What is 25% of £200?
Show worked explanation
To find 25% of £200, we can calculate 200 ÷ 4 = £50 (because 25% is the same as 1/4). Or multiply: 200 × 0.25 = £50. ✓
Dorset / BCP 11+
If your child is aiming for a Dorset or BCP grammar school, this is the test that decides it. The Dorset and BCP consortium 11+ is the shared entrance exam for four schools: Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar School and Poole Grammar School. Children usually sit it at the start of Year 6, in the autumn before the September they would start Year 7. The exam is set by GL Assessment for 2027 entry. From 2028 entry the consortium moves to a new provider, Quest, but the content stays the same: three papers covering Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning, each around 40 minutes, with no Non-Verbal Reasoning, no spatial paper and no writing task. Every section is answered in multiple-choice format. So whether your child sits the GL version or the later Quest version, what they need to master is identical, which makes early, steady practice worthwhile.
At a Glance
- Provider
- GL
- Sections tested
- Maths Yes English Yes Verbal Reasoning Yes Non-Verbal Reasoning No Spatial No Writing No
- Format
- All multiple choice
- Schools covered
- 4 schools: Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar School, Poole Grammar School
- Last verified
- 4 August 2026
What the Dorset / BCP Test Includes
Maths
A multiple-choice paper covering the Key Stage 2 maths a strong Year 5 and Year 6 pupil should know: number, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, measures, shape and simple data. Speed and accuracy under time both matter.
English
A multiple-choice paper built around comprehension, spelling, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary. There is no separate writing task to hand in, so the skill is reading closely and choosing the best answer quickly.
Verbal Reasoning
A multiple-choice paper testing how your child works with words and logic: synonyms and antonyms, letter and number codes, word patterns and short puzzles. It rewards vocabulary plus a calm, systematic approach.
How PrepStep Helps
PrepStep covers all three sections this test uses. Your child practises Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning as multiple-choice questions, sees a short micro-lesson before each topic, gets every answer marked instantly with a worked explanation, and builds up through timed mock tests that mirror the exam's format. Because this consortium tests only these three subjects, and in multiple-choice form, PrepStep fits it fully today, and it fits the Quest version from 2028 too, since the content does not change. A tutor or your child's school still adds most on the human side, for example exam-day nerves, one-to-one feedback and wider reading. You can start practising free, with no card.
Sample Questions for This Test
5 questions drawn from PrepStep's question bank, covering only the subjects this test actually uses. Tap “Show worked explanation” to see the full method, and the correct answer is highlighted so you can check as you go.
Maths
Maths
A recipe for 4 people uses 200g of flour. How much flour is needed for 10 people?
Show worked explanation
For 1 person: 200 ÷ 4 = 50g. For 10 people: 50 × 10 = 500g. ✓
English
Which word is closest in meaning to 'immense'?
Show worked explanation
'Immense' means extremely large or vast. 'Enormous' is the closest synonym. Other words with a similar meaning include huge, vast, and colossal. Try using this word in a sentence today to make it stick. ✓
English
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'The children ___ playing in the park when it started to rain.'
Show worked explanation
'Children' is plural, so we use 'were' (not 'was'). 'The children were playing' is the past continuous tense, describing an ongoing action in the past. ✓
Verbal Reasoning
Find one word that fits BOTH meaning groups.
Group 1: type, sort
Group 2: gentle, caring
Show worked explanation
'Kind' fits both groups: a 'kind' of biscuit means a type or sort, and a 'kind' person is gentle and caring. ✓
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in the Dorset and BCP grammar school 11+?
Three papers: Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning, each around 40 minutes and all in multiple-choice format. There is no Non-Verbal Reasoning paper, no spatial paper and no writing task. The same three subjects apply for both the current GL version and the later Quest version.
Which schools use the Dorset and BCP 11+?
Four grammar schools share this consortium test: Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar School and Poole Grammar School. Passing the consortium exam is the academic route into these schools for Year 7 places.
Is the Dorset and BCP 11+ changing to Quest?
For 2027 entry the test is set by GL Assessment. From 2028 entry the consortium moves to a provider called Quest. The consortium has confirmed the content stays the same, so preparation does not need to change either way.
Does the Dorset and BCP 11+ include Non-Verbal Reasoning or a writing task?
No. This consortium tests Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning only, all multiple choice. There is no Non-Verbal Reasoning section, no spatial paper and no scored writing task, which is unusual and worth knowing, as many other 11+ regions do include those.
How can my child practise for the Dorset and BCP 11+ for free?
PrepStep gives free multiple-choice practice in all three tested subjects, Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning, with instant marking, worked explanations and timed mock tests. You can start without a card and build up steadily in the months before the exam.
Where to Go Next
Practise the subjects this test covers
Other UK 11+ regions
Parent guides
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