School Competitiveness + Benchmarks
how to read this page
The benchmarks shown below are not official pass marks. They are indicative ranges based on real data from each school’s previous cut-off scores and average acceptance scores, as well as user-submitted data.
We made this page to help parents understand how competitive a school is. Schools do not publish fixed pass marks/thresholds so these benchmarks vary each year depending on how students perform and how the school decides to rank them.
The list will be updated periodically as new data becomes available.
Schools that offer 13+ entry where the exam is taken at 11+ are also included in this list.
Last update: 4 August 2025
how 11+ selection works
Most selective schools use one of two models:
- Single-threshold selection
A qualifying score determines entry. - Qualification + ranking selection
A minimum score allows a child to qualify (after which places are offered to the highest-ranked candidates).
For highly competitive schools, passing the exam does not guarantee an offer.
grammar schools
selection-led, exam driven
Grammar schools rely mostly on performance during entrance exams when deciding their cohort.
highly Competitive grammar schools
e.g. Bexley Grammar School, Judd School, King Edward VI
These schools use a two-stage selection process:
- Children must first meet a qualifying standard to pass the exam.
- All qualifying students are ranked and places are offered to the highest-ranking students.
As such, passing the exam does not guarantee an offer. It all depends on how well other students did and how many places there are available.
Students who receive offers from these schools are usually:
- secure at Hard level on Prep Ed
- consistent across papers
- strong in reasoning and problem-solving
- maintain accuracy under time pressure
- have some exposure to scholarship content on Prep Ed
competitive grammarschool
e.g. Dartford Grammar School for Girls, Wilmington Grammar School, Aylesbury High School
These schools are still selective, but there is less ranking pressure than most oversubscribed grammar schools.
Selection is usually determined by meeting a qualifying standard (with ranking only applicable when demand is closer to capacity).
Students who receive offers from these schools are usually:
- secure at medium to hard level on Prep Ed
- accurate across core skills
- confident with exam-style questions
- developing speed alongside understanding
- have some exposure to hard content on Prep Ed
moderately competitive grammar schools
e.g. grammar schools with broader selective intake cross counties like Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire.
These schools admit a wider proportion of students and place emphasis on secure foundations, rather than rankings.
Students who receive offers from these schools are usually:
- secure at medium level on Prep Ed
- accurate across core skills
- confident with exam-style questions
- developing speed alongside understanding
- beginning to encounter hard content on Prep Ed
independent schools
depth-led, multi-stage selection
Independent schools use a wider range of assessment methods than grammar schools, including: academic performance, school reports, interviews, professional judgment etc.
highly selective independent schools
e.g. Westminster school, St Paul’s Girls’ School, Guildford High School
These schools are both academically demanding and highly competitive. Written papers are challenging, can be used for shortlisting + ranking, but decisions are typically made using a holistic academic profile.
Students who receive offers from these schools are usually:
- secure at hard level on Prep Ed
- confident with scholarship level thinking
- have strong reasoning and inference
- are able to explain thinking clearly, both in writing and verbally
selective independent schools
e.g. Colfe’s School, Alleyn’s School, Withington Girls’ School
These schools are still selective, but there is less filtering than most competitive independent schools. Exams are used to assess how suitable a student is and whether they are academically ready, but not for ranking.
Students who receive offers from these schools are usually:
- secure at medium to hard level on Prep Ed
- accurate and confident across core skills
- comfortable with structured exam-style questions
- beginning to engage with higher-level reasoning where appropriate