The Dorset 11+ parent handbook

Honesty first

What hasn't been published yet

You'll see confident claims online about the new test. These are the things nobody outside the schools and Quest knows yet.

• The exact test date — only “September 2027” so far.
• How many questions each paper has. Quest's sample booklets have 20 questions in 20 minutes each, but the real papers last 40 minutes.
• How Quest scores will be standardised and combined. For 2027 entry, the schools' policies say scores were standardised by age and the three papers' scores totalled — but the 2028 rules aren't out yet.
• The pass mark. It's set each year. For 2027 entry, Poole Grammar's policy says the pass mark is sent to parents with their child's scores after the test.
• The 2028 admissions policies. By law they must be decided by 28 February 2027 and published by 15 March 2027.

Admissions

Who gets the places

When more children reach the standard than there are places, each school ranks them using its oversubscription criteria. These are the 2027-entry rules — read each school's 2028 policy when it's published by 15 March 2027.

Priority groups

All three policies put looked-after and previously looked-after children first. Pupil premium children come next or near the top — for Parkstone and Poole Grammar, that means children eligible for free school meals at any point in the last six years, and Parkstone asks for evidence when you register. If two children tie for the last place, the one living nearer the school gets priority.

Bournemouth School for Girls

After those groups, 100 places go to the highest scorers, then girls in the school's catchment area, then everyone else — by score within each group.

Parkstone and Poole Grammar

Priority goes to children living in the historic Borough of Poole or the postcodes BH12–BH18 and BH21 3, by score within each group.

Appeals

You can't appeal the October eligibility decision itself, but you can appeal if your child is refused a place. Parkstone's appeals are heard by an independent panel arranged through CASAppeals.

Technique

More than one answer, and the answer sheet

Two things about the Quest format catch children out, and both are easy to practise.

Some questions need more than one answer

Quest's instructions say to mark one answer per question unless the question says there is more than one. In its Verbal Reasoning sample, 12 of the 20 questions ask for two answers, and a maths sample question asks for all the answers that fit.

The separate answer sheet

Children draw a clear horizontal line through the box next to their answer. Mistakes should be rubbed out fully — Quest says a good eraser matters as much as a good pencil.

• Read to the end of every question before choosing, and underline the word two or all when it appears.
• Check question numbers on the answer sheet every few questions, so one skipped question doesn't shift every answer after it.
• Practise with the sample booklets' answer sheet — marking, rubbing out and re-marking, until it's automatic.
• Never leave a blank. If stuck, make the best choice, mark it, and come back if there's time.

When to do what

A month-by-month plan to September 2027

This is our suggested plan, not an official timetable — adjust it to your child. The dates in bold are the fixed ones.

1. 1

   Sept – Dec 2026

   Find the starting point

   Take a free diagnostic to see where your child stands. Build a daily reading habit and make times tables automatic. Look at the Quest sample booklets together, just to see the format.

2. 2

   Jan – Mar 2027

   Build the skills

   Short, regular practice across all three papers. Grow vocabulary deliberately. By 15 March 2027 the 2028 admissions policies must be published — read the one for each school you're considering.

3. 3

   Apr – Jun 2027

   Register, then practise under time

   Registration opens in April 2027 — register with one school. If your child may need access arrangements, apply early with the evidence the schools ask for. Start timed 40-minute practice.

4. 4

   Jul – Aug 2027

   Full practice papers

   Full timed practice in the Quest format, answer sheet included. Work on the gaps they show, and keep plenty of rest and fun in the summer.

5. 5

   September 2027

   The test

   The exact date is still to be confirmed. Ease off in the final days, sleep well, and keep the morning calm.

6. 6

   Oct 2027 – Mar 2028

   Results and applying

   Results in mid-October 2027. Apply by 31 October 2027. Offers on 1 March 2028.

On the day

Test day, and access arrangements

Most of this comes straight from Quest's Dorset guidance.

1. 1

   The night before

   Get ready

   Remind your child to read each question carefully and that it's fine to move on if they're stuck. Pack pencils and a good eraser. An early night.

2. 2

   The morning

   Keep it calm

   A proper breakfast, a calm and positive morning, and plenty of time for the journey.

3. 3

   In the room

   What happens

   An invigilator reads instructions before, during and after each paper. Your child gets a question booklet and a separate answer sheet for each paper, and possibly a reading booklet. They stay in the room during the break, speak only to invigilators, and put a hand up if they can't hear or have a question.

How we can help

Where Atlas 11+ comes in

Calm, specialist preparation for the Dorset Quest test — and it starts free.