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The Sutton SET: how the two stages work
The Selective Eligibility Test (SET) is shared by six selective schools in and around Sutton, south London: Greenshaw High School, Nonsuch High School for Girls, Sutton Grammar School, Wallington County Grammar School, Wallington High School for Girls and Wilson’s School.
Sutton SET dates (2026 test, for September 2027 entry)
- Registration: 1 May to 31 July 2026
- Stage 1, the SET: Tuesday 15 September 2026
- Stage 2, girls’ schools (Nonsuch and Wallington High): Saturday 26 September 2026
- Stage 2, boys’ schools (Wilson’s, Wallington County Grammar and Sutton Grammar): Saturday 3 October 2026
Next year: expect registration from May, the SET in mid September and Stage 2 in late September or early October. Check the schools’ admissions pages for the confirmed dates.
Stage 1: the Selective Eligibility Test
Two multiple-choice papers, one in maths and one in English, each taking 40 to 50 minutes, with a break between them. There is no verbal or non-verbal reasoning. Families get an outcome email in the week after the test, saying whether the child can go on to Stage 2.
Stage 2
Written papers in maths and English, each around 45 minutes to an hour. Stage 2 is not multiple choice and has no reasoning papers, so children need to show their working in maths and write full answers in English. The English papers have usually included a writing task, but check each school’s latest guidance.
How to prepare
- For Stage 1, practise fast, accurate multiple-choice maths and English.
- For Stage 2, practise written maths with clear working, and longer English answers.
- Do timed papers in both styles, since the two stages feel very different.
Our GL-style papers are good practice for the multiple-choice Stage 1, and our CSSE-style English and maths papers help with the same core skills for Stage 2. Every paper has a free sample.
Always check the official source. Written and checked by the Exam Mocks UK team against the official sources on 5 November 2026. Official information: Sutton Grammar School admissions.