Advice 7+ Year 2 Top London Independent Schools: 7+, 8+ & 11+/13+ Entrance Exam Dates Guide 2025 for 2026 Entry

Top London Independent Schools: 7+, 8+ & 11+/13+ Entrance Exam Dates Guide 2025 for 2026 Entry

Written by Louise Lang

Getting your child into London’s top independent schools requires strategic planning and early preparation. With thousands of families competing for limited places, understanding key dates and requirements is essential for success.

Independent School Admissions Timeline: What Parents Need to Know

London’s prestigious independent schools use a structured, multi-stage assessment process for 7+, 8+ and 11+/13+ entry. Most schools follow a similar pattern:

  • October-December: Initial computer-based assessments (ISEB Pretest, Cambridge Select Insight, Quest Assessment); some written papers and practical activities/ group assessment 
  • January-February: Written papers, interviews, practical activities and group assessment
  • March-April: Final decisions and offers

Key Assessment Providers:

  • Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB)
  • Cambridge Select Insight (formerly CEM Select)
  • Quest Assessment
  • Own school exams written in house

Your Complete School-by-School Guide

Below you’ll find essential entrance exam dates and preparation requirements for London’s most sought-after independent schools. We’ve included direct links to our detailed school guides and recommended preparation resources for each school.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Entrance exam dates change annually and schools may update their schedules at short notice. Whilst all dates below were accurate at the time of writing, please verify current dates directly on each school’s official website or contact their admissions office.

Top Independent Schools

Westminster Under and Westminster School

St Paul’s Juniors and St Paul’s School (Boys)

  • 7+ Entry: Stage 1: 22nd November 2025. Stage 2: 25 November – Friday 28 November 2025
  • 8+ Entry: Stage 1: 7th January 2026. Stage 2: Monday 12 – Wednesday 14 January 2026. This is the final 8+ intake. For 2027 entry and beyond, 7+ will be the main entry point. 
  • 11+ Entry: ISEB Pre-test: 1st December. Stage 1: 6th January 2026. Stage 2: 22-27 January 2026.
  • 13+ Entry – take from timeline
  • St Paul’s School Admissions

St Paul’s Girls’ School

Eton College

  • 13+ Entry: Registration by Year 5, entrance process includes tests typically in Spring of Year 6, based on age of child. Eldest are tested from mid Jan, runs to early May for those with summer birthdays. 
  • Eton College Admissions

Harrow School

  • 13+ Entry: Stage 1 ISEB by 30th Nov. Stage 2 Entrance exams typically held from January to March. (The Harrow Test consists of one 20-minute interview with a House Master, a computerised English, Maths, non-verbal reasoning assessment (one hour in total) and a classroom-based group activity (20 minutes). 
  • Admissions – Harrow School

Dulwich College Junior School & Dulwich College

  • 7+ Entry: Stage 1: 29th November 2025. Stage 2: 8th January 2026.
  • 8+ Entry: Stage 1: 29th November 2025. Stage 2: 10th January 2026.
  • 11+ Entry: Stage 1 Entrance Exams (both online Quest and written): 5th December 2025. Stage 2 Interviews: 21-28 January 2026.
  • 13+ Entry: Stage 1 Entrance Exams (both online ISEB Pretest and written): 10 January 2026. Stage 2 Interviews 20 January 2026.
  • Dulwich School Admissions

King’s College Junior School & King’s College, Wimbledon

  • 7+ Entry: Stage 1 Written Exams: 11th October 2025. Stage 2 Activity Morning: 3rd November 2025. Stage 3 Interviews: 4-11 November 2025.
  • 8+ Entry: Stage 1 Written Exams: 10th October 2025. Stage 2 Activity Afternoon: 3rd November 2025. Stage 3 Interviews: 4-11 November 2025.
  • 11+ Entry: Stage 1 Written Exams: 6 December 2025. Stage 2 Interview: 15-17 January 2026.
  • King’s College School Admissions

