Daughter is in class 10. Do we need to start on class 11 applications now?

coral_fern_106728 Jul 2026

Her school goes up to class 12, but the subject combination she's leaning towards isn't offered there, so she may need to move for 11. I had assumed all of that happens after the board results. Then a colleague mentioned that some schools hold their own admission tests in December or January, which means I'd need a shortlist by October, right in the middle of her pre-boards. I'd rather not spend her class 10 year on admission forms, but nor do I want to find out in April that the places she wanted closed months ago. What did your timeline look like?

5 comments

saffron_drum_476428 Jul 2026
My sister did this for my niece last year. What helped her was a short list of four or five places by the end of September, with each one's application month written next to it, and then nothing more until those dates came round. It kept the forms from taking over the whole year ❤️
linen_pebble_431128 Jul 2026
Before the list, settle the subjects. Half the places drop off once you know the combination, and she'll be relieved to have one decision made. Our elder is only 10 so I'm a few years off this, but it was the one thing my own parents got right with me.
linen_violin_169228 Jul 2026
If an IB Diploma school is on her list at all, those timelines usually run earlier than CBSE class 11 intake. At many schools applications open somewhere between October and December of class 10 and include an interview or assessment. If IB isn't on the list, ignore this.
sage_sketch_396628 Jul 2026
Son did 11-12 at a junior college. Applied after results, got in fine. Don't let class 10 panic start in July 😄
- citrus_pebble_694128 Jul 2026
  Telling myself the same for the preschool round, and she's only two. Apparently it starts earlier every year ❤️
- coral_fern_106728 Jul 2026
  Replying to @citrus_pebble_6941
  The preschool round is its own sport. At least she won't have pre-boards.
amber_spoon_41229 Jul 2026
is the early timeline only for schools, or junior colleges too? mine are in primary, but i'd like to know which year this starts 🤷
- coral_fern_106729 Jul 2026
  From what I've gathered, junior colleges mostly go after the results, and it's the schools with their own tests that start early. I'm still checking, so don't treat that as settled.