Over 75,000 children use Atom – the award-winning online learning platform for ages 7–11. As well as helping children get to grips with the national curriculum, many families use Atom to prepare for entrance exams.
Getting a place at a competitive senior school is never easy, but it's easier with Atom. Tailored mock tests, adaptive learning content, and detailed progress data help children feel confident for their exams. And the results speak for themselves – 86% of Atom users have been offered a place at their top-choice school.
Wondering which schools Atom subscribers are applying to? We've listed the 20 most popular target schools below.
20 most popular schools on Atom
1. Eton College
Eton College is a world-famous boarding school in Windsor for boys aged 13–18. It’s also extremely competitive, with over 1,000 children applying for 120 places in Year 9.
Children applying to Eton need to take two assessments to be considered for a place. Every child who applies to Eton takes the ISEB Common Pre-Test in the autumn term of Year 6. Shortlisted children then take a bespoke online ability test called the Eton List Test the following spring/summer. Children also have an interview with a member of staff.
Pictured: a reading comprehension question from an Eton List Test mock test on Atom
2. Westminster School
Westminster School is a historic independent school in Central London, next to Westminster Abbey. It educates boys aged 13 to 18 (with a prep school for younger boys) and welcomes girls into the sixth form.
The 13+ entry process at Westminster School has two stages. First, children take the ISEB Common Pre-Test during October or November in Year 6. Children who have performed well in their test, and who have an exemplary report from their current school, are invited to the second stage. This consists of an interview and English and maths tests.
Pictured: a maths question from an Westminster School 13+ stage 2 mock test on Atom
3. St Paul’s Girls’ School
St Paul’s Girls’ School (SPGS) is an independent day school in West London for girls aged 11 to 18. It’s ranked first out of all schools in the UK based on pupils’ exam results.
All children applying for 11+ entry to SPGS take an online cognitive abilities test known as CEM Select in November in Year 6. Successful children then take English, maths and comprehension papers the following January. Finally, shortlisted children are invited to an interview later the same month.
Pictured: an anagrams question from a CEM Select mock test for St Paul's Girls' School on Atom
4. St Paul’s School
St Paul’s School is an independent school in southwest London for boys aged 7 to 18. It consists of a junior school for ages 7–13 and a senior school for ages 13–18. Students’ exam results place St Paul’s second out of all schools in the UK.
There is a three-stage assessment process for 13+ entry to St Paul’s. First, all children take the ISEB Common Pre-Test in the autumn of Year 6. Selected children then sit written English and maths assessments in January. Finally, shortlisted children are invited to an interview between January and June.
Pictured: a question from an Atom mock test for the St Paul's School second stage maths exam
5. Wellington College
Wellington College is a co-educational day and boarding school in Berkshire for ages 13 to 18. It’s well known for its beautiful 400-acre site and its vibrant co-curricular programme. Around 80% of students board at Wellington.
Children applying for 13 plus entry to Wellington College take the ISEB Common Pre-Test in either Year 6 or Year 7. Shortlisted children are then invited to spend a selection day at the school, which involves taster lessons and activities.
Pictured: a non-verbal reasoning question from an Atom mock test for the ISEB Common Pre-Test
6. City of London School
City of London School (CLS) is a boys’ day school in an iconic location next to the Millennium Bridge. Students at CLS benefit from excellent links and partnerships with London’s leading institutions. The school is currently ranked within the top five boys’ schools in the UK.
11 plus is the main entry point for City of London School. Children applying for 11+ entry take an online test created by Atom Assessments and have a short creative writing task. Shortlisted children are then invited to an interview.
Pictured: a non-verbal reasoning question from an Atom Assessments 11+ familiarisation exercise
7. The Godolphin & Latymer School
Godolphin & Latymer is an independent day school in Hammersmith, West London, for girls aged 11 to 18. Students can choose to study for either A levels or the IB Diploma Programme in the sixth form, and in 2022, the school was named ‘International Baccalaureate School of the Year’ by the Sunday Times.
Godolphin & Latymer is a member of the London 11+ Consortium. All schools in the Consortium use the same 11+ entrance exam created by Atom Assessments. Children who apply to Godolphin & Latymer and perform well in the assessment are invited back for an interview.
