North London Collegiate School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​Located in Edgware, North London Collegiate School is a prestigious selective independent school for girls. Founded in 1850, it educates 1,100+ pupils aged 4 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Consistently named among the best independent schools in the UK, NLCS achieves stellar outcomes. While the ISI rates the school as "Excellent,". You can check the North London Collegiate School ISI Report here.

Distinguished by its rare dual pathway of A-Levels and the IB Diploma, NCLS cultivates profound intellectual confidence. The school empowers students through the state-of-the-art IDEAS Hub for STEAM innovation and student-led Nicholson Lectures, ensuring a pioneering education that champions both academic breadth and personal leadership.

In this guide, I leverage my 6+ year education consultancy background to simplify North London Collegiate School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions for every parent.

School Details

• Type of School: Independent School
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Girls
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 4 to 18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1090+
• North London Collegiate School GCSE Results (2024): 92% achieved Grade 9-8
• North London Collegiate School A-Level Results (2024): 87% achieved A*-A

Admissions Details

• Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): ~60 – 75
• Exam Board: London 11+ Consortium
• Number of Stages: 2 (Entrance Exam and Interview)
• School Catchment Area: No
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

Successfully navigating the North London Collegiate School open day and assessment schedule requires careful planning. I have compiled the definitive North London Collegiate School 11 plus exam dates to ensure you meet every deadline. Below are the essential 11 plus exam dates, including the confirmed 11+ Exam date for the upcoming intake.

North London Collegiate School (NLCS) independently manages the 11 plus exam process for girls joining Year 7 in September 2026. Parents must complete the formal application as detailed in the North London Collegiate School Admissions Policy.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Submit the online application form and pay the registration fee before the mid-October 2025 deadline.
• Indicate clearly on the form if you intend to apply for a Music Scholarship or a Bursary.
• While this is one of the most competitive independent schools in Harrow, siblings are looked upon favourably provided they meet the academic standard in the 11+ Exam.
• The school will request a confidential reference from your daughter's current Headteacher immediately following registration.

​In this section, we explore what is in the 11 Plus exam at North London Collegiate School. The admissions process for Year 7 entry in September 2026 is designed to identify academic potential and scholarly curiosity. Students entering in 2026 will sit their entrance examinations in December 2025.

As stated in the North London Collegiate School Admissions Policy, the school uses a rigorous written assessment to evaluate candidates. All registered applicants attend the school to sit these formal papers.

11+ English

The 11+ English paper is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes long and tests reading fluency and expressive writing. It is designed to see how well a child can analyze complex texts and articulate their own ideas.

Section A: Reading Comprehension

• This section involves a challenging passage from classic or contemporary fiction.
• Candidates must answer 11+ exam questions that require deep inference and deduction.
• Marks are awarded for quoting evidence from the text to support answers.
• The questions assess the understanding of literary devices and character motivations.

Section B: Creative Writing

• Students produce a piece of writing based on a specific prompt or image.
• The school looks for original ideas rather than rehearsed or formulaic stories.
• Markers assess the accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• A sophisticated range of vocabulary and varied sentence structures are expected.

11+ Mathematics

The 11+ Mathematics paper also lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and is based on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum. It aims to test both numerical accuracy and the ability to solve multi-step problems.​

Numerical Fluency

• The paper begins with arithmetic questions to check calculation speed.
• Topics include fractions, decimals, percentages, and ratios.
• Students must demonstrate a strong grasp of number properties.

Problem Solving

• The latter part of the paper features longer, non-routine problems.
• These questions test logical thinking and the application of mathematical concepts in new contexts.
• Candidates must show their working out clearly to gain method marks.
• This section often differentiates the most able mathematicians from the cohort.​

The 11+ Interview

Shortlisted candidates are invited back for an interview with a senior member of staff. This session helps the school identify students who will thrive in their fast-paced educational environment.

The interview is conversational and explores the child's academic interests and reading habits. Parents should review 11+ interview questions to help their child prepare for this discussion. The North London Collegiate School 11 Plus Test process concludes with this holistic assessment.

Parent’s Top 2 Queries

What exam board does NLCS follow?

The papers are set internally by the school.

How long is the 11+ Exam for NLCS?

