Hampton School and Kingston Grammar School are both highly selective independent schools in south-west London. Each uses its own entrance assessments for Year 7 entry, but the format and emphasis of the tests differ slightly. Hampton’s process is generally broader and includes more reasoning and problem-solving, while Kingston Grammar’s exam is more focused on traditional English and mathematics skills.

Official school websites
https://www.hamptonschool.org.uk/
https://www.kgs.org.uk/

Overview of the entrance exams

Both schools require candidates to sit entrance exams during Year 6. These exams are designed to assess academic ability and potential rather than simply what has been taught in school.

However, the number of papers and types of skills tested differ.

Hampton School typically requires three written assessments covering English, mathematics and reasoning skills.

Kingston Grammar School usually requires two main papers: English and mathematics.

Subjects tested

Hampton School entrance exam subjects usually include:

English (comprehension and creative writing)
Mathematics
Words or reasoning paper (verbal reasoning, data interpretation and puzzles)

The reasoning paper is designed to test logical thinking and the ability to extract information from unfamiliar sources.

Kingston Grammar School entrance exam subjects include:

English
Mathematics

The English paper normally contains reading comprehension questions, language tasks and a creative writing section. The mathematics paper assesses number, problem solving and other Key Stage 2 maths topics.

Structure of the English exam

The English assessment differs slightly between the schools.

At Hampton, the English paper focuses on comprehension and creative writing, often testing imagination, vocabulary and the ability to organise ideas clearly in writing.

At Kingston Grammar School, the English test usually contains several sections including language skills questions, comprehension questions based on a text and a creative writing task.

Overall, the Kingston Grammar English paper is often more structured, while Hampton sometimes places greater emphasis on creativity and reasoning in language.

Mathematics assessment

Both schools include a non-calculator mathematics paper based largely on Key Stage 2 material.

At Hampton, the mathematics paper includes calculation questions as well as multi-step problem-solving questions designed to test reasoning ability.

At Kingston Grammar School, the maths paper focuses on core mathematical understanding including number, algebra, geometry and data handling.

Both exams require strong mathematical thinking, but Hampton may include slightly more challenging problem-solving elements.

Reasoning and problem solving

One major difference between the two entrance exams is the inclusion of reasoning tests.

Hampton includes a reasoning or words and reasoning paper which may involve interpreting information from passages, maps or timetables, as well as solving verbal or visual puzzles.

Kingston Grammar School typically does not include a separate reasoning paper, focusing instead on English and mathematics.

As a result, the Hampton exam may assess a broader range of cognitive skills.

Interview stage

Both schools usually include interviews as part of the admissions process for candidates who perform well in the written exams.

At Hampton, successful candidates from the exam stage are invited to attend interviews with members of staff.

Kingston Grammar School may also invite shortlisted applicants for interviews after the entrance tests.

These interviews help schools assess a pupil’s curiosity, communication skills and suitability for the school environment.

Difficulty and competition

Both exams are competitive because the schools receive many applications for a limited number of places.

Hampton School admits a large Year 7 intake each year, but entry remains highly competitive due to the number of applicants.

Kingston Grammar School also attracts strong applicants from across London and Surrey and the entrance exam is challenging.

Overall comparison

The Hampton School entrance exam is broader and tests English, mathematics and reasoning skills, placing emphasis on problem solving and analytical thinking.

The Kingston Grammar School entrance exam is slightly more traditional, focusing mainly on English and mathematics aligned with the Key Stage 2 curriculum.

Both exams are academically demanding and require strong reading, writing and mathematical skills, but Hampton’s assessment generally includes a wider range of reasoning and cognitive tasks.