If you live in or around Reading and are considering a selective secondary school for your child, Reading School and Kendrick School sit at the top of almost every parent's list. Both schools have outstanding reputations, demanding entrance processes, and limited places — which means preparation matters enormously. This guide explains exactly what to expect from each school's admissions process, what the 11 plus tests involve, and how your child can build the skills needed to perform at their best.
About Reading School and Kendrick School
Reading School is a selective boys' grammar school maintained by the local authority and consistently ranked among the top state schools in England. Each year, around 1,800 boys sit the entrance assessment for approximately 150 places — making it one of the most competitive state school admissions in the country. The school has a strong tradition in academic achievement, sport, and the arts, and its sixth form is a pathway for students aiming for Russell Group universities.
Kendrick School is the girls' equivalent — a selective grammar school in Reading with an equally impressive academic record. Kendrick draws applicants from a wide catchment, including families from Wokingham, Bracknell, West Berkshire, and beyond. Like Reading School, competition for places is fierce, and the entrance test requires thorough and sustained preparation.
Both schools are part of the Reading Grammar School Consortium and use the same assessment process, which makes it straightforward to prepare for both simultaneously if you have a daughter who is also a candidate for Kendrick.
Entry Requirements: What the 11 Plus Involves
The Reading School and Kendrick School 11 plus uses GL Assessment (Granada Learning), not CEM. This is an important distinction because GL and CEM tests have different styles, and preparation resources differ between them.
The GL Assessment for entry to these schools typically covers four areas:
- Verbal Reasoning — identifying patterns in words, completing analogies, cracking codes, and understanding vocabulary in context
- Non-Verbal Reasoning — spotting patterns in shapes and figures, identifying the odd one out, and completing sequences
- English — comprehension, grammar, punctuation, and sometimes creative or extended writing
- Maths — arithmetic, number, fractions, geometry, and problem-solving up to and beyond the Year 5 National Curriculum
The tests are taken in the September of Year 6 — meaning children sit the assessment at the very start of their final primary school year. This is a crucial detail for planning: preparation cannot be left to the summer holiday alone.
Results are standardised and ranked. Children who score above the qualifying threshold are considered selective (i.e., deemed able to benefit from a grammar school education). A ranked list is then used to allocate places, with distance from the school used as a tiebreaker where necessary.
How Competitive Is the Admissions Process?
For Reading School, with roughly 1,800 applicants competing for around 150 places, only about one in twelve boys who sit the test will receive an offer. The qualifying score varies slightly from year to year, but historically children have needed to score in approximately the top 8–10% of all applicants to be in the running.
Kendrick School is similarly competitive. Girls from across Berkshire and neighbouring counties apply, and the school's outstanding Ofsted rating and exceptional results at GCSE and A Level mean demand remains very high.
This is not meant to discourage — it is meant to set realistic expectations so that families can plan an adequate preparation timeline. Children who start structured practice 12–18 months before the test, and who practise consistently and strategically, give themselves the best possible chance.
Key Dates: When to Register and When the Test Takes Place
Registration for the 11 plus at Reading School and Kendrick School typically opens in May and closes in June of Year 5 — that is, the academic year before the test is sat. Missing the registration window means missing the opportunity entirely, so add these dates to your calendar well in advance.
The test itself is held in September of Year 6, usually in the first two weeks of the autumn term. Results are typically released in October, and secondary school offers follow through the normal Local Authority co-ordinated admissions process, with National Offer Day on 1 March.
Key dates to plan around:
- January–April, Year 5: Begin structured 11 plus preparation
- May–June, Year 5: Register via the school's admissions process
- Summer, Year 5: Intensify practice; begin timed, test-condition sessions
- September, Year 6: Sit the test
- October, Year 6: Receive results and selective eligibility notification
- October–November, Year 6: Submit secondary school preferences via the LA
- 1 March, Year 7: National Offer Day
Always verify exact dates directly with Reading School and Kendrick School, as these can shift slightly year to year.
What Score Do You Need?
Neither Reading School nor Kendrick School publishes an official pass mark, because scores are standardised after each sitting based on the performance of all candidates. This means there is no fixed number to aim for — the bar moves depending on the cohort.
What we do know from published admissions data and parental experience is that children typically need a standardised score of around 111–114 or above (on a scale where 100 is average) to be considered selective. To receive an offer at a school as oversubscribed as Reading or Kendrick, children generally need to score considerably higher — often in the range of 118–125+, depending on the year.
The practical takeaway: aim for accuracy and speed across all four subject areas, not just the sections your child finds comfortable. Weak verbal reasoning can pull down an otherwise strong performance.
How to Prepare Effectively for the Reading School and Kendrick 11 Plus
Because the test uses GL Assessment, preparation should be closely matched to that format. GL tests have a distinctive question style — particularly in verbal reasoning, where there are around 21 standard question types that appear consistently across papers. Learning to recognise and answer each type fluently is one of the highest-return activities your child can do.
