Keep three different lists
| List | What belongs on it |
|---|---|
| Schools to research | Schools that might suit your child and appear reachable. |
| Tests to register for | The distinct routes needed by the schools you are seriously considering. |
| Final CAF preferences | Individual schools you would accept, within your council’s limit and in your preferred order. |
Confusing these lists can lead to too many tests, too few realistic school choices or a missing application.
Start with geography and entry requirements
Use the school map to identify possible journeys, then read the admission policies. Check the entry year, school type, test stages, residence requirements and your child’s likely priority category.
Remove schools that clearly cannot work before investing in extensive preparation or visits. Mark uncertain points for the admissions team rather than treating them as confirmed exclusions.
Do not begin with a national ranking and assume every school near the top is a practical option from your address.
Investigate the remaining schools properly
For each school, collect the actual journey, current policy, relevant result information and questions about subjects or support. Attend available open events and write brief notes afterwards.
A fictional family might begin with eight schools across three tests, then find that four schools across two routes are usable. Another may have only one realistic grammar school nearby. The number is the outcome of the checks, not a target to meet.
Include non-selective schools early enough to visit and understand their rules. A “backup” researched only after an unsuccessful result can leave little time before the CAF deadline.
Narrow the final preferences after results
Once official outcomes arrive, confirm which academic requirements have been met and which stages remain. Recheck allocation criteria and identify at least one acceptable option with a realistic admissions position.
Order the selected schools by what you want, rather than by test score, prestige or perceived safety. The council uses your order when more than one school can offer.
The guide to how many schools to apply for develops this further. Before submitting, use the CAF checklist to confirm school names, forms, evidence and final submission.
A FEW MORE ANSWERS
Still wondering?
Is the shortlist limited to the number of CAF preferences?
No. You can research more schools than you can eventually name. By submission, choose within your council’s preference limit and list only schools you would accept.
Does every grammar school require another test?
No. Several schools can share one examination. Group the shortlist by test route before deciding how many registrations are needed.
Should we use every preference slot?
Use the available preferences thoughtfully to include acceptable, realistic options. Naming only one school does not improve its chance of offering, but adding a school you would never accept is not useful research.
Official sources
Checked 28 Sept 2026