Winchester College 13+ Entry & Election Process

Winchester College is historically renowned as one of the most intellectually rigorous schools in the UK. Educating boys for over 600 years, Winchester recently welcomed day pupils and female Sixth Form boarders while preserving its distinct academic atmosphere. For Year 9 (13+) entry, Winchester does not use the standard Common Entrance paper set by other public schools; instead, it sets its own bespoke, highly analytical examinations.

The Three-Stage Winchester Admissions Journey

Around 400 boys apply for approximately 140 Year 9 places each year. The selection process spans three distinct phases:

Stage 1: Registration & Pre-Assessment (Autumn of Year 6)

Candidates are registered by the spring of Year 5. In October or November of Year 6, boys sit the Cambridge Insight adaptive online assessment (measuring verbal, numerical, and non-verbal cognitive abilities) alongside a detailed reference from their current school. Overseas candidates may submit UKiset results.

Stage 2: Winchester Interview Day (Spring of Year 6)

Successful Stage 1 candidates are invited to Winchester for an in-person assessment day between January and March. The interview focuses on:

• Academic Curiosity: How the candidate approaches unfamiliar problems, defends an argument, and engages with new ideas.

• Reading & Hobbies: Discussion around literature, independent interests, and personal enthusiasm for learning.

Guaranteed or reserve places are offered in April of Year 6, subject to passing Stage 3.

Stage 3: Winchester Entrance or Election Exams (Spring of Year 8)

In April or May of Year 8, candidates finalise their admission via one of two routes:

• Winchester Entrance: A bespoke exam sat by general entry candidates. Papers include rigorous tests in English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, and foreign languages studied at prep school (French/Latin). The English paper emphasises inference, textual analysis, and literary synthesis, while the Maths paper demands deep mathematical reasoning.

• Election (Academic Scholarship): High-ability candidates can compete for Election. This set of papers includes compulsory examinations in English, Mathematics 1, Science, and General Paper 1, plus optional papers in Latin, Greek, French, History, Geography, and Mathematics 2.

How Exceptional Academics Helps

Build lateral thinking and master Winchester's bespoke entrance papers with our specialist 13+ mentors. Connect with us at info@exceptionalacademics.com