Queen Ethelburga's College (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​Queen Ethelburga's College is a top co-educational selective independent school in Thorpe Underwood, York. Founded in 1912, it serves 1,200+ students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Ranked among the best independent schools in the UK, QE consistently delivers stellar results. Its latest ISI Rating is "Excellent," You can read the full Queen Ethelburga's College ISI report here.

Named a top Northern independent school by the Sunday Times, QE blends academic rigour with targeted pastoral care via its Thrive@QE programme. Furthermore, students utilise the cutting-edge Genesis Centre, accelerating their skills in science, technology, and engineering. This ensures robust preparation for future careers.

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

School Details

• Type of School: Independent School
• Boarding Type: Boarding
• Gender Type: Co-educational
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 14 to 19
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1200+
• Queen Ethelburga's College GCSE Results (2025): 61% achieved Grades 7-9
• Queen Ethelburga's College A-Level Results (2025): 77% achieved A*-A

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Admissions Details

• Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): Subject to availability
• Exam Board: CAT4
• Number of Stages: 2
• School Catchment Area: No
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

I have compiled the definitive admissions calendar to guide your family. Preparing for the Queen Ethelburga's College open day requires careful early planning. Tracking the Queen Ethelburga's College 11 plus exam dates ensures you meet crucial deadlines.

Understanding your 11+ Exam date helps organise study routines. These 11 plus exam dates, alongside the specific qe 11 plus exam date 2025, clarify your next steps.

As stated on the Queen Ethelburga's College 11 Plus Admissions Page, securing a Year 7 place for 2026 requires careful planning. Parents must complete the 11 plus exam registration promptly.

How to register for 11+ exam

• Complete the online application form for QE on the website to initiate the 11 plus exam process.
• Submit a recent school report acting as a confidential reference from their current headteacher.
• Book the cat4 assessment test, the core component of their 11+ Exam evaluation.
• Act swiftly, as demand at independent schools in North Yorkshire is high for eleven plus exams.
• Familiarise your child with the digital layout of a standard cat4 exam beforehand.

In this section, we explore what is in the 11 Plus exam at Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate King’s Magna. Students entering the school in September 2026 will sit their assessment during 2025.

As stated in the Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate King’s Magna Admissions Policy, the school uses a single assessment.

Cognitive Ability Test (CAT4)

The CAT4 is not an entry exam and does not determine whether the school offers a place. Instead, the results will help the school to place your child in a learning environment that is right for them.

The cat4 test aims to assess developed abilities via Verbal, Non-Verbal, Spatial and Quantitative Reasoning modules.

Verbal Reasoning

The verbal section of the cat4 assessment test evaluates a child's understanding of word relationships. It acts differently from a standard 11+ English paper by focusing on raw linguistic logic.

• Candidates answer 11 plus exam questions based on analogies.
• It tests vocabulary depth and the ability to link concepts.
• The module strictly assesses underlying linguistic potential.
• Questions use a standard multiple-choice format.

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Non-Verbal Reasoning

This section evaluates a student's ability to solve problems using visual patterns. It is an important part of the Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate King’s Magna 11 Plus Test.

• Students identify similarities and differences in visual matrices.
• It requires no prior subject knowledge to complete.
• It measures visual processing speed and accuracy.
• The assessment format strictly uses standard, timed multiple-choice questions.

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Spatial Reasoning

The spatial reasoning module tests how well a child can manipulate shapes in their mind.

• Candidates must visualise how folded paper looks when unfolded.
• It assesses mental rotation and advanced spatial awareness.
• Students must identify target shapes hidden within complex diagrams.
• The questions are strictly multiple-choice and time-pressured.

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Quantitative Reasoning

This module is entirely distinct from a traditional 11+ Mathematics paper. It focuses on discovering numerical patterns rather than testing basic arithmetic fluency.

• Students answer questions about number sequences and relationships.
• It does not test the KS2 National curriculum directly.
• The questions are presented in a straightforward multiple-choice format.
• It evaluates a child's underlying numerical potential.

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The 11+ Interview

QE also conducts a conversational interview to understand the student's interests. This usually lasts around 15 minutes and is very relaxed. Parents should review PiAcademy's 11+ interview questions to effectively help their child prepare.

Parent’s Top 2 Queries

What exam board does QE follow? 

Cognitive Ability Test (CAT4)

How long is the 11+ Exam for QE? 

The assessment is approximately 72 minutes long.

​QE outlines no official pass mark, meaning students must maximise scores across subjects. Achieving 95%+ in PiAcademy’s 11+ Practice Papers ensures they comfortably ace the eleven plus exam.

