University College School (UCS) 16 Plus (16+) Entrance Exam Information
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Table of Contents
Introduction
University College School, better known as UCS, is an independent day school in Hampstead, London. It was established in 1830 by University College London and nurtures its progressive educational philosophy till this day. UCS’ list of notable alumni features many esteemed personalities, including a Nobel Prize winner and a (former) New Zealand Premier. [1]
School life in Sixth Form is grounded in ambition and synergy, underpinning a vibrant community that benefits from exemplary academic provision and effective teaching. A vast majority of leavers continue their education at Russell Group universities, while roughly 15% gain places at Oxford or Cambridge.
The rigorous learning at UCS is enriched by a broad activities programme, comprising clubs and societies that allow students to network and form lasting friendships. Coding, Gender Politics, Art History, Creative Writing and Medical Ethics Society are some of its most popular features.
The school’s music and drama provision is also of an exceptionally high standard, catering for the cohort’s creative potential by encouraging them to direct a production or participate in concert programmes. [2]
Pastoral staff successfully address students’ appetites for independent decision-making, allowing them to build character and acquire a sense of responsibility for their actions through careful and meticulous guidance. The educational experience in general is holistic in its essence, tackling the needs of the whole person but emphasising intellectual development and academic prowess as its main priority.
University College School (UCS) 16 Plus (16+) Exam Information
Address: Frognal, Hampstead, London NW3 6XH
County: Greater London
Admissions info: ssadmissions@ucs.org.uk or 020 7433 2117/ 2118
School type: Independent day school
Open day: June
16+ Exam date: October of Year 11
16+ Exam type / Board: School’s own
Open Events for University College School (UCS) 16 Plus (16+) Entry
16+ Open Evenings take place in September, welcoming visitors for self-guided tours of the campus and a range of further activities. The events typically commence with an address from the Head, teachers and current pupils. Private tours, lasting approximately 40 minutes, can also be booked. These typically conclude with meetings with members of the Admissions Team. More details are available on this page.
University College School (UCS) 16 Plus (16+) Admissions
The deadline for 16+ applications is in late September of the year preceding entry. The examinations take place the following month. If students perform well, they will be invited to attend an interview in November,
Prior to offering a place, the school will also take the quality of current school reports into account. Subject to meeting all criteria, 16+ applicants will receive an offer in December. The acceptance deposit is £3,500.
University College School (UCS) 16 Plus (16+) Scholarships and Bursaries
UCS offers Music Scholarships to 16+ applicants. Auditions are held to establish applicants’ level of ability and, subject to successful performance, the award will be applied together with a 10–25% reduction in fees (up to 50% in exceptional cases).
Music Scholarships can be coupled with a bursary (fee assistance) and cover up to 100% of fees. Please reach out to the school to learn more.
University College School (UCS) 16 Plus (16+) Exam Format
The University College School 16+ exam consists of the following papers:
- English writing (essay)
- Mathematics (problem solving)
- Reasoning (multiple-choice)
The English paper examines writing skills. Marks will be awarded for good use of imagination, creativity, form, purpose, organisation, cohesion and sentence structure.
The Maths exam assesses problem-solving abilities at an age-appropriate level.
Please see below for further details and recommendations on how to prepare for the University College School 16+ entrance examination.
How to Prepare for the University College School (UCS) 16 Plus (16+) Exam
Consisting of thoroughly researched and up to date questions, our practice tests successfully reflect the actual 16+ exam. They offer a methodical approach towards 16+ exam preparation which can help identify the weak areas in a student’s knowledge base.
Aside from identifying potential weaknesses, our practice papers help students recognise their strengths, and thus enable them to adjust their study schedule accordingly.
The preparation process should become a little less demanding with a carefully thought-out revision plan that focuses on studying ‘little and often’.
Reflecting the demands of a competitive entrance exam, our recommendations to help students prepare for the University College School 16 plus entrance examination can be found below.
University College School (UCS) 16 Plus (16+) Practice Exam Papers
Recommendations for each section of the UCS 16 Plus exam can be found below:
English writing
To prepare for the UCS 16+ English paper, we would highly recommend using the following practice papers:
Mathematics
The following packs help develop problem-solving skills within the examination context of the UCS 16+ maths paper:
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Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions were included in University College School (UCS) 16+ past papers. The information provided about University College School (UCS) was 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 post.
Other entry points for University College 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 7 entry via the 11 Plus (11+) Exam
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