Cardiff Sixth Form College: 16 Plus (16+)/Year 12 Entry for A-Levels, and 14 Plus (14+) and 15 Plus (15+)/Years 10-11 for GCSEs

Introduction

 

Cardiff Sixth Form College (CSFC) is a co-educational boarding establishment for GCSE and A-Level students who are ambitious and want to secure a place at a top university. The College has an excellent academic reputation but still constantly strives to find ways to make the education it offers even better. Unsurprisingly, CSFC has won many awards, such as the Independent Schools Association Senior School of the Year 2022 and the Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance Wales 2024. 

 

The College’s results speak for themselves: in 2023, a staggering 84.1% of GCSE grades were in the 9-7 range, and 94.7% of A-Level results were A* or A! This is down to, amongst other things, the superb standard of teaching, the number of teaching hours students have and the first-class resources. Recent university destinations include Imperial College London, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, New York University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

 

Committed to producing well-rounded young adults, CSFC has an extensive extra-curricular programme. Getting involved in clubs and activities enables students to develop their existing skills and discover new talents. Available clubs and activities include photography, meditation, cooking, engineering and chess. In addition to this, the College holds popular social events, e.g. Christmas balls, graduation balls, meals out and cinema evenings, to name but a few.

 

Pastoral care is taken very seriously at CSFC. In PSE lessons, students study a series of wellness modules. Learning about how to maintain positive mental health and how to have healthy relationships helps pupils to thrive. Furthermore, each student belongs to a House, and the Head of their House will work hard to ensure they are feeling happy and safe.

 

Cardiff Sixth Form College: Contact Details 

 

Address: 1-3 Trinity Court, 21-27 Newport Road, CF24 0AA

County: Cardiff

Admissions: admissions@ccoex.com or  (+44) 029 2049 3121

School type: Independent co-educational boarding school for GCSE and A-Level students

Entrance exams: Written papers, CAT4 online assessment and interview

 

 

Cardiff Sixth Form College: Entry Requirements and Exams for Year 12 (A-Level) Entry and Years 10-11 (GCSE) Entry

 

GCSE Entry: 

 

At Cardiff Sixth Form College, students can take one-year GCSE courses (15+ entry) or two-year GCSE courses (14+ entry). All students applying to do GCSEs at CSFC will sit written entrance exams in English and maths, do an online reasoning test and be interviewed. The online reasoning test is the CAT4 (cognitive abilities test), which is set by GL Assessment. 

 

International students who are applying for one-year GCSE courses will also need IELTS 5.5 (please register for this test at your local British Council office or through your agent).

 

A-Level Entry – UK Students:

 

Candidates applying to do A-Levels at CSFC as day students will sit exams in all the four subjects that they want to take for A-Level (for scholarship candidates, one of these will be a scholarship exam). They will also sit the CAT4 (an online reasoning test) and be interviewed. Additionally, they will need at least six GCSEs/IGCSEs at grade 8/9, which must include the subjects they wish to take at A-Level.

 

A-Level Entry – International Students

 

International students applying to do A-Levels at CSFC will also need to take exams in all the four subjects they want to study at A-Level (these will all be scholarship exams for candidates applying for a scholarship), sit the CAT4 and be interviewed. In addition to this, there is a requirement that applicants achieve IELTS 6.5 to be considered for a place in Year 12.

 

Cardiff Sixth Form College: Admissions Process for Year 12 (A-Level) Entry and Years 10-11 (GCSE) Entry

 

It is best to start the admissions process by visiting the College. This will enable you to explore the campus, ask questions about the subjects you are interested in and find out more about how to apply. You can visit on an Open Day or arrange an individual visit. To do this, you should fill out the relevant form. It is even possible for a representative from CSFC to come and visit you if you cannot get to them! Please click here for more information.

 

If you decide the College is the right place for you, and do bear in mind that you need to be confident you can meet their high academic standards, you should fill out the application form, which includes paying a non-refundable registration fee.

 

Candidates will then take the entrance tests, as outlined in the previous section, and be interviewed. Please be aware that reports from your current school will also be requested and be reviewed as part of the admissions process.

 

Any offers made before GCSE or IELTS results are known (where applicable) will be conditional. If you receive an offer, you need to ensure you fill out the acceptance form and pay the acceptance fee before the deadline. 

 

A guardian will need to be appointed for you if you are an international student. A list of guardianship agencies can be found here. 

 

Cardiff Sixth Form College: Scholarships for A-Level Students

 

There are a limited number of scholarships available for candidates applying to study A-Levels at CSFC, but no scholarships are available for GCSE students.

 

Day students who are awarded a scholarship will have typically achieved nine GCSEs/IGCSEs at grade 8/9. They will also have performed exceptionally well in the written entrance exams, their scholarship exam, the CAT4 and the interview. Furthermore, their school reports and application letter will have been deemed to be of a high standard. Scholarships for day students are worth up to 100% of the tuition fees.

 

International students who are awarded a scholarship will have performed well in their scholarship exams (taken instead of the entrance exams), the CAT4 and the interview. They will also have exemplary school reports. Scholarships for international students are worth up to 50% of the tuition fees. 

 

 

Cardiff Sixth Form College: CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) GL Assessment Format 

 

The CAT4, set by GL Assessment, consists of multiple-choice questions that cover Verbal reasoning, Non-Verbal reasoning, Quantitative reasoning and Spatial reasoning. 

 

• The Verbal reasoning questions assess your ability to solve problems using words.

 

• The Non-Verbal reasoning questions assess your ability to solve problems by analysing visual information.

 

• The Quantitative reasoning questions assess your ability to solve problems using numbers.

 

• The Spatial reasoning questions assess your ability to understand how objects can move in a three-dimensional world. 

