St Paul's Girls' School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

St Paul's Girls' School is a selective independent school for girls in Brook Green, Hammersmith. Established in 1904, it serves 780+ students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).​

Ranked among the best independent schools in the UK, SPGS delivers stellar results. The St Paul's Girls' School ISI report also rates the school as "Excellent".

SPGS distinguishes itself with pioneering School Directed Courses, replacing standard GCSEs to foster genuine intellectual curiosity. This bespoke approach empowers students to explore passions beyond the syllabus through the unique St Paul’s Program, blending scholarly rigour with the creative independence characteristic of every Paulina.

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

School Details

• Type of School: Independent School
• Boarding Type: No Boarding (Day School)
• Gender Type: Girls
• Religion: None (Non-denominational)
• Age Range: 11–18 years
• Number of Pupils (Total): 820+
• St Paul's Girls' School GCSE Results (2025): 94% achieved Grade 9–8
• St Paul's Girls' School A-Level Results (2025): 87.04% achieved A*–A
  

Admissions Details

• Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 115
• Exam Board: CEM + Internal Assessment
• Number of Stages: 3
• School Catchment Area: No
• Sibling Policy: No
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

​Preparing for the St Paul's Girls' School open day and managing the admissions timeline requires careful organisation. I have compiled the definitive schedule of St Paul's Girls' School 11 plus exam dates to guide your planning. 

This overview highlights every essential 11+ Exam date, from registration deadlines to the final offers, ensuring you never miss a step. Below is the table of official 11 plus exam dates for the 2025 entry cycle.

​As one of the most sought-after independent schools in Hammersmith, St Paul's Girls' School (SPGS) manages its own rigorous intake. Detailed requirements are outlined on the St Paul's Girls' School Admissions page.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Complete the online form via the school portal to initiate the 11 plus exam registration.
• Pay the registration fee and upload the candidate's birth certificate or passport copy as requested.
• Indicate any interest in bursaries or music scholarships directly within the application before the deadline.
• Submit the form on time to ensure your daughter is eligible for the 11 plus exam process and the 11+ Exam.
• Please note, the school does not offer sibling priority; every applicant must independently meet the academic standard.

In this section, we explore what is in the 11 Plus exam at St Paul's Girls' School. The admissions process for Year 7 entry in September 2026 is rigorous and designed to identify girls with exceptional academic potential and intellectual curiosity. Candidates entering in 2026 will sit their entrance examination in the first week of January 2026.

As stated in the St Paul's Girls' School Admissions Policy, the school conducts a cognitive ability assessment to select students. All registered applicants are invited to the school to sit this on-screen test. Unlike many other consortiums, SPGS manages its own selection process using a bespoke digital platform.

CEM Select Exam Board

St Paul's Girls' School uses the cem select assessment for its entrance exam. Parents often ask what is cem select; it is an adaptive, computer-based test designed to measure potential rather than learned knowledge.

What is the CEM Select exam format? 

The test is divided into short, timed sections where the difficulty adjusts based on the student's real-time performance. 

What subjects are covered under CEM select

The assessment comprehensively evaluates Verbal Ability, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and Numerical Ability. To understand the interface, parents should view the official familiarisation demo for CEM Select.

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CEM Assessment Subjects and Content

The St Paul's Girls' School 11 Plus Test is a single-Written assessments in English, maths and general comprehension. It is heavily time-pressured, requiring students to process information quickly and accurately. The questions are designed to be unpredictable, ensuring that the CEM 11 plus exam tests innate agility.

11+ English (Verbal Ability)

• This section assesses the candidate's vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension skills.
• 11+ exam questions in this module may include cloze text, synonyms, antonyms, and shuffled sentences.
• Proficiency in 11+ English is crucial, as students must identify relationships between words rapidly.

11+ Mathematics (Numerical Ability)

• The Numerical Ability section tests mental arithmetic and problem-solving skills without calculators.
• Questions cover 11+ Mathematics concepts such as fractions, percentages, and number sequences.
• The adaptive Cambridge Select Insight exam ensures that strong mathematicians are stretched with increasingly complex problems.

Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning

• This module evaluates the ability to analyse visual information and solve problems using shapes and diagrams.
• Students must identify patterns, complete sequences, and manipulate 2D and 3D shapes mentally.
• Effective preparation with CEM select practice tests can help students become familiar with these abstract question types.

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Written assessments

Stage 2 consists of written assessments in English, mathematics, and general comprehension, designed to evaluate candidates’ academic ability, problem-solving skills, and depth of understanding across key subjects.

The Interview

Candidates who perform well in the Stage 2 and the CEM 11 plus assessment are invited back for an interview in late January. This session usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes and is a vital part of the selection process. 

The interview is conversational, focusing on the candidate's interests and their ability to think critically. Parents should review PiAcademy’s 11+ interview questions to help their child feel comfortable discussing their ideas and hobbies.

Parent’s Top 2 Queries

What exam board does SPGS follow?

CEM Select (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring).

How long is the 11+ Exam for SPGS?

The computer-based assessment is approximately 90 minutes long.

SPGS does not publish a specific raw score or pass mark for the Stage One Test or Stage Two Test. Students must aim to maximise their 11 plus exam results across all subjects to be considered for 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 St Paul's Girls' School eleven plus exam.

St Paul's Girls' School is widely considered the academic pinnacle for girls' education in the UK. However, securing a place is statistically unlikely, even for gifted children.

