The test assesses students’ verbal and non-verbal abilities, English skills and mathematics, and is provided by GL Assessment. All questions are multiple choice style questions.

In one paper, students will be tested on their verbal skills (including comprehension, vocabulary and verbal reasoning). The other test paper assesses non-verbal reasoning and mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding. 

Each test session will take around an hour. At the beginning of each session there is time built in for the sharing of instructions and, for the non-verbal reasoning element, some worked examples. Students are allocated a total of 45 minutes to complete the tests themselves.

GL Assessment is the largest independent provider of educational assessments in the UK, also providing assessment materials to schools in over 100 countries worldwide.  They have been developing selection assessments for over 40 years and provide tests to the majority of grammar schools in the country.  GL Assessment works hard to develop its material such that all children are able to demonstrate their levels of attainment and academic potential without excessive preparation. 

Test Day

The entrance test will take place on the morning of Saturday, 12th September 2026.

 Results

Parents/carers will be informed of their child’s result by email in mid-October. Results will be sent home before parents/carers have to make a decision on which schools to put on their Local Authority Common Application (CAF) Form.  If parents/ carers have elected (on the Grammar School Registration Form) to share their child’s result with more than one school, a separate result email will be sent from each school.  

How does my child gain admission to Ribston Hall High School?

Ribston Hall High School is a selective school. To gain a place your child must first sit and achieve the required standard in the Grammar School entrance test. Registration for the exam is open between May and June.  Information and specific dates about the entrance test are published on the Ribston Hall High School website at the appropriate time.

How do I apply to sit the grammar school entrance test?

You must complete the Grammar School Registration to enable your child to sit the entrance test. Information on this will be found on the Ribston Hall High School website at the appropriate time. 

Once you have registered online you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive this confirmation email within a few hours of registering you must contact the school. At the beginning of the school term in September you will receive a letter detailing timings of the day and what your daughter should bring.

What is the format of the test?

The test consists of multiple choice style questions on verbal ability (comprehension, vocabulary and verbal reasoning), numerical reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. There are two papers each lasting 50 to 55 minutes with additional time for instructions and some worked examples. There will be a break between the papers.

Why has the test been changed?

The seven Gloucestershire Grammar Schools are concerned by the amount of tutoring that currently takes place. CEM are one of the largest independent providers of educational assessment and monitoring systems in the world. They have been developing selection assessments since 1999, and provide tests for a number of grammar schools in other counties. CEM design their tests to enable all children to demonstrate their academic potential without excessive preparation.

Is it possible to obtain some practice papers/sample questions beforehand?

Familiarisation booklet are available on our website which gives examples of the sorts of questions used in the test. CEM does not produce commercially available practice materials. Please be aware that materials sold on the internet or provided by tutors, other than CEM familiarisation and practice materials, are not genuine CEM samples.

How should my child prepare for the test?

Beyond the familiarisation material, the best preparation for the tests is to read books and use mathematics on a regular basis.

When will I get the results?

The results will be sent via email in October (date and time to be confirmed). Results are published in good time for you to be able to complete the Local Authority’s Common Application Form.

If my child reaches the qualifying standard, how do I apply for a place at Ribston Hall High School?

If your daughter meets the qualifying standard, you will be informed and can apply for a place at Ribston Hall High School by completing the Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF) for allocation of school places. The deadline for this is 31st October.

Does the school have a catchment area?

Ribston Hall High School does not have a catchment area.

This information is based on the most up-to-date information available to us at the time and may be subject to change. 

To assist parents in making decisions about transport for their daughters to and from Ribston Hall High School, please find a list of bus companies below who currently provide transport for our students.  Transport providers are generally very helpful in discussing setting up new or altered routes where there is a need.  Our influence, whilst not insubstantial, has no power to control or alter the actions of the independent commercial enterprises. Please click here for the Bus Timetable