If you are a parent navigating the 11+ or independent school admissions process this year, I know exactly what your kitchen table looks like right now. It’s likely covered in practice papers, revision guides, and a mounting sense of pressure. You are probably tracking scores, worrying about timing, and wondering if your child is 'ready' for the adaptive online assessments that seem to dictate their future.

A significant change is on the horizon. For students aiming for Year 7 entry in September 2028 (who will sit the exam in September 2027), the Slough Consortium is moving away from GL Assessment and adopting Quest Assessment as their test provider.

We all know the game Jenga. You carefully pull away blocks until the tower eventually collapses under the stress. For many children, traditional exam preparation feels exactly like this. Every difficult mock paper, every misunderstood fraction, and every ticking clock feels like a block being pulled out. Their confidence becomes fragile, and the anxiety takes over.