Second Stage Test FAQs

When is the Sutton Grammar School second stage test?

The Sutton Grammar School second stage entrance test will take place on Saturday 2 October 2021. All boys who have passed the Selective Eligibility Test for Sutton Grammar School will receive an invitation to sit the Sutton Grammar School second stage entrance test.

For entry to Year 7 in September 2023, Sutton Grammar School will be sharing its second stage entrance test with Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School, and the outcome of this second stage test will be used by each of the schools to determine eligibility for places at their school.

Because of the schools' differing admissions criteria, there will be a small number of boys who are eligible for the second stage test at Sutton Grammar School but not at Wilsons' School and Wallington County Grammar School.

Why are Sutton Grammar School, Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School sharing their second stage test?

For September 2023 entry, Sutton Grammar School, Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School have agreed to share their second stage entrance tests. This has the advantage for boys who have passed the Selective Eligibility Test of only requiring them to sit one second stage test, the results of which will be used independently by each school to determine eligibility to be considered for a place there.

There will be a small number of boys who are only eligible for the second stage test at Sutton Grammar School, because of the schools' differing admissions criteria.

There is no current or planned connection between the schools beyond co-operation on our entrance testing arrangements. Sutton Grammar School, Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School remain separate and distinct state funded academy schools.

What is in the shared Sutton Grammar School, Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School second stage test?

There are two elements: an English test and a Mathematics test.

The tests will not include verbal reasoning or non-verbal reasoning.

The tests are not multiple choice.

Can I get specimen papers or sample questions for the shared Sutton Grammar School, Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School second stage entrance test?

No.  We do not provide any sample papers.  The content is based on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum.

What is the pass mark of the Sutton Grammar School, Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School second stage test?

It is not possible to state pass marks in advance of the test. The pass marks will be decided by each individual school after the papers have been marked. Sutton Grammar School, Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School may not necessarily set the same pass mark.

Does my son's score in the Selective Eligibility Test count towards his final score after the second stage test?

Yes. Once the second stage test has been marked, each school will combine the scores of this test with the scores of the Selective Eligibility Test in accordance with its own admissions criteria.

For Sutton Grammar School, four standardised scores will be calculated using: (1) the multiple choice items from the English paper on the Selective Eligibility Test; (2) the multiple choice items from the mathematics paper on the Selective Eligibility Test; (3) the English paper in the second stage test and (4) the mathematics paper in the second stage test. The four standardised scores will be weighted in the ratio 2:2:3:3, an age allowance will be added, and the total rounded to the nearest four marks to give the final score.

Please refer to the Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School website for details of how the scores of the second stage test will be used at that school.

Can my son sit the shared second stage test if he has not sat the Selective Eligibility Test?

No he cannot.  Candidates must sit and meet the required standard in the first stage Selective Eligibility Test to be invited to the shared second stage test.

Are there any other opportunities to sit the second stage test other than on 1 October 2022?

There are no alternative dates to sit the Second Stage Entrance Examination except in the case of illness on the day (a medical certificate covering 1 October 2022 will be required), or if the child is having to self-isolate.

My child has special needs and requires special arrangements for the exam.

You will have already provided details of these when completing the online registration for your child to sit the Selective Eligibility Test.  You will have been informed of the arrangements that will be put in place for your child at the Second Stage Entrance Examination.

I have received an invitation for my son to sit the shared second stage test at a particular school but I am not interested in a place at that school.  

That's fine. The allocation of venue for the Second Stage Entrance Examination has been made so that, where possible, candidates have been allocated a different venue from the one they were allocated for the Selective Eligibility Test, in order to provide candidates and their parents an opportunity to experience different school settings. The venue allocation has no bearing on your ultimate school preference. If you are interested in a place at either Wilson's School, Sutton Grammar School or Wallington County Grammar School your son needs to sit the Second Stage Entrance Examination at the school you have been allocated.

What if I am not interested in a place at any school?

That's fine. Invitations are sent out automatically to all boys who have passed the Selective Eligibility Test for Sutton Grammar School, but if you do not wish your son to sit the Second Stage Entrance Test, please just email us to let us know

If your son does not sit the shared Second Stage Entrance Test, you should not name Sutton Grammar School, Wilson's School or Wallington County Grammar School on your Common Application Form.

When do I find out the outcome of the shared Sutton Grammar School, Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School second stage test?

Each school will send you a separate notification of the outcome of the Second Stage Entrance Test for their school by email to parents/carers before the Common Application Form deadline (31 October 2023).

It is important to note that Sutton Grammar School, Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School have different admissions criteria, and different methods of combining the scores from the SET with the scores of the second stage test - and thereby calculating the final outcome of the entrance tests for our respective schools.

This means that it is possible that a boy may meet the admissions standard for one school and not the other.

The email we send will confirm whether or not your son has met the required standard for Sutton Grammar School.  Candidates who meet the required standard will not be given their marks.  Candidates who do not meet the required standard will be given this information.  Please note that, due to over-subscription, meeting the required standard does not guarantee the offer of a place at Sutton Grammar School.