The Trafford grammar test has changed. Here's what it means for your child.
From 2027 the test is based on what children learn at primary school, not reasoning puzzles. Take a free check to see how secure your child's Year 5 learning is, and what you can safely stop paying for.
About 25 minutes · No account needed · Not affiliated with FSCE or any school
For: Maya, Year 5
Mostly secure ●
Confidence: moderate
- English: Secure
- Maths: Developing (fractions and percentages need work)
- Across the curriculum: Secure with unfamiliar questions
Full report covers every strand, named misconceptions, what not to buy, and an 8-week plan built mostly on free resources.
The new Trafford test in 60 seconds
No more reasoning puzzles
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning have been dropped. If you've bought those books, you can put them away.
Two papers
One paper covers English and maths. A second paper draws on other primary subjects, from science and history to music and computing.
Built to resist cramming
Question types and subjects change every year. There are no past papers and no official practice papers.
Earlier than before
Today's Year 5 sit it in September 2027. Today's Year 4 sit it in the summer term of Year 5, in 2028.
Save your money
The schools have said families shouldn't need to pay for preparation. We agree, and we'll tell you what to skip.
- ×Verbal and non-verbal reasoning books and apps
- ×Mock tests built for the old GL format
- ×Anything sold as an official, replica or 'past' paper for the new test. None are authorised.
- ×Expensive bundles of practice papers before the official familiarisation guide is out
What does help: wide reading, secure Year 5 maths and English, and paying attention across every subject at school.
Simple, one-off prices
Founding family prices until 1 March 2027. No subscriptions.
Free check
£0
- 24 questions across English, maths and the wider curriculum
- Overall picture: Secure, Mostly secure or Building
- Strongest and weakest area
- Time until your child's test
Readiness Check
£59
Founding family price. Rising to £79 on 1 March 2027.
One thorough check, with a written report.
- Two short sittings, so the report rests on solid evidence
- Every strand rated: Secure, Developing or Gap
- Named misconceptions, explained in plain English
- How your child handles unfamiliar questions
- What not to buy, specific to your child
- An 8-week plan built mostly on free resources
- Reviewed and signed off by a person within 48 hours
Recommended
Preparation Pass
£119
Founding family price. Rising to £149 on 1 March 2027.
Three checks across the year before the test, so you can see what's working.
- Everything in the Readiness Check
- Two follow-up checks within 12 months, with new questions each time
- A progress update after each one: what moved, what didn't, what to focus on next
- A personal note from us with every update
- We'll suggest the best timing for your child's test date
Add-on: Writing feedback, £19. Your child completes a short writing task and gets personal feedback on ideas, organisation and language. Available with either paid option. Add writing feedback
Bought the Readiness Check and want the Pass? Upgrade for the difference within 30 days. Just reply to your report email.
Pupil Premium families can apply for a free Readiness Check.
How it works
Free check
Around 25 minutes of original questions in English, maths and across the curriculum, mapped to the Year 5 national curriculum.
Short questionnaire
Year group, target schools and what your child has done so far.
Free result
An overall picture, strongest and weakest area, and time until your child's test.
The full written check
A second short sitting, then a written report reviewed by a person within 48 hours.
Common questions
Is this an official practice test?
No. Our questions are original and written against the Year 5 national curriculum. We are not affiliated with FSCE or any school, and no practice papers for the new test are authorised. The only official material is the free familiarisation guide the schools will publish.
Can you tell me if my child will pass?
No, and nobody honestly can yet. There are no past papers, the format changes each year and qualifying scores for the new test haven't been set. We tell you how secure your child's Year 5 learning is and where the gaps are.
If the schools say no preparation is needed, why would I use this?
Because most families still want to know where they stand, and many end up overspending on the wrong things. We check what genuinely matters, then tell you what you can skip.
Is the report automated?
Partly. Scoring is automatic, and an AI tool helps draft the report from your child's results and our own pre-written guidance. Every report is then read, edited and signed off by a person before it reaches you. Anything sensitive is always written by a person.
My child is in Year 4. Is it too early?
Not for a check. Today's Year 4 sit the new test at the end of Year 5, in summer 2028, so they have less time than previous cohorts. A check now shows what to build steadily.
What about Loreto and St Ambrose?
They run their own test, which isn't part of this change. Check their admissions pages for details.
Why is the price going up?
We're offering lower prices to our first families. From 1 March 2027 the Readiness Check will be £79 and the Preparation Pass £149.
What's the difference between the Check and the Pass?
The Check is a single, thorough look at where your child stands. The Pass adds two follow-up checks with new questions, so you can see whether what you're doing is working before the test.
Will my child's data be safe?
We only ask for what we need to write your report: a partial postcode, never your full address. Information is stored securely and used only to produce and deliver your report.
Know where your child's learning stands.
A check, not a course. Start free, then decide whether you want the full written picture.
Start the free check