Just wondering if there is any downside to ticking all of the options in the 'schools of interest' section on the application form. We are realistically only interested in Adams day, but is it sensible to tick Adams boarding and QMGS also just incase? Or would this count against us in anyway? Thanks!

It certainly would not count against you.

If you think there is a possibility in the future that you could consider QM, then it is worth ticking it to ensure that your score information is shared with the school for admissions.

Also, from my limited understanding, if you don't tick the QMGS box you won't find out your score as AGS don't tell you.

Although realistically we are only interested in Adams, we do not want the extra stress of a “highly recommended” letter with no score. Therefore, we have submitted our form to take the test at QMGS.
I have not ticked the box for interest in Adams, as the information on filling out the form explains how the boys may be asked to take the test at the other school, depending on numbers, and then will only get a results letter from the school that they have taken the test at!
As I understand it, as long as my son has taken the test and I have put Adams as my first choice on his CAF AND of course scored a high enough test score, whether or not I express an interest now makes no difference whether a place would be offered, surely?

Wouldn't that depend on whether it actually is just one score, based on the statistics for the whole group sitting that test (in which case, why the need to indicate at the stage of only registering for the test? That does not constitute an application for a place), or whether those expressing an interest for each school are standardised against only their separate cohorts? In that case, your 'Adams' score would not be exactly the same as your score for the other school, although it would be pretty close if almost everyone opted to share. If the cohorts are standardised separately, though, technically it would not be possible the apply to the school with which you had not opted to share.

What does it say in the schools' admissions policies?

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Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx

I thought it was as TM has described. You express interest in the schools that you want to share results with if you subsequently sit the test, so they can standardise the tests with the cohort for those....

Of course, if the process is not clearly explained and one school gives a score, but the other only indicates whether or not the candidate is 'encouraged to apply', or whatever, it's a bit hard to tell. (Asking parents of Adams candidates to indicate whether they are interested in a boarding place is okay, because the school is allowed to add the assessment for 'suitability for boarding' to the admissions process).

Perhaps someone registering for the test this year could ask one or both of the schools concerned?

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Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx

On both websites it says pretty much the same. A direct copy from Adams below:

Process
Boys sitting the test at Haberdashers' Adams will only receive a results letter from Adams. If you ticked the box to indicate you also have an interest in a place at Queen Mary’s Grammar School when completing the online form, you will not receive a separate letter from Queen Mary’s Grammar School- your son’s result will count for both schools. You must then include both schools on your preference form / common application form when you apply to the Local Authority.

Test
To be considered for a place, parents must complete the following:

1. Parents must complete the online registration form to take the Entrance Test before 4pm on the 6th July 2018.

2. Boys must sit the Entrance Test on the 17th September 2018

3. Parents must complete a separate application to their home Local Authority listing Haberdashers' Adams as a preference

Because Adams will not give out scores, the process is more convoluted for the boys, but it plainly states the score will count for both schools.

As far as I have heard , if you want to apply for a GS then you need to tick the box to express an interest in all of the schools you are interested in applying to. It doesn’t matter where you sit the test but you will need to tick Adams’ on the registration form in addition to QM. The score will count for both schools but as I understand it, it won’t be shared with Adams’ if you don’t select it as an option on the form. Even if you put Adams first on the CAF form they will not consider you for a place as they won’t have an 11 plus score listed for your DS.

FWIW we actually got separate letters from each school with the scores (this didn’t include Adams’ though).