Bedford School 7 Plus (7+) Exam Guide

About Bedford School

Bedford School is a boys’ school, and its Prep admits boys at 7+ into Year 3. The school describes the Years 3 and 4 intake as a school within a school for boys aged 7 and 8.

Entry runs over two January dates: an Activities Morning on the Saturday, then the assessments proper on the Monday.

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

• School type: boys only, Bedford; 7+ enters Year 3 of the Prep
• Assessed: English, mathematics and underlying ability
• Activities Morning: Saturday 9 January 2027
• Assessments: Monday 11 January 2027
• Registration deadline: 1 December 2026; fee £150
• Offers: Wednesday 10 February 2027 by 4pm; acceptance by Wednesday 3 March 2027
• A confidential reference is required from your son’s current headteacher
• Bursaries are not available at 7+; support starts at Year 7, Year 9 or Year 12

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

Register by 1 December 2026, then your son attends the Activities Morning on Saturday 9 January 2027 and the assessments on Monday 11 January. Offers arrive by 4pm on 10 February, with acceptance due by 3 March.

Plan the finances on full fees at this stage. The school’s bursary page is explicit that support can be applied for when a son is entering Year 7, Year 9 or Year 12, which rules out 7+.

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

Register through bedfordschool.org.uk with the £150 fee by 1 December 2026. A confidential reference is requested from your son’s current headteacher, so let his school know your plans in the autumn term.

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

English, mathematics and what the school calls underlying ability, plus the separate Activities Morning. The school doesn’t specify whether the papers are written or on-screen, so prepare on paper and treat a screen as a bonus.

Underlying ability at this age usually means reasoning: the capacity to spot patterns and solve unfamiliar problems rather than recall taught content. Light verbal reasoning practice covers it without over-preparing.

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

• Cover English and maths thoroughly, then add light verbal reasoning for the underlying-ability element
• Two separate January dates means two visits; plan the logistics early
• Tell your son’s current head in the autumn, as the reference is required
• Budget on full fees; there is no bursary route at 7+ here
• Register well before 1 December, which is earlier than several Bedford rivals

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

Our 7+ English, maths and verbal reasoning packs below cover the assessed subjects with full answers for marking together, and the reasoning pack is the closest match for the underlying-ability element. Weekly practice from the autumn suits a January assessment well.