This week, nervous boys from all over Greater Manchester will arrive at the School to take the MGS entrance examination. The first entrance examination was introduced by High Master Frederick Walker in 1862. A more consistent form of examination was conceived in 1946, with Part 1 taken by all boys, and the top percentage of boys invited back for Part 2. This system endured with very few alterations until 2009, when an assessment day element was added alongside written papers. To read more on the history of the entrance exam, follow this link
Old Mancunians who would like to relive the experience of the their entrance exam can view past papers here
We have a number of photographs of boys on entrance exam day:

The entrance examination in the Art Halls, c. 1950s

The entrance exam in the 1950s

Parents and boys leaving the School, post-Entrance Examination, 1953

Crowds of boys and parents on Entrance Exam day, c .1965

Queuing for the Entrance Exam, c. 1965

For the last decade or so, boys have taken the Entrance Exam paper in the morning, and then in the afternoon select an activity which gives them a chance to experience the extra-curricular life of the School. Options have included Art, Fencing, Cricket, Hands on History, Water-polo and Computing.

Boys taking part in the Art activity, 2020

Science Activity, 2015

Hands on History Activity, 2015
I sat the entrance exam in 1955 and remember Old Hall Lane being crammed with cars and motor coaches dropping off boys prior to the starting time. I sat both parts in the Memorial Hall, but it seems from the photos that other areas were used, including the Art Hall. Do the records show how many entrants there were in the 1950s ?