Which Schools Use Quest Assessments?

Quest Assessments is used by over 160 UK independent and selective grammar schools. Among state grammar schools, it is used in Bexley, by the non-Catholic Wirral grammar schools, by several Devon schools including Colyton Grammar and the Plymouth grammar schools, by a handful of individual Kent schools as an alternative to the Kent Test, and by Tiffin School for its Stage 1 papers. Quest has also grown quickly among independent schools, particularly through the London 11+ Consortium, a shared digital test used by a group of selective girls' schools. 

Quest Assessments is a newer, growing name in 11 plus testing, and if your target school mentions it, you probably have questions. Here is a simple guide to exactly which schools use Quest Assessments, covering both state grammar schools and independent schools across the country. 

What is Quest Assessments?

Quest Assessments is an 11 plus exam provider that has grown steadily in recent years, offering both paper-based tests for some grammar school areas and fully digital, sometimes adaptive tests for many independent schools. It generally covers English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, and some versions include an additional puzzles or problem solving section.

Much of Quest's recent growth has come from areas that previously used CEM, the Durham University developed test that withdrew from paper-based grammar school testing in 2022 and 2023. Rather than every former CEM area moving to GL Assessment, a number chose Quest instead, alongside a wave of independent schools adopting Quest's digital testing platform for their own admissions.

Full list of Grammar Schools that use Quest Assessments

Here is a region by region breakdown of the state grammar schools currently known to use Quest Assessments, either as their main test or as an alternative option.

Bexley, London

Bexley's grammar schools adopted Quest Assessments from the 2025 entry, replacing CEM, which the borough had used for many years.

• Beths Grammar School

• Bexley Grammar School

• Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School

• Townley Grammar School

Wirral, Merseyside

The non-Catholic Wirral grammar schools use Quest Assessments rather than GL, covering English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, plus a puzzles and problem solving section.

• Calday Grange Grammar School

• Wirral Grammar School for Boys

Devon

Devon is genuinely split between providers. Colyton Grammar School and the Plymouth grammar schools use Quest, while the Torbay consortium still uses GL Assessment.

• Colyton Grammar School, East Devon (includes a creative writing task)

• Devonport High School for Girls, Plymouth

• Plymouth High School for Girls

• Devonport High School for Boys, Plymouth (separate Quest process, with an additional writing task)

Dorset

The Dorset Consortium has been reported to be moving towards a new Quest based test for upcoming entry, alongside schools that have historically used GL Assessment.

• Bournemouth School

• Bournemouth School for Girls

• Parkstone Grammar School

• Poole Grammar School

Kent, as an alternative to the main Kent Test

Most Kent grammar schools use the GL Assessment based Kent Test, but a small number offer their own Quest based alternative.

• Weald of Kent Grammar School (an equal alternative to the Kent Test, not a resit)

• Dover Grammar School for Girls (the Dover Test, covering English and maths only)

• Borden Grammar School (its own Quest based test)

Kingston upon Thames

Tiffin School works in partnership with Quest Assessments, which now writes its Stage 1 entrance papers.

• Tiffin School (Stage 1 papers)

This list can change. Quest Assessments coverage has grown quickly and continues to shift, particularly in former CEM areas. Always confirm directly with your target school before finalising a preparation plan.

Full list of Independent Schools that use Quest Assessments

Quest has grown especially quickly among independent schools, largely through shared digital testing consortiums.

The London 11+ Consortium

A group of selective independent girls' schools sharing one digital, Quest based admissions assessment. Schools known to use this route include the following.

• Channing School

• South Hampstead High School

• Francis Holland School, Regent's Park

• St Margaret's School, Hampstead

Independent schools using Quest as a standalone platform

Some schools use Quest directly, outside the shared consortium arrangement, sometimes alongside additional interviews, written tasks or school reports.

• Haberdashers' Boys' School, Elstree

Consortiums can be large. The London 11+ Consortium is reported to include around 14 selective independent girls' schools in total sharing this same digital assessment, so families researching a specific school not named here should check that school's own admissions page directly.

Areas currently switching to Quest Assessments

Quest's growth has largely followed CEM's withdrawal from paper-based grammar school testing. Bexley made this switch for 2025 entry, and reports suggest the Dorset Consortium may be moving towards a Quest based test for upcoming entry too, alongside its long standing GL Assessment schools.

How to check if your target school uses Quest Assessments

1. Check the school's own admissions page first

Most schools state their current test provider clearly alongside registration dates and format details.

2. Check consortium or Local Authority pages

For shared tests like the London 11+ Consortium or the Dorset Consortium, the consortium's own website usually confirms the current provider.

3. Contact the school directly if in doubt

A quick email or call to the admissions office is the most reliable way to confirm the exact format for the year your child is applying.

What the Quest Assessment exam covers

• English, including comprehension and grammar

• Maths, covering topics appropriate to the year group being tested

• Verbal reasoning, testing word-based logic

• Non-verbal reasoning, testing shape and pattern-based thinking

• In some versions, a puzzles or problem solving section, and occasionally a creative writing task for borderline candidates

Digital Quest tests used by many independent schools are increasingly adaptive, meaning question difficulty can adjust based on how a child is performing, similar in spirit to the ISEB Common Pre-Test.

How to prepare for a Quest Assessment

• Build strong, broad fundamentals across English, maths and both types of reasoning

• Get comfortable with digital, on screen testing if your target school uses the online format

• If your school includes a creative writing element, practise this specifically, since it is often used to separate borderline candidates

• Confirm the exact format with the school directly, since paper and digital versions differ

Our free 11+ practice papers and 11+ past papers help build the core English, maths and reasoning skills that matter across every major test format, including Quest.

How Pass 11 Plus Grammar helps students preparing for Quest Assessment

1. Build a proper, structured plan

Our 11 plus tuition programmes cover the core skills every major provider tests, whether that is GL Assessment, Quest or another format.

2. Get experienced, up to date guidance

Our 11 plus tutors in Birmingham support families preparing for a range of exam formats nationwide, including areas that have recently changed provider.

3. Build up to realistic exam conditions

Our 11 plus mocks recreate genuine timing and pressure, whatever format your target school currently uses.

Our 11 plus intensive summer course offers focused, structured practice during the school holidays.

Final thoughts

Quest Assessments has grown from a relatively niche name into a genuine alternative to GL Assessment, particularly in areas that previously used CEM and among independent schools adopting digital testing. Whether your family is looking at Bexley, Wirral, parts of Devon or Dorset, an alternative Kent test, or an independent school through the London 11+ Consortium, the same principle applies. Confirm the exact, current format directly with the school, since this landscape has shifted quickly and is likely to keep evolving.

Whatever provider your target school ultimately uses, building genuine, broad skills across English, maths and reasoning remains the most reliable way to prepare with real confidence.