Wycombe Abbey Admissions Guide (11+, 13+ and 16+)
Wycombe Abbey : An Introduction
Wycombe Abbey, situated in the picturesque Buckinghamshire countryside, is one of the UK’s most prestigious independent girls’ boarding schools, renowned for its academic excellence and holistic approach to education. Founded in 1896, the school boasts a proud history of preparing pupils for leading universities and impactful futures. A forward looking school, rooted in the traditions of the Church of England, Wycombe Abbey fosters a strong sense of community and reflection, with regular Evensong services offering pupils a chance to pause and connect.
Wycombe Abbey’s exceptional GCSE and A Level programmes are complemented by a wealth of co-curricular opportunities, designed to inspire girls to explore their passions and develop their unique talents. Whether winning competitive sports matches, taking part in a theatrical production or advancing their skills through STEM clubs and leadership initiatives, pupils are encouraged to get stuck into school life at Wycombe Abbey. Boarding life lies at the heart of the Wycombe Abbey experience, creating a vibrant and supportive environment, supporting girls’ all round development, although the school does have a limited number of day places available each year for girls living within 15 miles of the school. At its core, Wycombe Abbey seeks to inspire every pupil to achieve ambitious goals and to recognise their ability to make a positive difference in the world, both now and in the future.
If you or your daughter have your heart set on Wycombe Abbey, this guide is designed to break down the admissions process and offer essential advice and tips to help your daughter stand out in competitive Wycombe Abbey admissions.
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Wycombe Abbey Admissions
Wycombe Abbey has three points of admission: 11+, 13+ and 16+. 11+ entry is the most popular entry point for the school, with a smaller number of deferred places available for entry in year 9 (only for students currently enrolled in a UK prep school finishing in year 8) and an even more competitive entry process for a small number of 16+ places.
For all admission points, students should visit Wycombe Abbey for an open day or coffee morning in advance where they can get a sense of the school’s atmosphere, meet staff and current students. Wycombe Abbey advises students to attend open mornings for 11+ entry while girls are in year 4, 13+ entry in year 6, and 16+ entry in year 10. Open mornings are the first opportunity for girls and parents to visit and experience the school and tour the facilities. Wycombe Abbey also runs coffee mornings which are more intimate open days for prospective families where they can speak to staff over coffee and tour the school on a regular school day to experience how it usually operates. There are limited spaces for these (only 30 families can attend generally) so registering early on Wycombe Abbey’s site is important.
The deadline for prospective Wycombe Abbey students to register is at the start of June in the calendar year prior to entry, for all three entry points. There is a £420 fee for registration.
The Wycombe Abbey Entrance Exam
The entrance process and criteria for Wycombe Abbey vary according to your child’s year of entry. Below we will outline the key information and preparation tips for each entry point:
11 Plus
All girls applying for 11 plus places at Wycombe Abbey will need to sit the online ISEB pre-test exam in November of Year 6.
If you’re apprehensive about preparing for the ISEB, we have a dedicated guide filled with useful preparation tips and a breakdown of the paper.
They will then be invited to attend an assessment day which takes place in person at Wycombe Abbey in the November prior to the year of entry. On this day, girls have:
an entrance exam in English (1 hour)
an entrance exam in Maths (1 hour)
an individual interview with a staff member
small group activities/interviews
After this day, a reference from your daughter’s current school will also be required, and in December, offers will be sent out to successful applicants.
While there are no Wycombe Abbey 11+ past papers available, the school will send out sample questions to applicants in the autumn term. If you’d like to get ahead with your preparation, you can work with a tutor specialised in preparing students for the Wycombe Abbey admissions process. A U2 Tuition tutor can create bespoke resources in the style of Wycombe Abbey 11+ past papers to give your daughter a chance to practice the exam format and get familiar with the exam technique, as well as receiving feedback on their performance and a tailored programme for improvement.
13 Plus
Girls wishing to join Wycombe Abbey at 13+ will be expected to sit the online ISEB pre-test by October Year 8. (See our dedicated guide here!) Prior to this, Wycombe Abbey will request a reference from their current school. Students who score highly on this will then be invited to the Wycombe Abbey assessment day which takes place in-person at the school in January of Year 8. On the day, your daughter will have:
Entrance examinations in:
English
Mathematics
Humanities
a Modern Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish or Mandarin Chinese)
a practical Science assessment
an individual interview with a senior staff member
The 13+ Wycombe Abbey entrance exam papers are written by the school’s Heads of Department. They are meant to be challenging and to identify scholars, so students shouldn’t expect to receive full marks on the papers. They are designed to test learning aptitude.
After this day, offers will be sent out in January.
Wycombe Abbey Sixth Form
At Wycombe Abbey Sixth form, girls have their own boarding house to allow them to focus on more independent study. They also take part in a timetabled University Preparation Programme focused on interdisciplinarity, collaboration and challenge, designed to help them plan their future courses of study and boost their chances of going on to world class institutions.
For girls looking to join Wycombe Abbey Sixth Form, there are a limited number of places available. This makes 16+ the most competitive entry point at Wycombe Abbey. Students should be expected to receive top grades at GCSE, with at least six at A*/A/9/8/7 and an A*/9/8 in their chosen A Level subjects, although the school notes that most successful candidates exceed these requirements.
Girls applying for Wycombe Abbey Sixth Form will sit the UKiset assessment by July of Year 10.
