16+ Academic Scholarship

• The 16+ Entrance Examinations will take place on Tuesday 3 November and Thursday 5 November 2026 and candidates will be required to take the examinations at Rugby School.  In exceptional circumstances we are able to consider remote assessment and interview
• Parents of all applicants should inform the candidate’s present school of their intention to apply for a place at Rugby School.  They should complete a Rugby School Registration form and Sixth Form Exam Application (see below).

On receipt of the application forms, we shall ask for a character and academic reference from the candidate’s present school before the examinations are sat.

• All candidates will be required to sit three written papers which include core exams in Maths and English plus one other of the candidates choice.  You should choose the test which you will do best in based on the Exam Notes and Specimen Papers on our website.  If you are clear already on your proposed IB Diploma Higher Level subjects or A-level choices then, where possible you should choose one of these tests.  Candidates will also be given a Reasoning Test and at least one interview.  Candidates will sit their examinations on one of the two days shown above.

• All candidates sitting the entrance examinations on 3 and 5 November will automatically be considered for an Academic Scholarship.  The selection will be based on school reports, performance in the entrance examinations and the Scholarship interviews.  Academic Scholarships will be awarded to candidates demonstrating academic excellence
• The Scholarship Assessment Day will include a series of discussion groups and interactive challenges led by the Scholars Pathway staff and students
• The Scholarship Recall selection will take place at Rugby School on Thursday 19 November 2026. 

Candidates invited to come back for the Scholarship Recall Day will be notified by email by Friday 13 November 2026.  If you do not receive an email, you can assume that you have not been selected for Scholarship interviews.

We will consider candidates for a Foundation Award if their application meets three criteria:

1. They perform strongly in the entrance tests
2. Their family lives within 20 miles of Rugby School
3. Parents have been assessed as being eligible for at least 10% means-tested bursary assistance towards fees.

All eligible candidates sitting the entrance examinations will automatically be considered for a Foundation Award.  The selection will be based on school reports, performance in the entrance examinations and the Foundation Award interviews.  If parents would particularly like their son or daughter to be considered for an Award, there is space on the general application form for this to be registered.