Your shared admissions guide
Torbay selective schools test
Torbay’s three grammar schools use the same selection test results for Year 7 entry. The Spires College also uses the shared result for its selective stream.
Prepare with confidence.
Prepare for Torbay selective schools test with confidence. Use Plusling to strengthen core skills, learn from each explanation and see where to focus next, alongside the official assessment guidance.
Try five free questions. See the feedback for yourself.
Plan your approach
Year 7 entry
For September 2027 entry
Shared GL Assessment English and mathematics selection tests; children sit the tests once for participating Torbay schools.
Assessment provider: GL Assessment
What the assessment covers
- English
- Mathematics
One test result is used by the three grammar schools and The Spires College selective stream.
The schools run their own admissions decisions using the shared result.
The Spires College is a partially selective participant outside the grammar index.
Check each school’s admission policy in addition to registering for the test.
Go to the source
Official information and familiarisation
Make every question count
Go beyond getting the answer right.
Give your child a place to have a go, understand a mistake and try again. Plusling’s explanations help you turn a difficult question into something to work on together.
- Original questions across four 11+ subjects
- Clear explanations to revisit together
- Short practice that fits around school and tutoring
From subjects to skills
Turn the assessment subjects into a practice plan.
Start with these core skills from the published subject list. Pair the official assessment material with regular Plusling practice.
English
A useful place to start
Read a short passage together. Ask your child to find evidence for an answer and explain unfamiliar words in context.
Build on it with Plusling
Build on that reading with Plusling’s English questions and explanations, then choose a topic to practise again.
Start the 5-question English quizMaths
A useful place to start
Ask your child to explain their method, estimate the answer and check the final calculation. Notice which step needs more practice.
Build on it with Plusling
Use Plusling’s original maths questions and worked explanations to make those next practice sessions count.
Start the 5-question maths quizPrint, practise, build confidence
Printable practice for this test
Original Plusling papers with space to work and separate answers and explanations.
English papers
Explore the papers
Maths papers
Explore the papersThese are Plusling skills practice, not official school or test papers.
Keep the practical steps clear
Your application starting points
Use the official links on this page to answer these questions for your child’s entry year.
Check the entry point and eligibility
Confirm the year group, age requirements and any conditions that apply to your child.
Put the right dates in your diary
Note any published registration, assessment, application and offer-response dates that apply to your child’s route. They may be separate steps.
Check the assessment guidance
If an assessment applies, look for official examples, question formats, timings and answer instructions to help plan your child’s preparation.
Check each school’s application steps
A shared assessment may still involve separate school applications, preferences, interviews or supplementary forms.
Know where to focus
Give their preparation a clear direction.
See the topics your child has practised, revisit questions that need another look and choose a focus for the next session. Plusling helps you put your time where it can be useful.
- Topic summaries and practice history
- Choose topics in Focus Practice
- Progress to discuss with the adults helping them
Explore your options
Schools in this route
These are the participating schools currently included in the Plusling Index. Read each school’s entry arrangements alongside the shared assessment information.
Their next step starts here
Give their 11+ preparation a confident start.
Try Plusling together. Five free questions, useful feedback and a first look at a friendlier way to practise.
This is an independent Plusling guide. The admissions authority and participating schools publish the official arrangements.
Primary sources
- Apply for a secondary school place - Torbay Council Torbay Council
- Torquay Girls Grammar School - Selection Tests Torquay Girls’ Grammar School
- GL Assessment free 11+ familiarisation materials GL Assessment