The Cedars School 11 Plus (11+) Entrance Exam Information – Key Details 2026

Introduction

 

The Cedars School is an independent day school located in the Upper Norwood area of Croydon. Fostering a Roman Catholic ethos, it caters for boys exclusively in line with the motto In Gaudio Serviamus(May We Serve Joyfully). [1]

 

Underpinning a balanced provision, the curriculum broadly covers a wide range of disciplines, including science, MFL, humanities, DT and art. Boys acquire all-round knowledge thanks to engaging lessons delivered by experienced staff, who impart their wisdom to the cohort, both effectively and constructively. 

 

The variety of in-class activities is coupled with a rich timetable of extras, ranging from gardening, chess and cross-country to drama, debating and Duke of Edinburgh Award. Music plays an important role in Cedar’s community, thus pupils make the most out of the opportunities on offer, currently including orchestra, choir, string ensemble, guitar ensemble and brass ensemble. [2]

 

To maximise the benefits of the educational experience, Cedars champions endeavours that expand the cohort’s abilities well beyond their comfort zone. In return, boys grow in versatility and confidence, accessing adulthood with a maximised capacity for both academic and personal growth.

 

The Cedars School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2026

 

Address: 147 Central Hill, Upper Norwood, SE19 3RS

County: Surrey

Admissions info: enquiries@thecedarsschool.org.uk or 020 8185 7770

School type: Independent day school for boys

Open day: September

11+ Exam date: November of Year 6

 

The Cedars School 11 Plus (11+) Open Events

 

Open Morning is held in September, allowing visitors to get a feel for life on campus and meet members of the teaching and senior staff. The event begins with an address by the Head, during which you will learn more about the school’s educational philosophy. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:

 

 

The Cedars School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions

 

To apply for a place in Year 7 on behalf of your son, you should complete an application form and pay the non-refundable fee of £100. As part of the admissions process, a reference from his current school will be obtained and reviewed. 

 

Entrance exams and interviews take place in November of the year preceding entry. Please note that interviews with parents will also be arranged.

 

Cedars sends out offer letters in February. The acceptance deadline is in March and the acceptance deposit is £750. 

 

The Cedars School 11 Plus (11+) Scholarships and Bursaries

 

Music, Sport and Art Scholarships are available to 11+ applicants. Music awards are typically offered to students who perform at Grade III standard on their principal instrument. 

 

Sports Scholarships are awarded to students who exhibit strong abilities in rugby, football or cricket. Art Scholarships are awarded on the basis of participation in a workshop and the quality of a portfolio. 

 

Bursaries are awarded at the discretion of the Head and cater for prospective pupils from low-income families. Throughout the evaluation procedure, the school will assess your financial circumstances, including gross income, assets, liabilities, etc. Please reach out to the school to learn more.

 

The Cedars School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format 

 

The 11+ exam at The Cedars School consists of the following papers:

 

• English
• Mathematics

 

The English paper focuses on both writing and comprehension skills, including spelling, grammar and inference.

 

The maths exam tests problem-solving and arithmetic skills. The paper will include questions on number, measurement, geometry, algebra and statistics.

 

Please see below for further details and recommendations on how to prepare for The Cedars School 11+ examination.

 

How to Prepare for The Cedars School 11 Plus (11+) Exam

 

Effective preparation is key to doing well in the 11+ exam. Using practice tests allows students to familiarise themselves with the examination format and style in a practical and efficient manner.

 

They cover all the types of questions that pupils will potentially be asked in the 11+ exam. With the help of our practice tests, you will be able to identify your child’s weaknesses, as well as their strengths, allowing you to adjust their study schedule accordingly.

 

Aside from being age-appropriate, our tests reflect the types of questions that frequently appear in independent school entrance exams. Our recommendations to help your child prepare for The Cedars School 11 plus entrance examination can be found below.

 

The Cedars School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Practice Papers

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NOTE: The following English and Mathematics practice tests are in standard format, which means that students need to write in their own answers rather than choose from a list of multiple-choice options. This matches the 11+ Exam format used by the school.

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English

 

To prepare for The Cedars School 11+ English exam, the following practice papers are highly recommended. They help improve comprehension and writing skills, including spelling, vocabulary and inference:

 

Comprehension

11+ English Pack 1

11+ English Pack 2

11+ English Pack 3

11+ English Pack 4

11+ English Pack 5

11+ Inference Skills Pack 1

11+ Inference Skills Pack 2

11+ Poetry Comprehension

11+ Complete Comprehension Guide

11+ Reading Workbook

 

Writing

11+ Complete Writing Guide

11+ Writing Prompts

11+ Rewrite & Improve

11+ Spelling Pack 1

11+ Spelling Pack 2

 

✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended 11+ resources for The Cedars School English exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:

 

11+ English Bundle - Save 30%

 

If you’d like to have your child’s writing assessed and marked, you may be interested in our Writing Marking Service. Please click here to learn more.

 

Mathematics

 

To prepare for The Cedars School 11+ maths paper, the following practice papers will be of great use:

 

Full Practice Tests

11+ Mathematics Pack 1

11+ Mathematics Pack 2

11+ Mathematics Pack 3

11+ Mathematics Pack 4

 

Skill Specific Practice

11+ Problem Solving Pack 1

11+ Problem Solving Pack 2

11+ Mental Arithmetic 

11+ Algebra

11+ Angles & Degrees

11+ BODMAS

11+ Estimation & Place Value

11+ Factors & Multiples

11+ Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

11+ Measurements

11+ Money

11+ Operations

11+ Perimeter, Area & Volume

11+ Position & Direction

11+ Probability

11+ Properties of Shapes

11+ Ratio & Proportion

11+ Reflection, Rotation & Symmetry

11+ Sequences

11+ Special Numbers

11+ Speed, Distance & Time

11+ Statistics

 

✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended 11+ resources for The Cedars School mathematics exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:

 

11+ Mathematics Bundle - Save 30%

 

Don’t forget to use the code eppdiscount at checkout to get 10% off orders over £70 and 20% off orders over £250 if you don’t buy a bundle.

 

 

Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in The Cedars School 11+ past papers. The information provided about The Cedars 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 The Cedars School.