance in entrance exams and individual interview, attended by applicants who meet the required standard in the exams. Held in late January / early February, the individual interview allows staff to find out more about your son’s interests, personal qualities and aptitudes.

Please note that, if a place is offered, you will be asked to secure it with a payment of a £1,050 deposit. 

Merchant Taylors’ School (MTS) 11 Plus (11+) Scholarships and Bursaries

A limited number of means-tested bursaries are available and at least five significant Academic Scholarships and five minor Academic Exhibitions are awarded at 11+ based on performance throughout the assessment process. Scholarships are also awarded for Sports, Drama, DT, Art and Music, as well as all-round ability. 

Academic Scholarships are worth a minimum of 10% of the school fees, while Academic Exhibitions are worth a maximum of the same amount. All-rounder Scholarships are valued similarly to Academic Scholarships. 

Sports Scholarship applicants will be rewarded on the basis of practical assessment, including rugby, hockey and cricket, as well as appropriate fitness tests. 

Music scholarships include free instrumental and/or singing tuition on two instruments or instrument and voice. The minimum standard is Grade 5 on the first instrument and the evaluation process includes an audition and interview. 

Drama scholarships are awarded on the basis of a monologue and all applicants will be asked to discuss the reason why they chose the piece. Art scholars are evaluated on the basis of a portfolio and scholars will be expected to continue with the subject at least to GCSE level.

Design Technology scholarships are awarded to applicants with aptitude in design, technology or engineering. Candidates will be asked to bring images or practical work as evidence of their interest in the field.

Bursaries provide support in cases when boys pass entrance examinations and interview and are offered a place, but cannot afford to pay the school fees, in full or in part, due to financial circumstances. They are means tested and awarded after the College’s bursary committee takes into account your income and assets. 

The value of bursary awards is reviewed each year. They typically range from 10–100% of fees, with the majority of awards being between 75–100%. Means-tested support may be available for trips and other enrichment activities, as well. More details are available here. 

How to Prepare for the Merchant Taylors’ School 11 Plus Exam

One of the best ways of preparing for competitive entrance exams is to use practice papers. These help students to familiarise themselves with the format and question types they will encounter in the actual test in an efficient and effective manner. They also provide an excellent opportunity for students to practise working under time pressure.

Our practice papers, which are available for immediate download, print and use after purchase, offer excellent practice and preparation for the Merchant Taylors’ School entrance exam. They cover all the key skills and can be used to identify any weaker areas that require additional work ahead of the exam and to help build confidence.

Our 11+ practice papers are thoroughly researched and up to date. Every year, they are used successfully by tens of thousands of students targeting schools with a competitive entrance exam. They are designed to be age appropriate but challenging, to reflect the demands of such an exam.

Merchant Taylors’ School (MTS) 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores

Pupils who are able to score 80%+ consistently in our 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the Merchant Taylors’ School 11+ test.

Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the MTS 11+ exam.

Don’t worry if your child is not scoring well in our practice papers from the outset. With targeted practice and focus, it’s possible to make big improvements in a short amount of time!

Merchant Taylors’ School (MTS) 11 Plus (11+) Exam Practice Papers

Merchant Taylors’ School 11+ Online Practice Tests

Our Merchant Taylors’ School 11+ Online Entrance Assessment Practice Tests are available on our other website, Pretest Plus, and provide realistic and highly accurate preparation for the actual exam. Each full mock test replicates the modules, timings and question types used in the real assessment, ensuring your child becomes familiar with the format and expectations. Covering Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning, these tests are all pitched at the same difficulty level, allowing you to benchmark your child’s progress, track improvement and identify key areas for further practice.

11+ Merchant Taylors’ School Practice Test 1

11+ Merchant Taylors’ School Practice Test 2

11+ Merchant Taylors’ School Practice Test 3

11+ Merchant Taylors’ School Practice Test 4

✂️ Save 20% by purchasing our Merchant Taylors’ School 11+ Practice Tests Bundle. Click the button below to learn more:

Merchant Taylors’ School 11+ Skill Practice

Our Skill Practice exercises are designed to focus on one specific question type that will come up in the Merchant Taylors’ School 11+ exam. They are ideal for targeted practice and an efficient way to quickly improve your child’s scores in the relevant topic.

11+ Merchant Taylors’ School Mathematics

Merchant Taylors’ School Practice Papers

 

Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in Merchant Taylors’ School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Merchant Taylors’ School is believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the article.

 

Please note that Exam Papers Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and resources, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Merchant Taylors’ School.

 

Other entry points for Merchant Taylors’ School:

 

Click here to learn about Year 3 entry via the 7 Plus (7+) Exam

Click here to learn about Year 4 entry via the 8 Plus (8+) Exam

Click here to learn about Year 9 entry via the 13 Plus (13+) Exam