Highgate School

  • 7+ Entry: Stage 1 Written Exams: 2 December 2025. Stage 2 Interview and Activities: 6-9 January 2026.
  • 8+ Entry: Not offered – only rarely through ‘Occasional Places’.
  • 11+ Entry: Stage 1 Written Exams: 2 December 2025. Stage 2 Interviews: 12-17 January 2026.
  • Highgate School Admissions

University College School (UCS)

  • 7+ Entry: Stage 1 Written Exams: January 2026.
  • 8+ Entry: Stage 1 Written Exams: December 2025. Stage 2 Interviews: January
  • 11+ Entry: Stage 1 Written Exam: 7 January 2026. Stage 2 Interview: Late January 2026.
  • UCS Admissions

City Junior School

City of London School

City of London School for Girls

Francis Holland School (Regent’s Park)

Francis Holland School (Sloane Square)

Latymer Prep School and Latymer Upper School

  • 7+ Entry: Stage 1 Written Exams: 7 January 2026. Stage 2 Interactive Assessment: w/c 19 January 2026.
  • 8+ Entry: Not offered – only through ‘Occasional Places’
  • 11+ Entry: Stage 1 Written Exams: 3 December 2025. Stage 2 Interviews: 7th January 2026.
  • Latymer Upper Admissions

Godolphin and Latymer School

St Helen’s School, Northwood

Hampton School

Lady Eleanor Holles School

  • 7+ Entry: Stage 1 Entrance Exam: 29th November 2025. Stage 2 Activities: 13-14 January 2026.
  • 8+ Entry: Not offered – only ‘Occasional Places’
  • 11+ Entry: Stage 1 ISEB Pre-test: 18-20 November 2025. Stage 2 Entrance Exam: 30 November 2025. Stage 3 Interviews: 27-29 January 2026.
  • LEHS Admissions

Merchant Taylors’ School and Merchant Taylor’s Prep, Northwood

  • 7+ Entry: Stage 1 Entrance Assessments: 19 November 2025.
  • 11+ Entry: Stage 1 Entrance Exams: 29 November and 1 December 2025. Stage 2 Interviews: January 2026.
  • MTS Admissions

North London Collegiate School

South Hampstead School

  • 7+ Entry: Stage 1: 10 October 2025. Stage 2: January 2026.
  • 11+ Entry: Stage 1 Entrance Exam:  28 November, 2 or 4 December 2025. Stage 2 Interviews: January 2026.
  • South Hampstead School Admissions

Haberdashers Girls’ School

  • 7+ Entry: Stage 1 Assessments: 25 November 2025. Stage 2 Assessments: 17 December 2025.
  • 11+ Entry:  Stage 1 Assessments: 19-20 November 2025. Stage 2 Interviews: 13 – 20 January 2026.
  • Habs Girls Admissions

Haberdashers Boys’ School

  • 7+ Entry: Stage 1 Assessments: 21 November 2025. Stage 2 Assessments: 17 December 2025.
  • 11+ Entry: Stage 1 Assessments: 20-21 November 2025. Stage 2 Interviews: 13 – 20 January 2026.
  • Habs Boys Admissions

Trinity School

Wetherby Pembridge Senior

Taking the Next Step

The independent school entrance process can feel overwhelming, with each institution requiring different preparation strategies and practice materials. Success depends not only on understanding the timeline, but also on accessing the right resources tailored to your chosen school’s specific requirements.

Whether your child is preparing for the 7+ assessments at Westminster School, tackling the 11+ Cambridge Insight Select for St Paul’s Girls’ School, or navigating the unique requirements of Eton College’s 13+ entry process, having expert guidance can make all the difference.

Ready to give your child the best possible preparation? Contact us for expert guidance tailored to your chosen schools. Our experienced team knows exactly what each school is looking for and how to get your child there. We’ll give them the right preparation and confidence to walk into any exam knowing they can succeed.

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Author(s)

Louise Lang

Director of Learning

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