Pictured: an English comprehension question from an Atom Assessments 11+ familiarisation test
8. Latymer Upper School
Latymer Upper School is a large day school in Hammersmith, West London, for boys and girls aged 11 to 18. The school has a strong ethos of social inclusivity, with over 300 children receiving financial support with fees from 2024.
Children applying for 11 plus entry to Latymer Upper School take bespoke English and maths tests, set by the school, in December in Year 6. Selected children are then invited back in January for an interview and immersive classroom activities.
Pictured: a question from a Latymer Upper School 11+ maths mock test on Atom
9. Brighton College
Brighton College is a large independent school on the coast in Brighton, East Sussex. It caters for boys and girls aged 3 to 18 with a pre-prep school, a prep school, and a senior school. In 2020, the Sunday Times named Brighton College the ‘Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Decade’.
Children applying for 11+ entry to Brighton College are invited to an academic assessment day in December in Year 6. This consists of tests in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. All children are also invited to an interview and activities day in January.
Pictured: a question from an 11 plus verbal reasoning mock test on Atom
10. Harrow School
Harrow School is a prestigious boarding school in northwest London for boys aged 13 to 18. It’s well known for its famous former pupils (including many Prime Ministers), extensive sports programme, and excellent exam results.
All children applying for 13+ entry to Harrow take the ISEB Common Pre-Test in the autumn in Year 6. Shortlisted children then take the Harrow Test in the autumn in Year 7, which consists of interviews, a classroom activity, and an online English and maths test. The school then makes conditional offers, which are guaranteed following further exams in Year 8.
Pictured: an English question from a Harrow School mock test on Atom
11. Hampton School
Hampton School is an independent day school in southwest London for boys aged 11 to 18. The school provides all-round education with excellent teaching, dedicated pastoral care, and an exciting co-curricular programme.
Children applying for 11+ entry to Hampton School have written exams and an interview. There are three papers: English, words and reasoning, and maths.
Pictured: a question from a Hampton School: words and reasoning mock test on Atom
12. The Henrietta Barnett School
The Henrietta Barnett School is a grammar school in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, for girls aged 11 to 18. The school is well known for its academic excellence and is ranked first out of all state schools in the country for students’ exam results.
Children applying to The Henrietta Barnett School have a two-stage entrance process. All children take the 11 plus exam, administered by GL Assessments, in September in Year 6. Shortlisted children are then invited back in October for bespoke English and maths tests.
Pictured: a question from a Henrietta Barnett 11+ mock test on Atom
Free 11+ practice papers
Applying to a grammar school? Prepare for GL Assessment 11+ exams with this free 11+ practice paper bundle! Includes tests in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
13. Wycombe Abbey
Wycombe Abbey is a private boarding school for girls in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. It’s well known for its beautiful countryside campus and students’ excellent exam results. The school is currently ranked within the top five girls’ independent schools in the UK.
All children applying to Wycombe Abbey take the CAT4 test – an online cognitive abilities test – in November in Year 6. Shortlisted children are then invited to an assessment day, consisting of an interview, group activities and English and maths tests.
Pictured: a verbal reasoning question from a CAT4 Level D mock test on Atom
14. Alleyn’s School
Alleyn’s School is a large independent day school in Dulwich, South London, for boys and girls aged 4 to 18. Students at Alleyn’s benefit from both outstanding teaching and an extensive range of co-curricular activities, with more than 180 clubs and societies to choose from.
Children applying for 11 plus entry to Alleyn’s take written tests in English, maths and reasoning in January in Year 6. Children who perform well in these tests, and who have an exemplary school report, are invited back for a group activity and an interview.
Pictured: a question from an Alleyn's School 11+ reasoning mock test on Atom
15. Dulwich College
Dulwich College is a prestigious day and boarding school in Dulwich, South London, for boys aged 2 to 18. It consists of a kindergarten and infants’ school (DUCKS), a junior school, and a senior school. Dulwich College has an excellent academic reputation, with students offered places at the world's top universities.
