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From the blog · July 13, 2026

SET Stage 1 in September 2026: key dates and what to expect on the day

By Manju Pillai

Registration for the September 2026 sitting of the Sutton SET is expected to open in May. Here are the dates families should pin to the fridge, based on the pattern of previous years. Always confirm against the schools’ own admissions pages once published.

Key dates

  • May 2026: SET registration opens on the participating schools’ websites.
  • Early August 2026: registration closes. Late entries are rarely accepted.
  • Mid September 2026: Stage 1 sat at the participating schools.
  • Early October 2026: results issued; Stage 2 invitations follow.
  • 31 October 2026: national CAF deadline. List your preferences before results if advised.

On the day

Children sit two multiple-choice papers with a short break between them. Bring the confirmation email, a named water bottle and nothing else: pencils and erasers are provided at most centres. The morning is long, so a proper breakfast beats a nervous one.

If you are starting preparation now, our complete parents’ guide to the SET covers the format and a term-by-term plan. [Dates to be confirmed by Manju against the 2026 admissions pages.]

New to the 11+? Start with our guides and free resources, or download a free sample paper to see the standard.