King's College School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​King's College School is a leading selective independent school for boys in Wimbledon. Established in 1829, it educates 1,200+ pupils aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Ranked among the best independent schools in the UK, KCS Wimbledon delivers exceptional academic outcomes. The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) has awarded the school its highest possible rating of "Excellent" in all categories."

KCS Wimbledon champions academic versatility through its dual A Level and IB Diploma pathways, consistently securing top-tier national rankings. Beyond the classroom, the school fosters social responsibility via the extensive Wimbledon Partnership, while empowering students with over 150 co-curricular clubs and pioneering community outreach initiatives.

In this guide, I leverage my 18-year education consultancy background to simplify King's College School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions for every parent.

King's College School, frequently referred to as KCS Wimbledon, is one of the world's leading academic day schools. Renowned for its exceptional pastoral care and academic rigor, it offers a vibrant environment for bright minds. Admission is highly competitive, reflected in the interview and offer rates. Below is a summary of the vital data points for parents considering this prestigious institution for their son's education.

School Details

• Type of School: Independent School
  
• Boarding Type: No Boarding (Day School)
  
• Gender Type: Boys (Co-educational in Sixth Form)
  
• Religion: Church of England
  
• Age Range: 7–18 years
  
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1470+
  
• GCSE Results: 90.7% achieved Grade 9–8 (2025)
  
• A-Level Results: 86.1% achieved A*–A (2025)
  

​​

Admissions Details

• Admissions Policy: Selective
  
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 60 (External)
  
• Exam Board: Internal / School's Own Papers
  
• Number of Stages: 2 (Entrance Exam + Interview)
  
• School Catchment Area: No
  
• Sibling Policy: No
  
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

Planning for the King's College School open day requires checking the timeline early. I have compiled the official King's College School 11 plus exam dates to assist your preparation. The table below outlines the registration deadline and the specific 11+ Exam date. Reviewing these dates for 11 plus exams and 11 plus exam dates helps you stay ahead.

KCS Wimbledon manages its own admissions for boys seeking Year 7 entry in September 2026. As one of the premier Independent schools in Merton, the school enforces strict registration deadlines. Parents must refer to the King's College School Admissions Policy for full details.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Complete the online application form by late September 2025 to formally start the 11 plus exam process.
  
• Upload a copy of your son's passport and pay the registration fee to finalize the 11 plus exam registration.
  
• Indicate any interest in bursaries or scholarships immediately, as you cannot add this after the 11+ Exam deadline.
  

In this section, we explore what is in the 11 Plus exam at King's College School.

The admissions process for Year 7 entry in September 2026 is designed to identify academic potential and a genuine love for learning. Students entering in 2026 will sit their entrance examinations in early December 2025.

As stated in the King's College School Admissions Policy, the school uses a rigorous single-stage academic assessment to evaluate candidates. All registered applicants are invited to the school to sit these formal papers and participate in the selection process.

11+ English

The 11+ English assessment is a 50-minute paper that focuses on reading, understanding, and writing skills. It is designed to see how well a child can engage with a text and express their own ideas.

• The first part of the paper involves a reading comprehension task based on an unseen fiction or non-fiction passage.
  
• Candidates must answer 11 plus exam questions that test their ability to infer meaning and analyse language.
  
• The second part is a creative writing task where students respond to a prompt or a specific question.
  
• Markers look for accurate spelling, varied punctuation, and a sophisticated range of vocabulary.

​

11+ Mathematics

The 11+ Mathematics paper also lasts 50 minutes and is based primarily on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum. It aims to test both fluency and the ability to solve more complex, non-routine problems.

• The paper starts with arithmetic questions to check basic mathematical fluency and speed.
  
• It then moves into multi-step word problems that require logical thinking and application of concepts.
  
• Questions cover topics such as number properties, fractions, decimals, and basic geometry.
  
• Students are encouraged to show their working out as marks are awarded for the correct method used.

​

11+ Verbal Reasoning

King's College School also includes an assessment of Verbal Reasoning to identify underlying logic and problem-solving skills. This paper is often the most unfamiliar to students and tests their ability to spot patterns in words and numbers.

• Students are required to solve problems involving antonyms, synonyms, and code-breaking.
  
• This part of the King's College School > 11 Plus Test helps the school find potential beyond standard curriculum knowledge.
  
• It assesses critical thinking and the ability to follow logical rules using language.
  
• The format is typically multiple-choice and is strictly timed to measure processing speed.

The 11+ Interview

Shortlisted candidates are invited back for an interview in January 2026. This is a vital part of the holistic review to see how the child interacts with peers and teachers.
The interview is conversational and aims to explore the child's interests and intellectual curiosity. Parents should review 11+ interview questions to help their child feel comfortable and reflective during this discussion.

