kclms

hii I am in y10 and thinking of applying to kings maths school. does anyone who's applied/goes there have any insights on what the admissions test looks like (I heard its harder than the specimen on the website) and the interview. also If anyone who goes there would be able to tell me about it that would be great!

Hey. I applied to KCLMS, but didn't get in. I do remember the test, so I want to give you my experience that day.
Basically, they rent out a giant building with a hall, and you end up waiting outside the hall until you are let in. I arrived close to the start time, but by then, there was pretty much 4 endless rows of people waiting to start. Then, you go past a teacher on a desk, and you hand over some ID. Then, you are brought to a desk in the hall itself with well over 100 people. And there are 4 of these "exams" with thousands of people, so basically, the applicant pool is endless.
In the exam itself, even if they tell you to bring a pencil, you don't need to; they give you everything you need. Then, you start the exam, you have 1 hour and 30 minutes to do 10 MCQs and like 8 normal UKMT/GCSE questions. They don't expect you to complete them all, just to show off how much you know. With the specimen paper, I thought it was just as difficult - you need to have some sort of abstract thinking to get in. But, the exam stress will make it seem like it is worse.
Honestly, after the exam, I wouldn't think about it much. Not alot of people would remember or want to share their answers, and it adds to the stress. I don't know about the interviews, as I was rejected, but I hope this gives you a bit of insight. It may look intimidating, but honestly, do apply. There is no shame in trying, and even if I didn't get in, I got the experience, and I am still going to a maths school, so it worked out. I hope the best for you, and if you have any more questions, please ask.

this is really useful thank you! what level maths challenge would you say the questions were (kangaroo, Olympiad?). also are you going to imperial now? if so was that a similar process - I am sort of thinking of applying although it's much harder to get to and has more narrow subject choices. thanks!

My son did the test a few months ago. He thought it was a bit harder then the specimen paper but not so difficult overall.
Kings say the level of the test is intermediate UKMT level and suggest you do some of their past papers as prep.
The test was at the Excel centre in East London. About 1300 people took the test and there are about 70 places. Whilst queuing for the test to start, I could hear some kids commenting on just how many people were taking the test and getting a bit nervous as it seemed so competitive.
Don't let that put you off. A lot of applicants will have applied to several other top schools in London and Kings won't be the first choice for many. On the train on the way home I overhead a large bunch of kids who went to the same school talking about the test and 6th form choice. Most of them had another school as first choice.
Also most of the maths schools offer entrance test prep sessions. They can be online or in person. My son went to one of them and found it useful.

hii I am in y10 and thinking of applying to kings maths school. does anyone who's applied/goes there have any insights on what the admissions test looks like (I heard its harder than the specimen on the website) and the interview. also If anyone who goes there would be able to tell me about it that would be great!

I applied last year and have an offer for 2025. Around 150 people are selected for an interview from over a thousand candidates. The test itself is very similar to the specimen questions, just slightly harder. It's around the level of IMC or JMO. The best way to practice is by doing those questions as you are tested on your thinking. I'd recommend doing a few challenging maths questions every week during the build up to the exam. The interview also has a test involved. They teach you a bit of maths and you have to do some questions related to it. It's a way of testing how well you can learn new topics and apply new topics with guidance. There is also a personal part where they get to know you and see how well you might fit into to the KCLMS environment.

thank you this is very helpful. also put of interest what is your offer for? I know they have minimum grade requirements online but was curious how high the actual offers are

8 in Maths, 7 in Physics (or 7-7 in combined science), 5 in English Language and 7 passes including the others.

thank you that is very reassuring - I had never thought about people applying who did not have it as a first choice but it makes perfect sense. I will have a look out for the online prep sessions!
I have done the intermediate ukmt since y7 so I am pretty familiar with the questions.
thank you so much for the help - good luck for your son's sixth form!

thank you. I hope you enjoy it when you are there and gl with your exams

Also look if you can join any of the school’s maths outreach activities. Look on the KCLMS website, they run sessions during school holidays and more regular sessions during term time.
All the maths schools are incentivised to run such outreach activities, especially for under-represented groups like girls, those on lower family incomes etc. You could also check out Imperial Maths School in North London and Surrey maths school too.
We found out about these activities too late to join any but if you can get on them, it should give you a good insight into the schools as well as help to develop your skills.

i have applied to the girls physics and maths summer school and will hear back next week. I would apply to imperial and Surrey but they would both take over 1hr30 to get to so I'm not sure it's worth it especially since I would like to do philosophy which they don't offer

i have applied to the girls physics and maths summer school and will hear back next week. I would apply to imperial and Surrey but they would both take over 1hr30 to get to so I'm not sure it's worth it especially since I would like to do philosophy which they don't offer

8 in Maths, 7 in Physics (or 7-7 in combined science), 5 in English Language and 7 passes including the others.

Just a note on KCLMS. For my year they aren't offering philosophy but it's entirely possible that next year they'll expand and offer it. I don't know it for a fact but it's possible.

This is the 'standard' KCLMS offer, my son got the same one.
Imperial's standard offer is a lot higher I think. My son's offer was an average of 7.5 across eight subjects IIRC.

really how come? it says on the webpage that they do it. did not enough people take it?

IIRC there were plans to expand for 2025 but these fell through. They were initially going to do Econ, CS, Physics, or philosophy as the 3rd A level. I don't know what happened to philosophy. As the plans to expand fell through they don't have enough teachers to expand the curriculum or something like that. That's just for my year though. I don't know what the curriculum will be for 2026 entry and I don't know if philosophy will be introduced or not but there's a chance.