Dulwich College (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​Dulwich College is a leading selective independent school for boys located in Dulwich, London. Founded in 1619, it educates over 1,910 students from ages 2 to 18 years across its kindergarten, Junior, and Senior schools. The curriculum spans from early years right through to Key Stage 3 (KS3), GCSEs, and the Sixth Form..

Ranked among the best independent schools in the UK, Dulwich consistently delivers stellar academic outcomes. In its most recent Educational Quality Inspection, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded the College its highest possible rating of "Excellent" across all categories, including both the quality of the pupils' academic achievements and their personal development.

Uniquely, Dulwich champions a distinctive 'Free Learning' ethos, encouraging students to explore intellectual passions entirely beyond the exam syllabus. This academic rigour is supported by The Laboratory, an award-winning hub merging science with the arts, alongside a dedicated Wellbeing Centre focusing on mental health literacy.

In this guide, I leverage my 6-year education consultancy background to simplify Dulwich College 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions for every parent.

School Details

• Type of School: Independent School
  
• Boarding Type: Day and Boarding
  
• Gender Type: Boys (Co-educational in Kindergarten/Infants)
  
• Religion: Church of England
  
• Age Range: 2 to 18 years
  
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1910+
  
• Dulwich College GCSE Results (2025): 93.5% achieved Grades 9-7
  
• Dulwich College A-Level Results (2025): 69.2% achieved A*-A
  

Admissions Details

• Admissions Policy: Selective
  
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): ~250 (Total) / ~70 (External)
  
• Exam Board: Bespoke Online Adaptive Assessment & Internal Writing Paper
  
• Number of Stages: 2 (Entrance Examination and Interview)
  
• School Catchment Area: No.
  
• Sibling Policy: No.
  
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%
  

Preparing for the Dulwich College open day and coordinating the assessment schedule requires meticulous planning. I have compiled the definitive calendar of Dulwich College 11 plus exam dates, including the specific 11+ Exam date, to guide your family through the admissions process. These 11 plus exam dates are arranged chronologically to help you structure the academic year effectively.

Dulwich College manages its own 11 plus exam process for Year 7 entry in September 2026. As one of the most sought-after Independent schools in Southwark, parents must strictly follow the deadlines outlined on the Dulwich College Admissions Page.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Submit the online application form by midday on 31^st October 2025 to complete your 11 plus exam registration.
  
• Pay the £200 registration fee (£440 for overseas applicants) to confirm the 11+ Exam booking.
  
• Indicate any interest in Scholarships or Bursaries directly on this form to trigger the supplementary applications.
  
• The school will automatically request a confidential reference from your son’s current Headteacher.
  

What exam board does Dulwich follow?

The school uses a Bespoke Online Adaptive Assessment for the majority of the test, alongside a short, internally set handwritten Creative Writing paper.

How long is the 11+ Exam for Dulwich?

The entire assessment session lasts approximately 3 hours (including breaks). It consists of fast-paced online modules—such as 30 minutes for English and 20 minutes for Mathematics—and a 20-minute handwritten creative writing task.

In this section, we explore what is in the 11 Plus exam at Dulwich College. The admissions process for Year 7 entry in September 2026 seeks boys with academic promise, logical thinking, and intellectual curiosity.

Students entering in 2026 will sit their entrance examinations earlier than in previous years, specifically in early December 2025. This assessment day is the primary method for selecting candidates for the interview stage in late January.

Under the updated assessment structure, all registered candidates complete a comprehensive Online Adaptive Assessment covering English, Mathematics, and Reasoning. Additionally, pupils sit a brief, handwritten creative writing task designed to evaluate their imagination and expressive potential beyond standard curriculum knowledge.

11+ English

The English assessment is primarily conducted online and is split into two modules. It tests a candidate’s technical proficiency and ability to interpret texts.

• English Module (30 mins): A non-adaptive module focusing on reading comprehension, grammar, and punctuation.
  
• Creative Comprehension (20 mins): A non-adaptive module designed to test how well a student can extract and apply information from a given source.
  
• Creative Writing (20 mins): A separate, handwritten task where students have 5 minutes to plan and 15 minutes to write a descriptive or narrative response to a stimulus.
  

11+ Mathematics

The Mathematics assessment is a fast-paced 20-minute online module.

• Adaptive Format: The questions adjust in difficulty based on the candidate's answers. If a student answers correctly, the next question becomes more challenging.
  
• Content: It covers the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum, focusing on mental fluency, arithmetic, and problem-solving across number, geometry, and statistics.
  
• Calculators: Dictionaries and calculators are strictly prohibited; students are provided with paper and pencils for working out.
  

Online Reasoning & Puzzles

Dulwich College uses a bespoke online platform (Quest) to evaluate logic and cognitive potential.

• Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning (10 mins each): These are adaptive modules that assess language-based logic and pattern recognition using shapes and diagrams.
  
• Puzzles & Problem Solving (15 mins): A non-adaptive module featuring interactive puzzles that require students to deduce information and type answers.
  

The 11+ Interview

Boys who perform well in the Dulwich College 11 Plus Test are invited back for an interview. This takes place in late January or early February and provides a holistic view of the candidate.

• The interview is a friendly conversation with a member of the teaching staff.
  
• It explores the boy's academic interests, hobbies, and engagement with the world.
  