What exam board does King's College School follow?

The Papers are set internally by the school.

How long is the 11+ Exam for King's College School?

The English and Mathematics papers are 50 minutes each, plus a Verbal Reasoning paper.

KCS Wimbledon does not publish a specific cut-off score for the eleven plus exam.

• Positive 11 plus exam results rely on the cohort's rank order.
  
• Students should aim to maximise their scores across all subjects.

The school does not have an official pass mark. However, achieving a 95%+ score in PiAcademy’s 11+ Practice Papers positions your child to ace the King's College School 11 plus exam.

King's College School (KCS) is widely considered the academic jewel of Wimbledon. However, securing a place is notoriously difficult due to the fiercely competitive nature of the 11+ entrance exams. With hundreds of applicants vying for roughly 60 external places, the odds are slim.

I have guided families through the South West London admissions process for nearly two decades. I frequently see parents fixate solely on KCS Wimbledon, leaving them unprepared if the envelope contains a rejection. A robust strategy must include a mix of state grammar and independent school options to ensure your son succeeds.

It is vital to have a "3 Grammar, 2 Private" school portfolio. This approach safeguards your child’s academic future by providing elite alternatives that rival the standards of King's College School. Below are the top peer institutions frequently targeted by KCS applicants.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Families targeting KCS Wimbledon typically look towards the Kingston and Sutton grammar consortiums for state places. For independent options, they often consider schools in Barnes and Hampton. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are top alternatives to KCS Wimbledon

• Tiffin School (Kingston): This is often the primary state alternative for KCS applicants. It offers a similar high-paced academic environment for free, though competition for places is intense due to catchment rules.
  
• St Paul’s School (Barnes): For parents seeking the absolute pinnacle of academic prestige, St Paul’s is the main rival. The 11+ entry is via St Paul’s Juniors, involving the ISEB Pre-test and written papers.
  Hampton School: Situated a short distance away, Hampton is renowned for balancing academic rigour with pastoral care. It is an excellent parallel choice for boys who might find the KCS atmosphere too pressurized.
  
• Wilson's School (Sutton): Wilson's is one of the oldest and most successful boys' grammar schools in the UK. It requires passing the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET), followed by a rigorous second stage exam.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the King's College School 11+ exam past papers reveals a distinct topic weighting for the entrance test. This breakdown clearly shows that Numbers and Geometry account for over half of the expected questions in the 11 plus maths papers.

Try our 11 Plus Maths topics-wise Questions with more than 15,000+ Questions. Used by 20,000+ Students, it includes the complete 11+ maths topics planner, worksheets, and formula sheets.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for King's College School?

​Our targeted 11+ practice papers are based on the actual exam questions of top independent schools. These resources help students familiarize themselves with the exam pattern well before time.

We recommend the following resources for King's College School. These packs consist of independent-style questions with detailed step-wise solutions to help you score top marks.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

​Based on our analysis, Reading Comprehension (50%) and 11+ creative writing (30%) are critical areas. The exam demands strong analytical skills and the ability to construct well-structured responses.

Check out our website to download the latest 2026 11+ English past papers and practice materials.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

​Analysis of 11 plus verbal reasoning papers for King's College School shows that Codes, Word Meaning, and Making Words are the primary focus areas. These topics collectively account for approximately 75% of the total marks in this section.

Elevate your score with our 11+ Verbal Reasoning resources, featuring over 1,400+ topic-wise questions. Trusted by thousands, this pack includes a complete 11 plus test papers planner and detailed answer hints.

King's College School is extremely competitive, requiring effective preparation for success. Sitting a King's College School 11 plus mock exam helps your son familiarise himself with the format. Since KCS Wimbledon sets its own papers, identifying weak areas via practice is essential.

You can assess your son's level using our free 11 plus mock test online. Booking an 11 plus mock test Merton is a strategic step for entrance success.

For the 2025-26 academic year, the Senior School fee at KCS Wimbledon is £10,410 per term. These costs cover tuition, lunch, and most curriculum resources.

Talented pupils may apply for King's College School Scholarships in academics or music. Families needing financial support can access King's College School bursaries, which are often more generous than standard private school scholarships bursaries. You can view our guide on the most expensive Private Schools UK to compare these costs.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Wednesday 3^rd September 2025 to Friday 17^th October 2025
  
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 3^rd November 2025 to Friday 12^th December 2025
  
• Spring Half Term 1: Tuesday 6^th January 2026 to Friday 13^th February 2026
  
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23^th February 2026 to Friday 27^th March 2026
  
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 20^th April 2026 to Friday 22^nd May 2026
  
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 1^st June 2026 to Thursday 2^nd July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and King's College School Official Website.