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EXAM AREA / SEPTEMBER 2027 ENTRY

South West Herts tests

Academic, music and sports routes into partially selective schools.

Academic & aptitude routesYear 6 test → Year 7 entry

Official sources checked 28 Sept 2026

HOW TO APPLY

Test registration & school applications

Test registration and your school application are two separate steps.

01 · TEST REGISTRATION

Register for the test

One consortium registration, with chosen tests

2027 entry registrationClosed 5 June 2026
Registration & access arrangements

Select the academic, music and/or sports tests needed for the admissions categories you want to use. Check the choices in the parent portal.

Access-arrangement requests were due by 5 June. Keep the registration confirmation and read each test invitation separately.

Official registration details
02 · SCHOOL APPLICATION

Choose your schools

On your home council’s CAF

School application deadline31 October 2026
How do I apply for a place?

Use the Common Application Form (CAF) for the council where you live, including when applying across council boundaries. List schools in your genuine preference order.

Check each school’s admissions policy and any supplementary form. Taking the test does not secure a place.

How to order your schools

TEST FORMAT

Three pathways with different assessments

These schools are partially selective. Not every applicant takes every test.

ACADEMIC ABILITY

Maths & verbal reasoning

  • GL Assessment
  • Two tests

The academic route uses GL mathematics and verbal reasoning tests. Check whether the school offers an academic category.

School test details
MUSIC APTITUDE

Listening, then an invited second stage

  • Two stages
  • Seven schools

The first stage assesses musical aptitude. Successful candidates are invited to the second stage; follow the separate music timetable.

School test details
SPORTS APTITUDE

Queens’ School only

  • Queens’ only
  • Separate assessment

The sports route is specific to Queens’. Register for that pathway and read the school’s conditions and test invitation.

School test details

Croxley Danes participates in music testing only. Its inclusion does not create an academic-test route into that school.

SCORES & PARTIAL SELECTION

Match the result to the admissions category

  • Academic resultAcademic test scores are standardised; use the school’s academic-place criteria.
  • Music or sportsThese are separate pathways with their own assessments and allocation rules.
  • Other placesThe schools also admit through non-test categories. Read the complete policy, not just a historical test score.

Official guidance: Consortium schools and test routes.

SEPTEMBER 2027 ENTRY

Dates to keep track of

Tests take place in 2026, for children starting Year 7 in September 2027. Follow your invitation for your child’s session.

  1. Consortium registration

    Register for the required tests and submit access-arrangement requests.

  2. Academic ability test

    Maths and verbal reasoning.

  3. Music first stage / Queens’ sports

    Attend only the assessments selected and confirmed for your child.

  4. Music second stage

    For invited candidates, following first-stage results on 17 September.

  5. Final results

    The calendar gives approximately noon in the parent portal.

  6. Submit your school application

    Name your preferred schools on your home council’s CAF. Send any school supplementary forms separately by their published deadlines.

  7. National Offer Day

    Your home council confirms the school place offered. Read the acceptance and waiting-list instructions in the offer.

Official timetable: Consortium 2027 calendar. Check the school’s instructions for late, exceptional or additional testing.

THE PRACTICE LIBRARY

Get to know the questions

Maths and verbal reasoning downloads for the academic route.

Start with the official guidanceLocal instructions, sample questions & answer sheets

Academic papers do not prepare a child for the music or sports pathway. Read the separate official assessment instructions for the category you are using.

SCHOOLS & ADMISSIONS

Schools & the pathways they offer

Open the official consortium directory for school contacts. Check each school’s full admissions policy for its selective and non-selective places.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Three school-specific checks

  1. Choose an actual admissions category

    Identify whether you are applying through academic ability, music, sports or a non-test category at each school.

  2. Read the geographic rules

    Catchment and priority areas differ by school and can interact with the chosen category. Verify your address against the policy.

  3. Check supplementary forms

    Consortium test registration and the CAF do not replace any school-specific information form or evidence requirement.

KEEP READING

Help with your next decision

CAF preference order

Understand how your ranked school choices are considered.

Read the guide School appeals explained

Understand appeals after a school place has been refused.

Read the guide

GOOD TO KNOW

A few common questions

Are these fully selective grammar schools?

No. South West Herts is a consortium of partially selective schools with several entry categories.

Does Croxley Danes use the academic test?

It participates in the consortium’s music route only.

Must my child take academic, music and sports tests?

No. Choose the tests needed for the admissions categories you are applying under. The sports route is specific to Queens’.

Is a previous lowest score a guaranteed offer this year?

No. Historical scores reflect a particular school, category and allocation year. They are context for applying, not a fixed promise.

OFFICIAL SOURCES

Checked 28 Sept 2026. Follow the current school policy and your child’s test invitation for individual arrangements.