 

For entry to CSFC, the CAT4 is taken online.

 

Candidates applying to do GCSE courses at CSFC will take Level F of the CAT4, and candidates applying to do A-Level courses will take Level G.

 

Nobody is disadvantaged by their age when they sit the test because scores are adjusted according to age, i.e. age-standardised scores are used.

 

 

How to Prepare for the Cardiff Sixth Form College CAT4 GL Assessment

 

At Exam Papers Plus, we believe that considered preparation will significantly boost a student’s confidence and enhance their performance in competitive entrance examinations. 

 

Our sister company, Pretest Plus, has online CAT4 practice tests you can purchase. Working your way through the practice tests will help you be prepared for the CAT4 in the following ways:

 

• You will know what to expect in the actual CAT4, meaning there will be no surprises on the day that might negatively impact your performance.
• You will get better at working quickly and accurately as you work your way through the practice tests. This means you will cope well with the time constraints and pressure of the actual test.
• You can make any mistakes you are going to make in the practice tests (rather than in the actual exam). Looking at the answers and explanations provided with the practice tests means you can learn from these errors.
• You can work out which areas you are weak in and devote more study time to these areas, meaning you have no weaknesses by the time you take the real CAT4. 

 

Cardiff Sixth Form College: CAT4 Practice Materials

 

Our CAT4 practice tests and courses are highly accurate, ensuring that your exam preparation is targeted and efficient. The following packs are specifically designed for CAT4 Level F and Level G.

 

CAT 4 Level F (for GCSE entry) Practice Tests 

 

Our highly rated CAT4 Level F practice tests are available to take online immediately after purchase. Each practice test is marked automatically and can then be reviewed. Answers and explanations are provided for every question, as well as comparative ranking statistics on a per-module basis so that you can precisely determine your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

CAT4 – Level F – Practice Test 1

CAT4 – Level F – Practice Test 2

CAT4 – Level F – Practice Test 3

CAT4 – Level F – Practice Test 4

CAT4 – Level F – Practice Test 5

 

✂️ Save 25% by purchasing our CAT4 Level F Practice Tests Bundle, including all five tests. Click the button below to learn more:

 

CAT4 Level F Practice Tests Bundle - Save 25%

 

CAT 4 Level F (for GCSE entry) Skill Practice

 

The following Skill Practice Tests each focus on one module that will come up in the CAT4 Level F. Therefore, if your child finds particular modules challenging, you can target them specifically, making a big improvement in a short amount of time. Across each product, we cover every possible question variation that can come up in the actual exam. These topic-based practice tests are therefore extremely efficient and effective. All tests are marked automatically and feedback, solutions and statistical rankings are provided.

 

Non-Verbal Reasoning

CAT4 Level F – Figure Matrices

CAT4 Level F – Figure Classification

 

Verbal Reasoning

CAT4 Level F – Verbal Classification

CAT4 Level F – Verbal Analogies

 

Quantitative Reasoning

CAT4 Level F – Number Analogies

CAT4 Level F – Number Series

 

Spatial Reasoning

CAT4 Level F – Figure Analysis

CAT4 Level F – Figure Recognition

 

✂️ Save 25% by purchasing our CAT4 Level F Skill Practice Bundle, including all eight tests. Click the button below to learn more:

 

CAT4 Level F Skill Practice Bundle - Save 25%

 

CAT 4 Level G (for A-Level entry) Practice Tests

 

Our highly rated CAT4 Level G practice tests are available to take online immediately after purchase. Each practice test is marked automatically and can then be reviewed. Answers and explanations are provided for every question, as well as comparative ranking statistics on a per-module basis so that you can precisely determine your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

CAT4 – Level G – Practice Test 1

CAT4 – Level G – Practice Test 2

CAT4 – Level G – Practice Test 3

CAT4 – Level G – Practice Test 4

CAT4 – Level G – Practice Test 5

 

✂️ Save 25% by purchasing our CAT4 Level G Practice Tests Bundle, including all five tests. Click the button below to learn more:

 

CAT4 Level F Practice Tests Bundle - Save 25%

 

CAT 4 Level G (for A-Level entry) Skill Practice

 

The following Skill Practice Tests each focus on one module that will come up in the CAT4 Level G. Therefore, if your child finds particular modules challenging, you can target them specifically, making a big improvement in a short amount of time. Across each product, we cover every possible question variation that can come up in the actual exam. These topic-based practice tests are therefore extremely efficient and effective. All tests are marked automatically and feedback, solutions and statistical rankings are provided.

 

Non-Verbal Reasoning

CAT4 – Level G – Figure Matrices

CAT4 – Level G – Figure Classification

 

Verbal Reasoning

CAT4 – Level G – Verbal Classification

CAT4 – Level G – Verbal Analogies

 

Quantitative Reasoning

CAT4 – Level G – Number Analogies

CAT4 – Level G – Number Series

 

Spatial Reasoning

CAT4 – Level G – Figure Analysis

CAT4 – Level G – Figure Recognition

 

 

✂️ Save 25% by purchasing our CAT4 Level G Skill Practice Bundle, including all eight tests. Click the button below to learn more:

 

CAT4 Level F Skill Practice Bundle - Save 25%

 

 

If you don’t buy a bundle, don’t forget to use the code ppdiscount at checkout to get 10% off orders over £80 and 20% off orders over £200!

 

If you have any questions about any of our resources or need any help with them, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

 

The information in this post was believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, it’s advisable to verify details directly with the college, as changes may occur in the future. We also advise you to contact the college directly if you are unsure of anything. College contact details are provided within the post.

Please note that Pretest Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and not affiliated with or endorsed by the publishers of the Cardiff Sixth Form College entrance exams, CAT4 or any other test publisher.