About The Liverpool Blue Coat School
The Liverpool Blue Coat School is a selective, co-educational state grammar school in Wavertree, Liverpool, founded in 1708 and consistently one of the highest-performing state schools in the country. As a state-funded school it charges no fees. Entry to Year 7 is by a distinctive two-phase online entrance test set using Cambridge / CEM assessments — not a conventional paper test.
All applicants sit Phase 1 in early July: Primary Insight (formerly InCAS), an online adaptive test from the Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring (CEM), lasting about 1 hour 40 minutes across five 20-minute modules (reading, mathematics, mental arithmetic, spelling and developed ability). The strongest performers are invited to Phase 2 in September: Cambridge Select Insight, covering verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning. There are about 180 places, and the school has no catchment area — pupils attend as day students.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for The Liverpool Blue Coat School
Admission is by a two-phase online entrance test, both phases sat on a computer at the school. Phase 1 (early July) is Primary Insight, an online adaptive test produced by CEM; every registered applicant takes it. The strongest performers are then invited to Phase 2 (September), the Cambridge Select Insight assessment of verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning. The school sets a qualifying score each year (there is no published pass mark), and reaching it does not guarantee a place — Blue Coat has no catchment area and admits day pupils by rank, so you must also name it on your Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October 2026.
Catchment Area for The Liverpool Blue Coat School
Blue Coat has no catchment area. Places are offered on academic merit — by rank of entrance-test score — and pupils attend as day students (there is no boarding and no geographical priority).
Always confirm the current admissions and oversubscription criteria in the school's policy before applying; reaching the qualifying standard does not guarantee a place.
Subjects Tested at The Liverpool Blue Coat School
Blue Coat's test spans two phases. Phase 1 (Primary Insight) assesses reading/English, mathematics, mental arithmetic, spelling and developed ability; Phase 2 (Cambridge Select Insight) assesses verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning. Both phases are sat online at the school.
CEM Select Practice Papers for The Blue Coat School, Liverpool
The Blue Coat School, Liverpool uses the CEM 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the The Blue Coat School, Liverpool 11+ Exam
Blue Coat’s test is online and adaptive, so combine solid Year 5/6 reading and maths with on-screen practice. For Phase 2, work on verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning in the Cambridge Select Insight style. The steps below build both.
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
The Liverpool Blue Coat School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to The Liverpool Blue Coat School for Year 7?
Apply directly to the school during its application window — for 2027 entry, Thursday 26 March to Friday 24 April 2026 — and book a Phase 1 test slot when you apply. You must also name Blue Coat on your Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October 2026.
What entrance test does The Liverpool Blue Coat School use?
A two-phase online test set using Cambridge / CEM assessments — not a conventional paper test. Phase 1 is Primary Insight (formerly InCAS), an online adaptive test from the Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring (CEM), covering reading, mathematics, mental arithmetic, spelling and developed ability. Phase 2, for the strongest performers, is Cambridge Select Insight, covering verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning.
Is The Liverpool Blue Coat School selective, and is it free?
Yes. The Liverpool Blue Coat School is a selective co-educational state grammar school and, as a state-funded school, charges no fees.
When does the entrance test take place?
Phase 1 is in early July — for 2027 entry, Thursday 2 to Saturday 4 July 2026 — and Phase 2 is in September (Saturday 19 September 2026) for those invited. Both phases are sat on a computer at the school.
When are the results released?
Phase 1 outcomes are sent before the Local Authority application deadline, so you can name Blue Coat on your CAF in time; Phase 2 results follow in the autumn.
When is National Offers Day in 2027?
National Offers Day is 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities tell families which secondary school place their child has been allocated.
Does The Liverpool Blue Coat School have a catchment area?
No. Blue Coat has no catchment area and admits pupils on academic merit, by rank of entrance-test score. It is a day school, so families should consider the daily commute to Wavertree.
How many Year 7 places does The Liverpool Blue Coat School offer?
About 180 places.
How can my child prepare for the Blue Coat entrance test?
Because the test is online and adaptive, build solid Year 5 and 6 reading and maths and let your child practise on screen with a keyboard and mouse. For Phase 2, practise verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning in the Cambridge Select Insight style. ExamTutor offers CEM-style practice papers with full video explanations.