Queen Ethelburga's College is a fantastic co-educational choice in North Yorkshire. However, competition for places is incredibly fierce. Most successful students prepare a strong backup plan.

I have guided UK families through admissions for over 18 years. I highly advise parents not to rely solely on QE. Unpredictable exam day nerves can easily disrupt your efforts.

A balanced strategy ensures your child remains in an elite academic setting. Here is a comparison of the top five alternative schools frequently chosen by parents.

Why Choose These Alternatives?

• Ripon Grammar School: This is the premier state grammar option nearby. It offers incredible boarding and day education entirely for free.
• St Peter's School: This historic school offers academic prestige similar to QE. The co-educational environment perfectly matches Queen Ethelburga's College experience.
• Bradford Grammar School: This school consistently delivers outstanding exam results. It is ideal for families prioritising strict academic progression.
• Ashville College and Bootham School: Both provide exceptional pastoral care for students. They feature a slightly less stressful entrance process.

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Professional Advisory Summary

Queen Ethelburga's College is a brilliant gold standard for modern independent education. However, with nearly 600 applicants fighting for approximately 150 places, the numbers are tough.

Securing a three-school state grammar strategy and a two-school private strategy is vital. This is the best way to handle the extreme competition successfully.

​Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Many parents ask what is a CAT4 test and how to properly prepare. Analysis of Verbal Reasoning 11+ exam past papers for Queen Ethelburga's shows specific trends. Maths, Making Words, and Missing Words are the primary focus areas.

They collectively account for approximately 75% of the total marks. Practising these specific question types will improve speed and accuracy immensely. This ensures your child builds a robust vocabulary early on.

Elevate your score with our verbal reasoning 11 plus resources, featuring over 1,400+ topic-wise questions. Trusted by 20,000+ students, this pack includes a complete planner. You can also find a useful 11+ verbal reasoning test with answers pdf online.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The CAT4 assessment also includes spatial and 11 plus non verbal reasoning modules. Analysis of past papers shows Odd One Out and Analogies are critical.

Additionally, 2D and 3D Shapes, along with Block Counting, carry significant weightage. Every section is equally vital for securing a high score.

Prepare for NVR success with 1,900+ targeted questions across expert-designed 11+ practice papers. Used by over 20,000+ students, our pack provides instant access to 3D Shapes guides.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate King’s Magna?

Our targeted resources are based on actual past paper questions. They help students familiarise themselves with the exam pattern well before time. We highly recommend using these tailored practice packs for QE.

Using reliable 11 plus maths papers ensures your child is fully prepared for the assessment. Consistent practice builds essential exam confidence.

Securing a place at Queen Ethelburga's College is highly competitive. Therefore, taking 11 plus mock tests is essential for your child's success. It helps familiarise students with the bespoke exam format.

Regular practice tests speed and accuracy under strict exam conditions while identifying weak areas. Finding a reliable 11 plus mock test North Yorkshire ensures QE applicants are fully prepared.

We recommend our tailored preparation materials to mirror this unique assessment. Booking a mock test 11 plus builds vital confidence for the Queen Ethelburga's College 11 plus mock exam.

Parents can easily evaluate their child's current ability by trying an 11 plus mock test online free.

For Year 7 entry at QE, day fees are currently around £6,995 per term. Meanwhile, full boarding options cost families approximately £13,450 each term. These termly costs typically cover core tuition, learning resources, and daily lunches.

The school provides competitive Queen Ethelburga's College Scholarships for exceptional academic and sporting talent. Additionally, a means-tested Queen Ethelburga's College bursary offers vital financial assistance to eligible families.

We urge parents to research private school scholarships bursaries to help manage these costs. Furthermore, check our guide on the most expensive Private Schools UK to view other similar schools.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Tuesday 8^th September 2026 to Friday 16^th October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 2^nd November 2026 to Friday 11^th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: Monday 4^th January 2027 to Friday 5^th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 15^th February 2027 to Friday 19^th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 5^th April 2027 to Friday 28^th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 7^th June 2027 to Friday 25^th June 2027

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Queen Ethelburga's 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 Queen Ethelburga's College.

• CAT4 Familiarisation Materials
• ​UK Govt. - Get Information on Queen Ethelburga's Page​
• ​Queen Ethelburga's College ISI Report​
• ​Queen Ethelburga's College Admissions Policy​
• ​UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data​
• ​Queen Ethelburga's College - Charity Commission​