Your school guide
Cheltenham College
Cheltenham’s Year 7 route is at the separate Prep School, using CAT4 and English and maths papers; Senior College entry comes later.
Independent school · Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Prepare with confidence.
Explore the entry route to Cheltenham College below. Supporting a younger child with the 11+ too? Discover Plusling’s original questions, clear explanations and friendly daily practice.
Try five free questions. See the feedback for yourself.
Meet the school
At a glance
Facts checked
Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 7LD
Plan your approach
Entry information
Cheltenham College is the senior school for ages 13–18, with main entry at Year 9 (13+), Year 10 and Year 12; it has no direct Year 7 entry. A Year 7 place is at the separate Cheltenham Prep. The group’s June 2026 policy describes Prep Year 7/8 assessment as CAT4 plus English and maths papers (and an EAL paper where relevant). Prep Year 7/8 pupils normally progress to the Senior College at Year 9 only subject to the policy’s stated conditions; contact Prep admissions about current availability and dates.
Entry stage: Year 7/8 at Cheltenham Prep (separate school); Senior College begins at Year 9
What the assessment covers
- CAT4 cognitive ability assessment
- English
- Mathematics
- English as an Additional Language (where relevant)
Assessment provider: GL Assessment CAT4, Cheltenham College papers
The admissions process
- For Year 7, contact the separate Cheltenham Prep admissions team
- The current group policy describes CAT4 and English/maths papers for Prep Years 7–8
- Check with Prep admissions for the current year’s dates and availability
- Senior College begins at Year 9; Prep-to-College progression is subject to stated conditions
Read the official details: Admissions information from School admissions authority
Go to the source
Official links for your shortlist
Use the school’s current admissions information to check which sample papers or familiarisation materials apply to your child’s entry year.
Know what to expect
Follow the school’s assessment guidance.
Cheltenham Prep’s Year 7 and Year 8 applicants take English and maths papers alongside CAT4. The Senior College begins in Year 9. The subject suggestions below relate to the Prep papers; GL Assessment advises against practising for CAT4.
Read the official guidance: School admissions authority · GL Assessment
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 quizKeep 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.
Follow the assessment guidance
Check what the school asks your child to do and whether it recommends any preparation. Use its own instructions and the assessment provider’s advice.
Check fees and financial support
Look at fees, bursaries and scholarships, including any separate forms, evidence and deadlines.
Picture your child’s everyday life here.
An open day is a chance to look beyond the exam. Useful questions to take with you:
- How do you help new pupils settle in and make friends?
- Who can a child turn to when they feel worried or stuck?
- How do you help pupils recover from a setback and discover their strengths?
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
For families preparing for the 11+
Discover a friendlier way to practise.
Try Plusling together. Five free questions, clear explanations and a useful first step for your family’s 11+ preparation.
Before you apply
- Year 7 applicants need Cheltenham Prep, a separate school. Ask Prep Admissions about current places and assessment dates; later movement to the Senior College is subject to the policy’s conditions.
Plusling’s guide to Cheltenham College is independently written. The school and its admissions authority publish the official arrangements.
Contains government school-register data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Primary sources
- Cheltenham College: school details Department for Education
- Admissions journey and school divisions School admissions authority
- Cheltenham Prep admissions School admissions authority
- Current College and Prep admissions policy School admissions authority
- CAT4 information for parents GL Assessment