Only applicants who have selected BOA Digital as one of their secondary school preferences via the local authority by 31st October 2026 and have registered for the Fair Banding test will receive an invitation to sit the assessment. 

The Fair Banding test will take place on Saturday 21^st November 2026 at 10am, you will receive a confirmation email with further information 2 weeks before the fair banding assessment.

Applicants who sit the Fair Banding test will be considered for admission first. Those who do not take the test will be classed as ‘non-banded’ and will be ranked for admission after all banded applicants, according to the published oversubscription criteria 

Our NVR test is multiple choice checkbox questions looking at abstract shapes and sequences. There is no writing or calculus component. The instructions are read aloud as well as being presented in front of them. Participants go through each section collectively and have time at the end to go back and check their answers. Staff are on hand to assist where possible.

BOA Digital will use fair banding to ensure a comprehensive intake across the full ability range. All applicants who take the test will complete a standardised non-verbal reasoning assessment; this is not a pass or fail test. Based on the results, applicants will be placed into one of five ability bands — Band 1 being the highest ability and Band 5 the lowest. Places will then be allocated proportionally from each band to reflect a broad and balanced intake.

You can read more about the Fair Banding process in our Admissions policy here.

If you have any more questions email admissions@boa-digital.co.uk.