Your school guide
St John’s College, Cardiff
St John’s College, Cardiff calls its Year 7 intake R12. Applicants take English and mathematics assessments and attend a taster day.
Independent school · Cardiff
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Use Plusling to prepare for 11+ entry to St John’s College, Cardiff. Build skills with original questions, understand the answers and turn tricky topics into your next step forward.
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Meet the school
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Old St Mellons, Cardiff, CF3 5YX
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Entry information
St John’s College, Cardiff calls its Year 7 entry group R12: pupils turn 12 during that academic year. Applicants take English and maths assessments and attend a taster day. The school also considers cognitive ability, the current school’s report and reference, and how the child participates in school life.
Entry stage: R12 (Year 7 / age 11 entry)
What the assessment covers
- English
- Mathematics
The admissions process
- Arrange a visit and register with the school; the admissions process includes a report and reference from your child’s current school.
- Attend a taster day and take English and maths assessments. The school considers academic potential, attitude to learning and interaction with others.
- The school also uses cognitive ability tests as part of assessing suitability for its teaching programme.
- R12 is the first senior-school year and is equivalent to maintained-sector Year 7. Places depend on availability; admissions may be considered during the school year.
Read the official details: Admissions information from St John’s College, Cardiff
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.
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 these subjects
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 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
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.
Admissions information
- Ask St John’s College for current R12 assessment and taster-day dates.
Plusling’s guide to St John’s College, Cardiff 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
- Wales: official school register Welsh Government
- Admissions Process | St John's College Cardiff St John’s College, Cardiff
- Official admissions and assessment information St John’s College, Cardiff
- St John’s College Cardiff admissions policy 2025–26 St John’s College, Cardiff
- St John’s College Cardiff parent handbook 2026–27 St John’s College, Cardiff
- Contact St John’s College St John’s College, Cardiff