I have guided families through the London 11+ system for over 18 years. The competition at SPGS is fierce, with hundreds of brilliant girls vying for roughly 105 places. You simply cannot rely on a single option, no matter how bright your daughter is.

I always advise parents to curate a balanced list of schools. A healthy portfolio includes one "super-selective" state grammar and three or four independent schools with varying exam formats.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Families targeting St Paul's Girls' School typically reside in West or North London. They often look to the London 11+ Consortium schools or other academic heavyweights as backups. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to St Paul's Girls' School

• Godolphin and Latymer: Located just minutes from SPGS, this is the most common alternative for West London families. It uses the London 11+ Consortium process, which simplifies testing by allowing one exam for multiple schools.
• North London Collegiate School (NLCS): This school rivals SPGS in academic intensity and history. It is an ideal choice for girls who thrive on raw intellectual challenge but live further North.
• The Henrietta Barnett School (HBS): As a state grammar, HBS is tuition-free but academically comparable to the elite private sector. It is the perfect financial hedge, though the competition is arguably tougher by volume.
• Latymer Upper School: If you are open to co-education, Latymer Upper offers a similar West London prestige. It provides a slightly more grounded, modern atmosphere while maintaining exceptional academic results.
• City of London School for Girls: Situated in the Barbican, this school appeals to parents working in the City. It offers a fast-paced, high-achieving environment that suits the typical St Paul's candidate well.

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Advisory Note

While St Paul's Girls' School is often the "Gold Standard," the entrance process is unique and highly subjective. The school looks for specific personality traits during the interview that exam prep cannot guarantee.

Applying to a mix of Consortium schools and one state grammar ensures your daughter has high-quality options. This strategy mitigates the risk of focusing solely on one hyper-competitive outcome.

​The 11+ entrance process for St Paul's Girls' School involves two distinct stages. Stage One is a computer-based cognitive test that assesses candidates on Verbal ability, Non-Verbal ability, and Numerical ability. This on-screen assessment focuses on identifying potential rather than just learned knowledge.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the St Paul's Girls' School 11+ exam past papers shows that the Stage One numerical section emphasizes rapid arithmetic and problem-solving skills. The breakdown below highlights that Numbers and Data interpretation are significant components of this computer-based assessment.

Boost your preparation with our 11 Plus Maths topics-wise Questions. These resources include extensive worksheets and a planner designed to master the 11+ maths topics frequently seen in cognitive tests.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

For the Verbal Reasoning section, the school focuses on vocabulary and logical deduction. Our review of similar 11 plus verbal reasoning assessments indicates that Word Meaning and Letter Codes are heavily weighted.

Enhance your child's skills with our comprehensive verbal reasoning 11 plus resources. These packs provide essential practice on code-breaking and vocabulary to help students navigate the 11 plus exam papers with confidence.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The Non-Verbal Reasoning section tests spatial awareness and pattern recognition. Analysis suggests that identifying relationships between shapes, such as Analogies and Odd One Out, is crucial for success.

Prepare effectively using our 11 plus non verbal reasoning packs. These materials cover all key areas, including 3D shapes, ensuring your child is ready for what is on the non verbal reasoning 11 plus exam.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for St Paul's Girls' School - Stage One Test?

We recommend the following resources to master the cognitive skills required for Stage One. Check out our website to download the latest 2026 11 plus exam papers.

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What are the 11+ Exam Maths topics covered in Stage Two Test?

Successful candidates from Stage One are invited to sit the Stage Two entrance examinations in English, Mathematics, and Comprehension. This stage is written and demands high academic proficiency.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Based on the analysis of the Stage Two 11+ past papers, the maths paper is rigorous. Problem Solving and Advanced Algebra dominate, often requiring multi-step written solutions rather than simple answers.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

The Stage Two English assessment includes separate Comprehension and Writing tasks. The 11+ english past papers analysis shows that Reading Comprehension requires deep analytical skills, while the Creative Writing section demands originality and structured expression.

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Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for St Paul's Girls' School - Stage Two Test?

To excel in the Stage Two written exams, students must practice with challenging standard format papers. We strongly advise using the following resources to prepare for the 11 plus maths papers and English requirements.

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St Paul's Girls' School is notoriously competitive, making strategic preparation vital for success. Sitting a St Paul's Girls' School 11 plus mock exam helps students acclimatise to the high-pressure environment. These sessions are crucial for improving speed and identifying areas needing refinement.

Since St Paul's Girls' School uses a cognitive test for Stage 1 which aligns closely with CEM Select or bespoke computer-based assessments. We recommend the following resources to prepare for this rigorous challenge:

Parents can also download our 11 plus mock test papers pdf free to gauge their daughter's current ability. Securing an 11 plus mock test Hammersmith and Fulham helps candidates handle the exam pressure effectively.

For the 2024/25 academic year, the termly fee is £12,414, covering tuition, lunches, and personal accident insurance. This structure applies to all incoming students, including those entering at Year 7.

The school is committed to social diversity, offering significant St Paul's Girls' School bursaries for eligible families. While music and academic St Paul's Girls' School Scholarships are largely honorary, a means-tested St Paul's Girls' School bursary can cover 100% of fees. 

You can view our guide on the most expensive Private Schools UK to compare these costs with other elite institutions.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Monday 1 September 2025 to Friday 17 October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 3 November 2025 to Friday 12 December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: Thursday 8 January 2026 to Friday 13 February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23 February 2026 to Friday 27 March 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: Tuesday 21 April 2026 to Friday 22 May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 1 June 2026 to Friday 3 July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and St Paul's Girls' School Official Website.