Entrance Assessment

We require all Toddler and Preschool enquiries to visit the Nursery to meet our staff prior to an offer of a place.

The entrance assessment to join Primary 1 is a computer-based assessment covering English, Maths, Reading and Phonics. The assessment will be administered on an individual basis. Prospective pupils will be asked a series of questions and will respond by pointing or saying the answer out loud.  The assessment will adapt to the ability of each child and is around 20 minutes.

Children will also be invited to stay for a 20-minute play session with 3-4 other children and one of our Lower School or Nursery teachers.

For August Entry

The entrance assessment to join Primary 2 for the following academic year in August is a computer-based assessment covering English, Maths, Reading and Phonics. The assessment will be administered on an individual basis. Prospective pupils will be asked a series of questions and will respond by pointing or saying the answer out loud.  The assessment will adapt to the ability of each child and is around 20 minutes.

For Mid-year Entry

The entrance assessment to join Primary 2 in the middle of an academic year is a computer-based assessment covering Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is multiple choice and will adapt to the ability of each child. The assessment is around 1 hour and 40 minutes.

The entrance assessment to join Primary 3-7 is a computer-based assessment covering Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is multiple choice and will adapt to the ability of each child. The assessment is around 1 hour and 40 minutes.

After sitting the entrance assessment, pupils will also be given the opportunity to spend the remainder of the day with one of our classes.

For August Entry

The entrance assessment to join Senior 1 for the following academic year in August is a combination of written and computer-based assessments in English, Maths, Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning.

The entrance assessment to join S1 is around 3 hours. There will be short breaks and refreshments provided.

For Mid-year Entry

The entrance assessment to join Senior 1 in the middle of an academic year comprises written papers in English and Maths which take around 1.5 hours in total to complete.

Pupils will also be given the opportunity to spend the remainder of the day in class after sitting the entrance assessment.

The entrance assessment to join Senior 2 comprises written papers in English and Maths which take around 2 hours in total to complete.

Pupils will also be given the opportunity to spend the remainder of the day in class after sitting the entrance assessment.

For August Entry

The entrance assessment to join Senior 3 for the following academic year in August comprises written papers in English and Maths which take around 2 hours in total to complete.

Pupils will also be given the opportunity to spend the remainder of the day in class after sitting the entrance assessment.

For Mid-year Entry

The entrance assessment to join Senior 3 in the middle of an academic year comprises written papers in English, Maths and a Science of the applicant’s choice. Candidates will also have short interviews with a member of our Upper School Leadership Team and with the Heads of Faculty for their 5 remaining subject choices. The entrance assessment to join S3 during the academic year is around 2.5 hours.

Pupils will also be given the opportunity to spend the remainder of the day in class after sitting the entrance assessment.

The entrance assessment to join Senior 4 for the following academic year in August comprises written papers in English and Maths.  Candidates will also have short interviews with a member of our Upper School Leadership Team and the Heads of Faculty for their 5 remaining subject choices in order to determine whether a move at this stage during a two-year course would be advisable. The entrance assessment to join S4 for the following academic year is around 2.5 hours.

Pupils will also be given the opportunity to spend the remainder of the day in class after sitting the entrance assessment.

Entrance to Senior 5 and 6 is based on predicted/mock exam grades at National 5/(i)GCSE level, informal interviews with a member of the Upper School Leadership Team and with Heads of Faculty of subjects each candidate wishes to study.

Pupils will also be given the opportunity to spend the remainder of the day in class.

If a candidate has previously followed a different education system, they will be assessed in some of the subjects that they wish to study.  

We do not provide past papers; our entrance assessments are designed to assess your child’s current knowledge and determine if they will be able to access our curriculum at the expected level. Applicants do not need to revise for the entrance assessment.

Albyn School endeavours to replicate every pupil’s normal way of working when they sit our entrance assessment. Please make our admissions team aware of any access requirements your child receives at their current school well in advance. 

Applicants apply only once per year group; our assessment results are considered valid for a 6 month period.

We do not provide detailed feedback on entrance assessments or bursary applications.

It is often possible for your child to sit our entrance assessment in their current school and our admissions team would contact your child’s current school to arrange this.