Torquay Boys' Grammar School

Torquay Boys' Grammar School runs its own entrance exam using GL Assessment papers. The exam covers the four standard GL components: Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths and English. As a selective school, it attracts strong candidates, but it's not among the most intensely competitive grammar schools nationally — so whilst the paper is challenging, it's not extreme.

The exam is broadly in line with standard GL difficulty, though vocabulary emerges as a particularly important area. Local tutors consistently recommend building a strong vocabulary bank (including less common Tier 2 and Tier 3 words) as a key preparation strategy. Verbal Reasoning is where vocabulary and pattern recognition matter most, and this is where less-prepared candidates tend to lose marks.

The other sections are fairly predictable. Maths covers solid GL-style content based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum, with some stretch questions for higher scorers — nothing unusually abstract or tricky. English comprehension passages are age-appropriate but require careful, thoughtful reading rather than just surface-level fact-finding; inference questions are included. Time pressure is moderate overall, so children who have practised pacing shouldn't feel severely rushed.

You'll want to check the school's admissions page directly for the current registration deadline and exam date, as well as the exact number of places available. The school doesn't publish a qualifying score, so focus your child's preparation on doing their best across all four papers rather than aiming for a specific mark.