Sutton Second Stage Entrance Exam - September 2027 entry
All information contained is relevant to students applying for September 2027 admissions.
[updated 16.03.26]
The following grammar schools participate in the SETs:
Second Stage Entrance Examination
The Second Stage Entrance Examination will take place between the end of September 2027 to early October 2027 .
Boys and girls sit separate Second Stage Entrance Examinations. Girls will take a combined examination for Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls, while boys will sit a combined examination for the participating boys’ schools.
Results from the Maths and English papers are combined to produce an overall score, which is subsequently standardised. The pass mark is determined by the participating schools, meaning that each school may set its own threshold for progression.
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A shared Second Stage test is used by Sutton Grammar School, Wallington County Grammar School, and Wilson’s School.
The assessment consists of two papers:
Maths (45 minutes):
The Maths paper follows a standard format. Marks are awarded only for correct final answers, with no marks given for working out.English (1 hour):
The English paper typically includes an extended writing task. However, it is worth noting that in 2025 there was an unexpected change to the boys’ exam format, which also included a standard comprehension paper. -
For girls that pass the SET:
Girls that pass the SET will be invited to sit the Nonsuch and Wallington Second Stage Entrance Examination (NWSSEE). This is a joint entrance exam that is held by both Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls.
The NWSSEE will consist of two papers that will not be multiple choice, each 40 - 50 minutes long. The pass marks will be determined after the papers have been marked. The final mark will be a total of the standardised SET score and the standardised test scores for the NWSSEE Maths and NWSSEE English
NWSSEE Maths
The Maths paper will consist of a standard format paper, there will be no marks awarded for working out and students will only gain marks for a final correct answer for each question.
NWSSEE English
There will be no comprehension paper. The task will consist of a continuous piece of writing from one of the following forms:
- Continuation of a fiction extract
- Letter
- Report
- Response to a picture stimulus
- Speech
- Story
- Website contribution
Pass Mark
The scores from the SET will be combined with the scores from the Second Stage Entrance Exam and a pass mark will be set by each participating school, based on their individual Admissions Criteria. Please refer to the individual schools to determine how the scores from both tests will be used by each school to set their pass mark.
If your child is successful and passes for any of the participating schools then they can be considered for a place at the school and can choose to include the respective school on their Common Application Form.
Your child will receive their offers for any of the schools listed on the Common Application Form on National Offer Day on March 1 2027
Test Dates:
Stage 1 Assessment
Tuesday 15th September 2026 - Selective Eligibility Test (SET)
Stage 2 Assessent
Saturday 26th September 2026 - Stage 2 for Nonsuch High School for Girls, and Wallington High School for Girls
Saturday 3rd October 2026 - Stage 2 for Wilson’s School, Wallington County Grammar School, and Sutton Grammar School
