Year 7 Admissions Entry Test
Frequently Asked Questions:
This document covers the most commonly asked questions by parents/guardians who are seeking admission for their child into Y7 for the coming year. If you have questions that are not covered in this document or in our admissions criteria policy, please email the school on: Admissions@stjosephsmail.com
What type of test is the entrance test?
The test comprises of 2 papers. Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning. The test is multiple choice and standardised.
- Verbal is 50 minutes
- Non-Verbal is 40 minutes
Where can I buy practice papers?
The test is multiple choice and standardised. Practice papers can be obtained from
WH Smith or online either through Amazon or Ebay (11+).
What is the test out of?
As the test is standardised, there is not a definitive number of questions that each child needs to complete. It is important that we have the correct date of birth of your child so that the marking scheme can be applied correctly. This makes it fair for a child who is born towards the end of the academic year, taking the same test as a child born at the beginning of the academic year.
What grade did my child have in the test?
We do not give the grade – any child who reaches 105 or above will be asked to complete the application form on line from our website with Admissions+. The link will be sent via email to the email that you registered your child to sit the entrance test.
Where is the Certificate of Practice Form that Catholics complete?
The link to this form will be in the email informing you that your child reached the required mark of 105. It can also be found on the Birmingham Archdiocese website. The certificate can be downloaded by you or your parish priest to complete and sign. http://www.bdes.org.uk/admissions.html.
You will need to upload this certificate to your application.
Which documents do I need to make my application if Catholic?
You will be sent a link to complete your application when you are informed that your child reached the required mark of 105 in the entrance test. At the end of the application you will be asked to upload your child’s baptismal certificate and the certificate of practice.
- If you are a non-Catholic, the process is the same as above, but you will only need to upload your child’s baptism certificate if applicable. If you wish to submit a reference from your minister of religion, that is also acceptable.
When will I know if my child has been awarded a place?
All parents will be sent a letter from their Local Authority on 1st March to inform them which school their child has been awarded.
What if I don’t want the school that I have been awarded but still wish to come to St Joseph’s College?
You will need to email or write into the College informing us that you wish to appeal and ask for an appeal form. Appeal information and time line is on our website under admissions.
What if my child did not reach the required mark of 105 and I would still wish my child to attend St Joseph’s College?
If your child did not reach the required mark of 105, you will not be able to put us as an option on the Local Authority Form, or make an online application, but if you wish to appeal then the process is the same as above.
