About Dunottar School
Dunottar School is a co-educational independent school in Reigate, Surrey (part of United Learning). Year 7 entry is via the school’s own assessment — an online (Quest) reasoning assessment together with written English and Maths papers, the school’s Warrior Learner activities and an interview. Academic scholarships and bursaries may be available — contact the school.
Dunottar School offers an outstanding education with excellent academic standards, small class sizes and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. GCSE 9–7: 49%.
About the Dunottar School Entrance Assessment
Dunottar School is a co-educational independent school in England that historically used the CEM 11+ entrance test (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, University of Durham) for Year 7 admission. Note that many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or bespoke entrance tests since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022 — verify the current format on the school's website. The school admits approximately a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September, and applications are made directly to Dunottar School (registration fee payable).
The CEM-style 11+ format traditionally consists of one or two papers covering English (comprehension, cloze passages, vocabulary), Mathematics (numerical reasoning, problem-solving), Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. CEM scores are age-standardised so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. The CEM-style is the established alternative reference format to GL Assessment.
For 2026 entry, the Dunottar School entrance exam is held in January of Year 6, with results and offers issued in February-March (varies by school).
Dunottar School is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (available places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Dunottar School
Dunottar School Admissions Criteria
Dunottar School is a co-educational independent school in Reigate, Surrey (part of United Learning). Year 7 entry is via the school’s own assessment — an online (Quest) reasoning assessment together with written English and Maths papers, the school’s Warrior Learner activities and an interview. Academic scholarships and bursaries may be available — contact the school.
- ✓Attend an Open Day or arranged visit to Dunottar School — check the school website for dates.
- ✓Complete the Registration Form on the school website and pay the registration fee.
- ✓A reference is requested from the child's current school. Based on a satisfactory report, the candidate is invited to sit the assessment.
- ✓Sit the CEM Select online assessment at the school (approximately 60 minutes): three sections covering Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- ✓Attend a short interview with a member of the admissions team, focusing on interests, motivation and personal qualities.
- ✓No fixed pass mark — selection is based on overall performance in the assessment, interview and school reference.
- ✓An offer is usually made within 1–2 weeks of the interview and assessment.
- ✓Academic, Music, Sport, Art and All-Rounder Scholarships may be available — contact the school for details.
- ✓Means-tested Bursaries may be available for financially eligible families.
- ✓Confirm the place by completing an Acceptance Form and paying the required deposit.
Dunottar School Oversubscription Criteria
For 2026 Year 7 entry, Dunottar School ranks applicants by performance in the CEM-style entrance assessment. The following selection priorities are typically applied:
- Children who meet the academic standard in Dunottar School's entrance assessment (CEM-style)
- Children with siblings currently attending the school
- Children of former pupils (alumni connections)
- Children with strong references from current primary head
- Children of staff members (where applicable)
- Distance from school / catchment priority (some independents)
- Children ranked by performance in the assessment up to Dunottar School's places available
- Tiebreak: interview performance, references, or other school-specific criteria
Key Dates & Deadlines — Dunottar School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | Varies by school (typically open Sept/Oct of Year 5) |
| 📌 Registration closes | Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies) |
| 📌 CEM-style 11+ Entrance Test | January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format) |
| 📌 Test results released | February of Year 6 |
| 📌 Offers issued by school | February-March (varies by school) |
How to Apply to Dunottar School Directly
Step 1 — Attend an Open Day at Dunottar School
Visit during Year 5 to meet staff, tour the school and assess fit. Independent school open days are usually in Sept-Nov.
Step 2 — Register your child with Dunottar School
Complete the registration form on the school's website. Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies). A registration fee usually applies.
Step 3 — Sit the school's entrance assessment
Dunottar School's entrance exam (CEM-style format) is typically held in January of Year 6. Covers English, Mathematics, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus interview.
Step 4 — Provide school references
Your child's current Head Teacher will be asked to submit a confidential reference. Strong references are particularly important for independent schools.
