Bespoke / ConsortiumBoysKingston upon Thames

Tiffin School: 11+ guide

Tiffin School is one of the most heavily oversubscribed boys’ grammar schools in the country, drawing applicants from across South West London and Surrey. Its two-stage assessment rewards both speed and accuracy, so consistent timed practice matters as much as raw ability.

Exam board

Bespoke / Consortium

Approx places

180

Selectivity

~11 applicants per place

Established

1880

Exam format

A two-stage process: a first-round multiple-choice test in Maths and English, with the highest scorers invited to a second-round test before places are offered against the published priority criteria.

Subjects tested

MathsEnglishVerbal ReasoningNon-Verbal Reasoning

Catchment & admissions

No fixed distance catchment, but a published inner and outer priority area around Kingston narrows the field at the offer stage. Boys from across London and Surrey apply.

Qualifying score & how hard it is

Extremely competitive — strong candidates typically need to score well above the median across both rounds. Treat ~85%+ accuracy as a working target rather than an official cut-off.

Preparation timeline

Most families begin focused preparation in Year 4, build topic mastery through the first half of Year 5, then shift to full timed papers and second-round style questions over the summer before the Year 6 tests.

Frequently asked questions

Does Tiffin use GL or CEM?+

Tiffin sets its own bespoke assessment rather than a standard GL or CEM paper, but the underlying skills — Maths, English and reasoning — are the same ones GL-style practice builds.

How many rounds is the Tiffin entrance exam?+

Two. A first-round test is sat by all registered candidates, and the top scorers are invited to a second-round test that determines the ranking for offers.

Figures here are indicative and for planning only — admissions arrangements change each year. Always confirm the latest details on Tiffin School’s official admissions page.

Is your child on track for Tiffin School?

Take the free 15-minute diagnostic for an age-standardised score and a clear gap analysis against grammar-school standards.