Dulwich College and Alleyn’s School are two highly regarded independent schools located in Dulwich in south London. Both schools are academically selective and require pupils to sit entrance examinations before being offered places. Although the exams assess similar core academic abilities, the format and emphasis of the tests differ slightly between the two schools.

Official school websites
https://www.dulwich.org.uk/
https://www.alleyns.org.uk/

Overview of the entrance exams

Both schools typically assess pupils for entry into Year 7 during Year 6. The purpose of the exams is to evaluate academic potential, problem-solving ability and readiness for a demanding secondary school curriculum.

Dulwich College usually requires candidates to sit papers in English, mathematics and reasoning. These assessments are designed to test comprehension, writing ability, numerical skills and logical thinking.

Alleyn’s School also assesses pupils through English and mathematics examinations and may include reasoning or problem-solving elements within those papers. In addition, some applicants may take part in interviews or assessment activities.

Subjects tested

The subjects tested in the entrance exams are broadly similar but structured slightly differently.

Dulwich College typically tests:

English
Mathematics
Verbal or non-verbal reasoning

The reasoning component is intended to measure logical thinking and the ability to interpret unfamiliar information.

Alleyn’s School typically tests:

English
Mathematics

While Alleyn’s may not always include a separate reasoning paper, problem-solving questions are often incorporated into the mathematics and English assessments.

English assessment

Both schools place strong emphasis on English skills.

At Dulwich College, the English paper usually includes comprehension questions based on a passage and a creative writing task. Pupils may be asked to write a story or descriptive piece to demonstrate vocabulary, structure and imagination.

At Alleyn’s School, the English paper also usually includes comprehension questions and a creative writing exercise. The assessment often focuses on reading carefully, interpreting texts and producing well-structured writing.

Both schools look for strong literacy skills and the ability to communicate ideas clearly.

Mathematics assessment

Mathematics papers at both schools are based mainly on Key Stage 2 content but are typically more challenging than standard primary school tests.

At Dulwich College, the maths paper often includes multi-step problems and reasoning questions that require pupils to explain their thinking and apply mathematical ideas to unfamiliar problems.

At Alleyn’s School, the mathematics paper also includes problem-solving tasks designed to test logical reasoning as well as calculation skills.

Strong mathematical understanding and the ability to work through complex problems are important for both exams.

Reasoning and problem solving

A key difference between the two schools is the role of reasoning assessments.

Dulwich College often includes a specific reasoning paper. This may involve verbal reasoning, pattern recognition or interpreting information from diagrams or short texts.

Alleyn’s School tends to incorporate reasoning within the English and mathematics papers rather than testing it as a separate subject.

As a result, Dulwich may test a slightly broader range of cognitive skills in separate sections.

Interviews and assessment days

Both schools often include interviews or additional assessments after the written exam stage.

At Dulwich College, shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews or further assessment activities. These allow teachers to assess a pupil’s curiosity, communication skills and suitability for the school.

Alleyn’s School may also invite selected candidates for interviews or group assessment activities as part of the admissions process.

Difficulty and competition

Both schools are highly competitive, with many applicants competing for a limited number of places each year.

Dulwich College has a large intake for Year 7 but receives applications from a wide area of London and beyond.

Alleyn’s School also attracts strong applicants and the admissions process is selective.

Overall comparison

The Dulwich College entrance exam typically includes English, mathematics and a separate reasoning assessment, placing emphasis on analytical thinking as well as academic ability.

The Alleyn’s School entrance exam usually focuses on English and mathematics, with reasoning skills integrated into the questions rather than tested separately.

Both exams are academically demanding and require strong reading, writing and mathematical skills. The main difference is that Dulwich tends to assess reasoning more explicitly, while Alleyn’s integrates reasoning within the subject papers.