Step 5 — Attend an interview
Most independent schools interview shortlisted candidates. Interviews assess motivation, character and academic potential.
Step 6 — Receive your offer
Offers issued by Dunottar School in February-March (varies by school). Compare with offers from any other independent schools applied to.
Step 7 — Accept your place and pay deposit
Accept your offer in writing and pay the acceptance deposit (typically £500-£2,000, deducted from first-term fees) by the school's deadline.
CEM Select Subjects Tested at Dunottar School
How to Prepare for the Dunottar School 11+ Exam
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CEM Practice Papers and Quest Software for Dunottar School
Dunottar School uses the CEM 11+ format. Our practice papers mirror that exact format, with a short tutor video explaining every question. Quest, our interactive practice software, comes in a CEM edition too: 3,560 questions across Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning in short tests with medals to win, an Exam Hall of timed mocks, CEM-style sitting papers, flashcards, a daily five, a Weekly Challenge set by a friendly Guardian and a hero your child unlocks by learning, with a working-out board under every question and My Corrections — plus a Skills Report and a week-by-week plan for parents. Start with the free samples, then choose a pack when you're ready.
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View CEM practice papers →Academic Performance at Dunottar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Dunottar is a co-educational United Learning school known for strong pastoral care and ‘added value’ academic progress.
- GCSE: strong GCSE results across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: a sixth form supporting applications to a range of universities.
- Progression: pupils progress to their first-choice universities and pathways, supported by individual guidance.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Dunottar School
Dunottar School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. Places are open to families from across Reigate and the surrounding Surrey area and beyond, and are allocated on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits in 15 acres just outside Reigate with excellent road and rail links and a coach service; pupils travel from a wide area, with entry by assessment rather than catchment.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1926, Dunottar joined United Learning in 2014 and is co-educational (ages 11–18), set in a Palladian mansion within 15 acres. Its ‘Warrior Learner’ approach develops aspiration, creativity, curiosity, tenacity, independence, collaboration and inclusivity, underpinned by exceptional pastoral care.
Facilities include a 25-metre pool, the Castle Theatre and a Surrey Cricket performance centre, with strong sport, music and performing arts. For the full list of activities, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dunottar School
How do I apply to Dunottar School for Year 7?
Applications to Dunottar School are made directly to the school. Register on the school's website (registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies)), pay the registration fee, sit the entrance exam, and attend an interview if shortlisted.
Does Dunottar School use the CEM 11+ test?
Dunottar School historically used the CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) 11+ entrance test. Since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022, many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or developed bespoke entrance tests. Practice papers in the CEM-style format remain valuable preparation as the topic areas (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) are still tested in most formats.
What's the difference between CEM and GL Assessment?
Both test similar subjects (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) but differ in style: CEM was designed to be less coachable with broader vocabulary and varied question types per paper; GL Assessment has more structured, predictable papers per subject area. Many former CEM schools now use GL Assessment after CEM 11+ was retired in 2022.
How many Year 7 places does Dunottar School have?
Dunottar School admits a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly.
When is the 11+ test for Dunottar School?
For 2026 entry, Dunottar School's 11+ entrance assessment is held in January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format). Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies).
What's the pass mark / qualifying score for Dunottar School?
Dunottar School sets its own qualifying mark each year based on the standardised score distribution of applicants. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) according to performance in the entrance assessment.
Is Dunottar School a state school or fee-paying?
Dunottar School is an independent fee-paying school. Registration fees, entrance exam fees, and tuition fees apply. Bursaries and scholarships are typically available for academically able pupils from lower-income families — check the school's website for details.
How can my child prepare for the Dunottar School 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete CEM-style 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question, and downloadable resources covering English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the test for best results.
Where can I find Dunottar School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Dunottar School 2026 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, current test format, qualifying mark, supplementary forms, and any school-specific application requirements.
Start preparing for the Dunottar School 11+
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