Bedford Modern School 7 Plus (7+) Exam Guide

About Bedford Modern School

Bedford Modern School is a co-educational school in Bedford, and its Junior School admits children at 7+ into Year 3. Candidates must be seven but not yet eight by 31 August of the year they join.

The assessment is deliberately informal, with breaks and refreshments built in, and mixes computerised tests with written work and curriculum-based activity sessions.

Key information for 2027 entry to Bedford Modern School at 7 Plus (7+)

• School type: co-educational, Bedford; 7+ enters Year 3 of the Junior School
• Age rule: seven but not eight by 31 August of the year of entry
• Computerised tests: reading ability, general mathematics and mental arithmetic, and spelling
• Written: a reading comprehension from a passage provided by the school, plus creative writing
• Three further curriculum-based activity sessions
• Assessment: 12 to 14 January 2027
• Results: 10 February 2027; acceptance by 3 March 2027
• Registration fee £150, non-refundable; acceptance deposit £500
• A reference is requested from your child’s current school

Admissions information for 2027 entry to Bedford Modern School at 7 Plus (7+)

The calendar is clear and fully published: assess between 12 and 14 January 2027, results on 10 February, acceptance by 3 March. That is an unusually generous gap between result and decision, which helps if you are weighing more than one Bedford school.

The school keeps the day deliberately low-key, with breaks and refreshments, and asks for a reference from your child’s current school as part of the picture.

How can I register my child for the 7 Plus (7+) assessment at Bedford Modern School?

Register online through bedmod.co.uk with a copy of your child’s birth certificate and the £150 registration fee. A £500 deposit is payable by bank transfer on acceptance.

What is the 7 Plus (7+) assessment format at Bedford Modern School?

Three parts. The computerised tests cover reading ability, general mathematics and mental arithmetic, and spelling. The written work is a reading comprehension from a passage the school provides, plus a piece of creative writing. Three curriculum-based activity sessions complete the day.

Mental arithmetic and spelling being tested by computer is worth preparing for specifically: both reward quick recall rather than working out, and both improve fast with short daily practice.

Bedford Modern School 7 Plus (7+) top tips for your child

• Practise mental arithmetic daily in short bursts; it is tested for speed as well as accuracy
• Keep a running spelling list and revisit it weekly
• Do some practice on a screen as well as on paper, since part of the assessment is computerised
• Write short complete stories to time for the creative writing element
• Diarise the three-day window in January; your child attends within it

How to prepare your child for the 7 Plus (7+) Bedford Modern School assessment

Our 7+ English and maths packs below cover comprehension, creative writing and the number work behind the mental arithmetic, with full answers. A paper of each per week from the autumn arrives at January familiar with every question type.