Admissions > Common Entrance
Candidates' performance will be assessed on the basis of grades awarded on the following scale in each paper:
| A: | 70% + |
| B: | 60% - 69% |
| C: | 50% -59% |
| D: | less than 50% |
To qualify for admission candidates will be expected to achieve at least Grade B in each of the compulsory papers, with the proviso that lesser grades in some papers may be balanced by excellence in others: the effective pass-mark is usually an overall average of 65% or so.
Prep school Heads and parents will receive each candidate's grades and overall average mark when the results are sent out immediately after the examination. Parents will not receive individual paper marks but these will be made available, in confidence, to Prep schools at the end of the term in which the candidate has sat the examination.
Candidates who do not quite meet the academic requirements set out above may still be considered for admission if their performance is supported by excellence in other respects. In these cases account will be taken of exceptional academic performance in any subject or group of subjects; qualities of leadership and character; musical, artistic, dramatic, or other creative ability; and athletic talent. Assessment of these qualities will be based on Prep school reports as confirmed by the Novi Visit. Candidates with particular talent in music, art, drama, technology or sport are encouraged to sit for the Music, Art, Drama, Technology or Cowdrey Scholarships, since even if they do not succeed in winning an award their performance may contribute to success at Common Entrance.
All boys take Latin for at least their first year at Tonbridge. It is hoped, therefore, that the majority of Common Entrance candidates will continue to offer Latin in the examination. There is, however, provision for boys to start Latin from scratch at Tonbridge, and candidates who do not offer the subject for Common Entrance do not in any way prejudice their chances of admission. Optional papers may also be taken in Greek, German, or Spanish.