• Parents should review 11+ Interview Questions to help their child feel confident answering open-ended queries.
  

Dulwich College does not publish a specific pass mark for the 11 plus exam. Selection is holistic, relying on high performance in the Entrance Examination (Part 1 and 2) alongside a positive headteacher's reference and interview.

While the school does not have an official pass mark, if the child is able to achieve 95%+ score in PiAcademy’s 11+ Practice Papers, they will be able to ace the Dulwich College 11 plus test results.

Dulwich College is widely considered the gold standard for boys' education in South East London. However, securing a place is incredibly competitive, with hundreds of applicants fighting for roughly 70 external Year 7 spots.

I have advised families in London for over 18 years. A common mistake I see is parents fixating solely on "Dulwich" without a robust backup plan. To mitigate risk, I always recommend a portfolio approach: target 3 Grammar schools and 2 Independent schools.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Most families applying to Dulwich College also look at the highly selective grammars in Orpington/Sutton and private alternatives in Dulwich/Croydon. Here is how the top competitors compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to Dulwich College

• St Olave’s Grammar School: This is the primary state alternative for high-achieving boys in the South East. With A-Level results often surpassing private schools, it offers an elite education for free, provided your son passes their rigorous two-stage SET.
  
• Alleyn’s School: Located just minutes away, Alleyn’s was founded by the same benefactor as Dulwich College. It offers a very similar level of prestige but in a fully co-educational setting, which suits some students better.
  
• Wilson’s School: Another "super-selective" grammar school that rivals Dulwich for academic output. It focuses heavily on Maths and Science, making it a stellar choice for STEM-oriented students.
  
• Whitgift School: Situated in Croydon, Whitgift is famous for its vast grounds and IB curriculum option in the Sixth Form. It is an excellent "Plan B" for active boys who need space and extensive sporting facilities.
  
• Trinity School: Part of the Whitgift Foundation, Trinity offers exceptional pastoral care and a slightly less pressured environment than Dulwich, while still achieving outstanding academic and sporting results.
  

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the Dulwich College 11+ exam past papers reveals a distinct topic weighting. This breakdown clearly shows that Numbers and Geometry account for over half of the expected questions (60%) in the 11+ Maths papers.

Try our 11 Plus Maths topics-wise Questions with more than 15,000+ Questions. Used by 15,000+ Students, it includes the complete 11+ Maths Solved Past Papers planner.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

Based on the exam analysis, Reading Comprehension (45%) and Creative Writing (40%) are critical. Students must demonstrate strong inference skills and the ability to write descriptively under time pressure.

Boost your preparation with our 11+ English Past Papers. resources to master various writing styles.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning papers for Dulwich College shows that Word Meaning and Codes are primary focus areas. These topics collectively account for approximately 60% of the total marks.

Elevate your score with our 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers. This pack includes detailed answer hints and worksheets covering key topics like Codes and Word Meanings.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 Plus Non Verbal Reasoning indicates that 3D Shapes and Matrices are critical focus areas. Mastering these visual patterns is essential for securing a high score in the reasoning paper.

Prepare for success with our 11+ NVR Practice Papers. This resource provides instant access to expert-designed practice papers and a structured exam planner.

Which are the Best (11 plus) 11+ Practice Papers for Dulwich College?

Our targeted 11+ Practice Papers are based on the actual questions from top independent schools.

We recommend the following resources for Dulwich College:

Dulwich College is highly selective, making consistent, targeted practice crucial for admission. Because the school has moved to a predominantly digital format, sitting a specific Dulwich College 11 plus mock exam that mirrors the online adaptive interface is essential. Regularly completing 11 plus mock tests helps boys familiarise themselves with fast-paced screen reading, identifies weak areas, and improves accuracy under pressure.

As the school utilizes a unique hybrid assessment, we recommend resources that simulate both the digital reasoning challenges and the traditional handwritten tasks:

You can also access our Free 11 plus mock test to evaluate your son's current attainment. Booking an 11 plus mock test Southwark ensures students can handle the exam nerves.

For the 2025-26 academic year, Dulwich College Year 7 day fees are £10,164 per term. This figure typically covers tuition, lunch, and essential curricular expenses.

Talented candidates may apply for Dulwich College Scholarships across academic, musical, and sporting disciplines. Additionally, means-tested Dulwich College bursaries offer substantial support, potentially covering 100% of fees for eligible families.

Please explore our guide on the most expensive Private Schools UK to see how these costs compare.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 4^th September 2025 to 17^th October 2025
  
• Autumn Half Term 2: 3^rd November 2025 to 12^th December 2025
  
• Spring Half Term 1: 7^th January 2026 to 13^th February 2026
  
• Spring Half Term 2: 23^rd February 2026 to 27^th March 2026
  
• Summer Half Term 1: 21^st April 2026 to 22^nd May 2026
  
• Summer Half Term 2: 1^st June 2026 to 2^nd July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Dulwich College Official Website.

Independent school admissions involve direct applications, distinct registration deadlines, and bespoke pre-testing. Review these official inspection reports and testing guidelines to prepare your child for Dulwich College.

• UK Govt. - Get Information on Dulwich College Page
• Dulwich College ISI report
• Dulwich College Admission Policy​
• Dulwich College - Charity Commission
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data