If you’d like further support with the UKiset exam, we’ve curated an in-depth guide to support you through the UKiset journey. Read it here.
After this initial assessment, Wycombe Abbey will request the candidate’s Summer Term report and a summary of their co-curricular interests, so it’s important they showcase a range of interests that indicate an excitement to get stuck in with Wycombe Abbey’s wealth of co-curricular clubs and activities.
Girls will then sit Sixth Form Entrance examinations at Wycombe Abbey in the November prior to entry, with a paper in each of the four subjects they plan to study at A Level. These examinations are based on the GCSE/GCSE/ IGCSE/GCE level syllabuses.
In order to excel in these examinations, we recommend that students ensure they are familiar with the GCSE syllabus for their subjects, including topics that might be covered on other syllabuses but not their own! Picking more challenging GCSE questions from a range of exam boards in their subject can be a great way to practice the level of content they need. Working with a tutor specialised in supporting students for the Wycombe Abbey entrance exams is also a brilliant way to boost their performance. Tutors will create questions and practice papers tailored to the Wycombe Abbey entrance exam format and help them push and develop their knowledge to show the aptitude for learning that Wycombe Abbey is looking for.
On the assessment day, students will also have a 20 minute interview with a member of senior staff.
Looking for support with Wycombe Abbey Admissions?
Support your child’s preparation for the Wycombe Abbey entrance exam with expert tutoring from U2 Tuition.
Our team of Oxbridge-educated tutors, many of whom are former Wycombe Abbey students, provide tailored study plans and resources that focus on the key components of the exam. We also offer structured interview preparation to help your child feel confident and well-prepared to highlight their strengths and interests during the Wycombe Abbey interview.
Our Wycombe Abbey tutors are dedicated to helping your child succeed and excel in their admissions process.
Wycombe Abbey Interview Support
The types of questions asked as part of the Wycombe Abbey interview will vary according to the entry point. However, at all levels students will need to demonstrate a love of learning and an interest in enriching the school community. Wycombe Abbey has a strong Church of England heritage and values academic excellence, empathy and integrity. It is important that girls use their Wycombe Abbey interview to reflect these values back to the school.
Honing interview technique is key to excelling in Wycombe Abbey interviews. It’s important girls come across naturally as motivated and inspired learners and engaged members of their school community without overly rehearsed responses or poor communication skills letting their answers down. A tutor can help students improve their interview technique, building their confidence and offering useful tips that will help them stand out at interview. Find out more about how U2 Tuition can support your daughter through the Wycombe Abbey interview and assessment process.
It’s also key that girls can demonstrate their love of learning through engaging co-curricular activities. This could be taking part in a school chess club or setting up a lunchtime book club, or students may prefer to get involved in one of our many exciting online co-curricular clubs run through our co-curricular division, Minds Underground. Why not learn to code, or debate, or get an introduction to design engineering? We offer a treasure trove of educational activities that will boost your child’s knowledge and skills and give them an interesting talking point in any interview.
We’ve also curated useful guides on 11 plus, 13 plus and 16 plus interviews, as well as question banks for each level which are purchasable from our store.
What is the Wycombe Abbey acceptance rate?
Entry to Wycombe Abbey is highly competitive across all year groups, reflecting its reputation as one of the UK’s leading independent schools. At Year 7, the most common entry point, approximately 300 girls apply for 80 places. This stage offers the greatest number of available places, making it slightly less competitive than later entry points with an acceptance rate of 27%.
By Year 9, there are only 20 places available for around 160 applicants, leading to an acceptance rate of just 12.5%. This entry point serves as an opportunity to join Wycombe Abbey ahead of GCSEs.
Entry to the Sixth Form is the most selective stage, with approximately 190 girls competing for just 20 places. With an acceptance rate of only 11%, it is the most challenging entry point and only the most academically outstanding candidates are likely to earn a place at Wycombe Abbey Sixth Form.
Across all year groups, Wycombe Abbey’s admissions process ensures that each intake is composed of girls with exceptional potential who are excited to embrace the wealth of opportunities the school provides.
Looking for a Wycombe Abbey Admissions Tutor to Support You?
A dedicated tutor is the best way to ensure your child is fully prepared for the Wycombe Abbey entrance exam and admissions process. At U2 Tuition, we offer personalised study plans and resources that cover all aspects of the Wycombe Abbey entrance exam, combining academic content with key exam techniques to help your child achieve their best possible performance.
Our team of Wycombe Abbey tutors includes Oxbridge graduates, many of whom attended Wycombe Abbey and have experience with its admissions process. With their insider knowledge, they are well-equipped to provide expert guidance and answer any questions your child may have. Our tutors create tailored practice materials that reflect the Wycombe Abbey entrance exam, giving students an opportunity to practice despite the lack of sample resources or Wycombe Abbey past papers. In addition, we offer interview preparation mentoring to ensure your child feels comfortable and confident discussing their interests and experiences during the Wycombe Abbey interview.
If you’re looking for support with Wycombe Abbey admissions, we begin with a free consultation to discuss your child’s goals, identify key areas for focus, and match them with a tutor who specialises in Wycombe Abbey admissions. Starting early allows us to provide thorough and well-rounded support, but we also offer an intensive programme in the lead-up to the Wycombe Abbey entrance exam or interview. Our flexible tutoring options are available both online and in-person, ensuring the most convenient learning experience for your child.
Book a free initial consultation now to find out more about how our tutors can help guide your daughter through the Wycombe Abbey admissions process.