Build Vocabulary Early
Verbal reasoning in GL tests relies heavily on a broad vocabulary. Children who read widely — fiction, non-fiction, news, and quality children's journalism — build the word recognition skills that help enormously with analogy, synonym, and antonym questions. Start encouraging wide reading in Year 4 if possible, long before test preparation begins in earnest.
Practise Maths Beyond the Classroom
Primary school maths in Year 5 does not always cover everything tested at 11 plus level. Children need to be comfortable with:
- Long multiplication and division
- Fractions, decimals, and percentages
- Area, perimeter, and volume
- Basic algebra (finding the value of unknowns)
- Data interpretation (tables, charts, graphs)
- Speed, distance, and time problems
Work through these systematically and address gaps early. Maths is the subject where targeted practice delivers the most consistent score improvements.
Simulate Test Conditions
Timing is as important as accuracy. GL tests are designed to be challenging within the time allowed, and children who have never sat timed practice papers often find the pace a shock on test day. From around six months before the September test, begin doing at least one full timed paper per week. Gradually build up to two or three.
Use the results analytically: look at which question types are causing the most time loss or errors, then drill those specifically rather than repeating full papers indefinitely.
Use Online Practice That Matches GL Format
Applaa 11 Plus Practice provides practice questions and mock tests aligned to the GL Assessment format used in Berkshire. If you are preparing specifically for Reading or Kendrick, the Reading 11 Plus Prep page on Applaa covers the local context in more detail, including what the tests look like and how to pace your preparation. Applaa's mock tests let children practise under real test conditions, building both familiarity and confidence before the actual sitting.
Manage Exam Nerves
A significant number of children who are academically capable underperform because of anxiety on the day. Normalise the test as early as possible — talk about it matter-of-factly, not as a high-stakes event. Ensure your child has had plenty of practice in timed, quiet conditions so that September feels familiar rather than frightening. Breathing techniques and a consistent morning routine on test day both help.
Understanding the Wider 11 Plus Landscape in Berkshire
Berkshire has a number of selective grammar schools beyond Reading and Kendrick, including schools in Slough and Windsor. However, Reading School and Kendrick use a separate consortium test from the Slough and Windsor schools, so families should check which assessment applies to each school they are considering.
The GL Assessment used by Reading and Kendrick is taken on a single date in September. Unlike some other consortium areas, children sit the test at their own school rather than travelling to a central venue. This can make the experience feel slightly less intimidating, though the test itself is no less demanding.
If your child is also applying to independent schools with their own entrance exams (many of which take place in January of Year 6), be mindful that the timelines overlap with the grammar school results and preferences process. Plan carefully to avoid unnecessary stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GL Assessment and CEM?
GL Assessment (used by Reading School and Kendrick) and CEM (used by schools in other areas such as Birmingham and parts of Kent) are different 11 plus providers. GL tests tend to have clearly defined question types that repeat consistently, making them more straightforward to prepare for with targeted practice. CEM tests are designed to be harder to "tutor proof" and include more mixed-format questions. If you are preparing for Reading or Kendrick, focus your practice on GL-style materials.
Can my child resit the Reading School or Kendrick 11 plus?
No. The test is sat once in September of Year 6. There is no resit opportunity. This makes the September test the single chance for entry into Year 7.
Is it worth applying if my child is borderline?
Yes — with the caveat that expectations should be realistic. Some children surprise themselves on the day; others who were predicted to perform well have an off day. If your child genuinely enjoys academic challenge and is working hard in preparation, it is always worth entering. Receiving a selective result (even without an offer due to distance) can also open doors to other selective schools in the area.
What support does Applaa offer for Reading and Kendrick preparation?
Applaa provides AI-powered 11 plus practice tailored to the GL Assessment format. The platform includes verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, and maths question banks, as well as full mock tests with detailed performance breakdowns. It is free to get started, making it accessible to families at every stage of preparation.
When should we start preparing?
Most families who are successful at Reading School or Kendrick begin structured preparation no later than Year 4 or the start of Year 5. The vocabulary building and maths consolidation that underpins a strong GL Assessment score takes time to develop — it cannot be crammed in the weeks before the September test. Starting early, even with short daily sessions, makes a significant difference.
Start Preparing With Applaa — For Free
Reading School and Kendrick School are exceptional schools, and earning a place at either is a genuine achievement. The children who succeed are not necessarily the most naturally gifted — they are the ones who prepared consistently, practised in test conditions, and walked into September feeling ready.
Applaa is built to help exactly those children. Our platform provides structured, curriculum-aligned 11 plus practice in the GL Assessment format, with instant feedback and adaptive question sets that focus your child's effort where it is needed most. There are no subscriptions to set up and no commitment required — you can download Applaa for free and start practising today.
Visit the Reading 11 Plus Prep page for more local guidance, explore our practice question library, or jump straight into a full mock test to see where your child stands right now. Whatever stage of preparation you are at, Applaa is here to help.