South-East London grammar schools

In South-East London the state grammar schools are in two boroughs: four in Bexley and two in Bromley. Each Bromley school sets its own test, and many families also look over the border at Kent.

The tests

Bexley Selection Test

Two multiple-choice papers, about 50 minutes each. Set by Quest Assessments since 2026 (it was GL before). Verbal ability counts for half the score; maths is tested as numerical reasoning.

Registration: 1–31 March 2026
Test: 7–10 September 2026
Results and offers: Results 2 October; offers 1 March 2027

Try a free 10-minute Bexley Selection Test sample

Newstead Wood

Two multiple-choice papers. Verbal and non-verbal reasoning only.

Registration: 1 May – 30 June 2026
Test: Late September 2026
Results and offers: Results mid-October; offers 1 March 2027

Try a free 10-minute Newstead Wood sample

St Olave's Grammar School

One-hour multiple-choice test, then written English and maths (about 60 minutes each). Boys only. The top 450 from stage 1 sit stage 2, where maths is 30 written questions with working shown.

Registration: 8–29 June 2026 (closed at midday)
Test: 18 September 2026 (stage 1), 13 November 2026 (stage 2)
Results and offers: Stage 1 results mid-October; offers 1 March 2027

Try a free 10-minute St Olave's Grammar School sample

English and maths paper plus a reasoning paper, multiple choice. From the September 2027 test, the Kent Test is set by Quest Assessments, the company that also sets the Bexley test (it was GL before). Kent has not published the new format yet. The writing task is not marked; it is only looked at if a headteacher panel reviews the result.

Registration: 1 June – 1 July 2026
Test: 10 September 2026 (12/13 Sept outside Kent)
Results and offers: Results 15 October; offers 1 March 2027

Try a free 10-minute Kent Test sample

Based on last year's dates (September 2027 entry). Schools have not published dates for September 2028 entry yet, so always check each school's own website before you register.

The Kent Test is changing: what it means for Year 5

The 6 South-East London grammar schools

Bexley

Beths Grammar School (Boys, Bexley Selection Test)

Welling

Bexley Grammar School (Mixed, Bexley Selection Test)

Sidcup

Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School (Mixed, Bexley Selection Test)

Bexleyheath

Townley Grammar School (Girls, Bexley Selection Test)

Orpington

Newstead Wood School (Girls, its own test)
St Olave's Grammar School (Boys, its own two-stage test)

Nearby Kent grammar schools in Dartford and Wilmington take many children from Bexley and Bromley through the Kent Test.
The tests fall within a few weeks of each other in September, so one steady plan that covers the shared skills works better than separate preparation for each.