Our admissions testing services are designed for selective state and independent schools (and local authorities) who run admission tests to assess academic potential in children.
In addition to the 11 plus (and 13 plus) admissions assessment, we can also process paper-based university admissions tests, aptitude tests, and medical examinations.
The eleven plus exam (also known as the 11+, 11 plus, Secondary Transfer Test, and Common Entrance exam) is an admissions test sat by students in the last year (year 6) of primary school to test academic ability and identify pupils eligible for admission to grammar schools and other selective and partially selective schools. Our admissions testing services include:
We will design your answer sheets for each component e.g. Mathematics, English, Verbal Reasoning, etc.
These flexible form layouts contain a mix of multiple choice questions (MCQ) and/or short written responses. Additionally, the structured form templates are optimised for high-speed processing by data capture software later in the process, with cornerstones and ID blocks to reduce manual intervention.
Before distribution, we can pre-print the test takers information (name, school, date of birth etc.) onto the answer sheet. This information can also be encoded into a two-dimensional (2D) barcode for immediate recognition.
These personalised answer sheets will be despatched to each venue/test centre. Non-personalised answer sheets are available for contingency use in the event of lost or damaged originals.
At the end of the entrance exam, completed examination papers can either be scanned locally, on-site by yourselves, or despatched to our scanning facility for high-speed scanning.
Once scanning is complete, the test marking software will perform image processing, classification, mark/character recognition, and data extraction using handprint (ICR), machine print (OCR), checkbox (OMR), and barcode recognition technology.
OMR technology can, for example, read candidate responses to MCQs and export a value for each question (i.e. A, B, C, D). Alternatively, OMR can mark each question (if pre-loaded with the answer-key) and export a final score (rather than raw responses).
Any exceptions will be queued for human verification based on bespoke rules. Examples include barcode not read, duplicate papers, more than one multiple-choice option marked, a value not within expected numeric ranges, and non-alpha or numeric characters found.
Once verified, we run reconciliation reports on the data, allowing us to spot missing, duplicate or other unusual cases that may require investigation.
We can also provide observations/analysis on the processing across the whole cohort, which can be used to highlight questions that may be poorly worded for example.
We provide a data export containing details of every candidate’s performance in each component sat. This can contain either the raw data (allowing you to grade later) or the final scores.
Scanned answer sheets – and verified data – will be made available to schools, allowing for answer papers to be searched for and viewed on-screen instantly. This allows for parent appeals, re-marking and future reference without the need to store bulky original paper copies.
The paper answer sheets can be securely destroyed after an agreed storage period.
Working with trusted suppliers, we can deliver a solution that includes the creation of new questions.
The test content is quality assured with the RNIB, primary school teachers and SEN staff to be child-friendly in format and instructions.
We can supply question booklets and answer papers in enlarged formats. Other amendments can include larger pictures/fonts and coloured test papers.
In terms of further modifications, we can work with you to make answer papers accessible and provide advice and recommendations on the assessment format.
Our team can help to provide documentation for exam officers on how to administer and invigilate the exam to ensure a smooth session.
We can provide guidance on capturing attendance registers/exception reports to aid session reconciliation.
We are happy to support extra test dates for those unable to attend the original date because of illness.
Working with trusted suppliers, we can deliver a solution that includes the age-standardisation of exam results.
Our experience with FSCE/ePC has been outstanding from start to finish. Their communication throughout the entire process was excellent, ensuring we felt well-supported and informed. The resources, including test answer sheets, were impressively organised and arrived in plenty of time, allowing us to handle in-school preparation well in advance. The test itself was challenging, and we appreciated the unique approach FSCE/ePC brought with its closed-response and creative writing sections, which offered a refreshing and insightful perspective on student assessment. FSCE/ePC were always available to assist with a range of questions, from potential appeals to specific needs like colored paper. Overall, FSCE/ePC provided a seamless and highly professional service, and we would confidently recommend them to other schools.
Mr R. Tipler, Deputy Head Teacher, Heckmondwike Grammar School
I would highly recommend ePC to other schools seeking an automated marking solution for the 11-plus exam. Our school has saved a significant amount of time during this year’s admissions process by outsourcing both the design of the sheet and exam paper scanning with results issued to pupils in record time. We have greatly appreciated the personal contact and professional service provided; it has exceeded our expectations and my colleagues speak highly of it.
A.M. Robson, Chief Executive Officer, Reading School
The admissions process is pretty much non-stop, and the trajectory for every grammar school I’ve spoken to is that the numbers are increasing year on year, and we’re now talking far larger numbers than we were just 10 years ago. ePC has become a key partner in our entrance test offering to selective Grammar Schools and we expect our relationship to grow and strengthen in the coming years.
Caroline Mole, Director of Operations, Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE)
The admissions test is an essential part of who we are and what we do. I felt this year’s test was the most straightforward I’d been involved with over the last seven or eight years. It’s been a smooth transition from the previous supplier and the entire process felt hassle-free compared to previous years.
Julia Hitchcock, Admissions Secretary, Colyton Grammar School
Reading School release exam results faster by outsourcing 11-plus exam marking to ePC.
CGS mark 11 plus entrance exam in two days with ePC’s scanning bureau services and automated marking system.
ePC capture the 11-plus entrance test for Chelmsford County High School for Girls.
ePC process the 11-plus entrance test for Heckmondwike Grammar School.
ePC capture and mark the 11-plus entrance test for The Blue Coat School.
Do you manually mark hundreds (or thousands) of eleven plus exams every year? Are you seeking a more efficient method of extracting data from answer sheets ahead of test dates in September 2025 (for 2026 admission)?
TeleForm is available as an on-site, installed system with training and support or ePC can provide outsourced exam management services where our scanning bureau manages the entire process for you.