The assessment includes a 1 hour 15 minute Mathematics paper and a 1 hour 15 minute English paper.

​North London Collegiate School (NLCS) does not publish a specific required standard for the eleven plus exam. Students should aim to maximise their scores across all subjects to secure a place.

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 North London Collegiate School 11 plus exam.

​North London Collegiate School is often considered the pinnacle of independent girls' education in the UK. However, with high application numbers for limited places, the admissions process is incredibly competitive. Relying solely on this "Gold Standard" option is a risky strategy for any family.

I have guided parents through the North London 11+ process for nearly two decades. I always advise families to build a balanced portfolio of schools to mitigate disappointment. A robust strategy typically includes 4 grammar schools and 1 independent schools alongside NLCS.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When families target North London Collegiate School, they typically look at Henrietta Barnett for state excellence and Haberdashers' or Highgate for private backups. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to North London Collegiate School

• Henrietta Barnett School (HBS): This is the primary state alternative for academic high-flyers. Being tuition-free, it receives over 3,000 applications, making it statistically harder to enter than many private schools.
• Haberdashers' Girls' School: Located in Elstree, "Habs" shares a similar ethos and bus network with NLCS. It offers a slightly more relaxed environment while maintaining exceptional academic standards.
• St Paul's Girls' School: For parents seeking the absolute highest academic ceiling, St Paul's is the only school that arguably outranks NLCS academically. The entrance process is rigorous, often requiring knowledge beyond the KS2 syllabus.
• South Hampstead High School (SHHS): As part of the GDST, South Hampstead uses the London 11+ Consortium exam. This reduces exam fatigue, as one test covers multiple school applications.
• Highgate School: This is the premier choice for families preferring a co-educational environment. Highgate offers a modern, balanced education with facilities that rival the best country boarding schools.

North London Collegiate School sets its own bespoke entrance papers to identify potential in candidates. The examination process is rigorous, focusing on core skills in Mathematics and English. Our analysis of 11+ exam past papers indicates a high level of difficulty designed to challenge able students.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

The mathematics paper assesses a candidate's numerical fluency and problem-solving abilities. Our review of the syllabus and past questions reveals a strong emphasis on Number operations and Geometry. These areas typically account for a significant portion of the marks.

​Enhance your preparation with our 11 Plus Maths topics-wise Questions, featuring over 15,000 questions. This resource includes a comprehensive 11 plus maths planner and worksheets used by thousands of successful students.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

The English paper for North London Collegiate School tests reading accuracy and writing flair. Based on typical independent school formats, the exam is split between Reading Comprehension and Creative Writing. Success requires strong inference skills and a broad vocabulary.

Mastering these sections is vital for the 11+ english past papers. Use our targeted resources for Literary Devices and (SPAG) Grammar & Punctuation to boost your score.

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Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for North London Collegiate School?

Our targeted 11+ practice papers mimic the actual exam style of top independent schools. These resources help students become familiar with the format well in advance.

We recommend the following resources for the North London Collegiate School 11+ entrance exam. These packs provide detailed step-by-step solutions to ensure thorough understanding.

​North London Collegiate School (NLCS) is highly selective, so rigorous preparation is essential. Sitting 11 plus mock tests helps students familiarise themselves with the exam format. These sessions effectively identify weak areas and improve speed under timed conditions.

Since the school sets its own papers, we suggest resources that mirror this specific challenge:

​For the 2024-25 academic year, Senior School fees are £9,917 per term, covering tuition, lunches, and insurance. Parents should note that fees for the upcoming year may adjust due to government VAT changes.

Families requiring financial support can apply for means-tested North London Collegiate School bursaries, potentially covering full tuition. Additionally, Music and Academic North London Collegiate School Scholarships are available to recognise exceptional talent in Year 7 pupils.

Understanding available private school scholarships & bursaries are crucial for making this prestigious education accessible. Check our guide on the most expensive Private Schools UK to see how these fees compare with other elite institutions.

• 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 15^th December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: Tuesday 6^th January 2026 to Friday 13^th February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23^rd February 2026 to Thursday 26^th March 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: Tuesday 20^th April 2026 to Friday 22^nd May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 1^st June 2026 to Wednesday 8^th July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and North London Collegiate School Official Website.