11 plus and 13 plus are the main entry points to Dulwich College. Children have online tests in English, maths, reasoning and problem-solving, a creative writing paper, and an interview (shortlisted children only).
Pictured: a verbal reasoning question on an Atom Assessments 11+ familiarisation exercise
16. Tiffin School
Tiffin School is a large boys’ grammar school in Kingston-upon-Thames. It’s well known for high academic standards and a vibrant programme of co-curricular activities. Tiffin has a national reputation for music and has been granted ‘Arts College’ status.
Children applying for a place in Year 7 at Tiffin School take the 11 plus in September in Year 6. All children take the first stage in early October, which consists of multiple-choice GL Assessment 11+ English and maths papers. Selected children are then invited to take the second-stage tests in November, consisting of written English and maths papers.
Pictured: a question from a Tiffin School second stage maths mock test on Atom
17. Tonbridge School
Tonbridge School is a private day and boarding school for boys aged 13 to 18 in Tonbridge, Kent. The school is famous for its academic achievement, with students offered places at the world’s best universities and colleges. Tonbridge is currently ranked within the top five boys’ independent schools in the UK.
Children applying for a place in Year 9 at Tonbridge take the ISEB Common Pre-Test and visit the school for an assessment afternoon in Year 6. They then take a final entrance exam in March in Year 7, which consists of a maths paper, a writing paper, and a short interview.
Pictured: a question from an Atom mock test for the Tonbridge School second stage maths exam
18. Winchester College
Winchester College is a boys' boarding school in the cathedral city of Winchester, Hampshire, with a mixed sixth form. It was founded in 1382 and is one of the most distinguished schools in the world. Students are inspired to develop five key qualities known as Character, Conversation, Curiosity, Foresight, and Leadership.
Children applying for 13 plus entry to Winchester College take the ISEB Common Pre-Test in the autumn term of Year 6. Selected children are then invited to an interview in the spring term.
Pictured: a verbal reasoning question from an Atom mock test for the ISEB Common Pre-Test
19. The Tiffin Girls’ School
The Tiffin Girls’ School is a girls’ grammar school in Kingston-upon-Thames. The school places a lot of value on developing well-rounded young adults, with a wide range of extracurricular activities for students to get involved in. Exam results are also outstanding and the school is ranked second out of all girls’ state schools in the UK.
Children applying for a place in Year 7 at The Tiffin Girls’ School take a two-stage entrance process in Year 6. All children sit multiple-choice GL Assessment 11 plus papers in English and maths in early October. Shortlisted children are then invited back to take written English and maths papers in November.
Pictured: An English question from a Tiffin Girls' School 11+ stage one mock test on Atom
20. Highgate School
Highgate School is a private day school near Hampstead, north London, for boys and girls aged 4 to 18. It consists of a pre-prep, a junior school, and a senior school. Highgate provides “high-calibre, academically-minded teaching with a focus on scholarship and independence for all”. It’s currently ranked within the top five co-ed independent schools in the UK.
Children applying for 11 plus entry to Highgate sit an entrance exam in December in Year 6. This consists of English, maths, and non-verbal reasoning papers. Shortlisted children then return to the school for a group interview and taster lessons in January.
Pictured: a question from an Atom mock test for the Highgate School 11+ entrance exam
How to prepare for school entrance exams
Is your child applying to a selective secondary school? Prepare for entrance exams the smart way with Atom.
Build knowledge
Watch your child enjoy revising as they get confident with the exam content. Unlock over 90,000 interactive questions in English, maths, science and reasoning, and collect coins to customise Ato – your friendly learning companion.
Learn at your own pace
Bitesize learning is best for success! Atom’s adaptive algorithm ensures that your child sees the right level of content to keep them challenged and motivated.
Refine exam technique
Feel ready for entrance exams with unlimited mock tests that match your target school’s exams. Unlock replica tests for the ISEB, CAT4, CEM Select, GL Assessment 11+, and school-specific assessments.
Track progress
Keep an eye on your child’s progress on your parent dashboard. See their performance compared to other applicants to the same school. Easily set tasks for them to complete, or let Atom’s algorithm do it for you.
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