The 11+ Exam is an academic entrance test taken by children in Year 6 in parts of the UK to determine eligibility for entry into grammar schools—state-funded secondary schools that select pupils based on academic ability. The exam usually takes place in the Autumn term of Year 6, typically in September, and results are released in mid-October, allowing parents to make secondary school applications before the national deadline at the end of October.
Although commonly referred to as the 11+ Exam, the official name varies depending on the region. For example:
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In Buckinghamshire, it is officially called the Secondary Transfer Test.
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In Kent, it is known as the Kent Test.
Despite these formal names, most parents, children and schools simply call it the 11+ Exam or 11+ Test for ease. This is the case even though in most areas the 11+ consists of at least two separate test papers, often sat on the same day with a short break between the two test papers.
Not all parts of the UK have grammar schools. Areas that do have grammar schools include Birmingham, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Kent, Lincolnshire, Trafford, South West Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, The Wirral and parts of London (such as Barnet, Bexleyheath, Enfield, Kingston and Sutton). Some highly selective schools, such as Henrietta Barnett, Latymer School (Edmonton), QE Boys, Reading School and Kendrick School run their own 11+ entrance exams.
WHAT DOES THE 11+ ASSESS?
The 11+ tests are designed to measure a child’s academic ability. To do this the 11+ assesses a child’s skills across a combination of subjects, often including:
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English (English comprehension skills, spelling, punctuation and grammar, as well as English vocabulary knowledge)
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Mathematics (problem-solving and numerical reasoning using Key Stage 2 maths skills)
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Verbal Reasoning (logical thinking involving words or numbers)
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Non-Verbal Reasoning (patterns, shapes and visual reasoning - 3D concepts are also tested in some areas)
Most counties, including Buckinghamshire, use tests provided by GL Assessment®, although some individual grammar schools use bespoke papers. Reading School has formed its own examination provider, Future Stories Community Enterprise Limited (FSCE). The FSCE 11+ tests are used by a small number of grammar schools in other areas of the country, including Colyton Grammar School (Devon) and Chelmsford County High School for Girls (Essex). Most other grammar schools in Essex are members of the Consortium for Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE). CSSE writes its own English and Maths 11+ tests (which can also include some verbal reasoning questions).
A few grammar schools also include a creative writing element to their 11+ testing process. This is less common as the written scripts have to be marked individually by team of professional examiners, which can be a significant cost to the school, and there is inevitably an element of subjectivity introduced to the marking process (although moderation is used to ensure that all candidates are treated fairly).
REGISTRATION AND LOCATION
The process for entering a child into the 11+ Exam depends on the grammar school or area you are applying to.
In some counties, such as Buckinghamshire, children attending state primary schools within the county are automatically entered for the 11+ Exam (officially called the Secondary Transfer Test in Bucks) unless parents actively opt out.
Children attending independent or out-of-county schools must register directly with the local authority. The 11+ test registration window is usually open during the springtime when the child is in Year 5 at school. It is extremely important to ensure a child is registered during the registration window, as most areas have strict rules and do not permit late registration, except in exceptional circumstances.
In other areas, or for some individual grammar schools (such as Latymer School), parents must apply directly to the consortium or school to register their child for the 11+ entrance exam.
Where the exam is taken also varies:
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In areas like Buckinghamshire, children often sit the exam at their own primary school or partner school (prep schools in the area can apply to be partner schools, which then allows their pupils to sit the 11+ tests in their prep school).
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For grammar schools in other areas, it is common for the exam to be sat at a specific test centre or at the grammar school itself. There can often be hundreds of pupils attending testing on the same day, often with morning and afternoon sittings held so they can accommodate all candidates.
Independent (private) schools have separate entrance exams, which are different to the grammar school 11+ tests. Parents must apply to those schools individually, following their own admissions procedure. Rather confusingly, independent school tests are also often referred to as 11+ tests. This will be the case where the entrance test selects pupils to enter the school at the beginning of Year 7 (at which time, the child will be 11 years or older: thus, the student will be “11+”, which is where the name originates from).
As the procedures differ across counties and schools, parents should always check the relevant county council, consrtioum or individual grammar school websites carefully and plan well ahead of deadlines. It is recommended to make a diary note of the registration window, where necessary, and to register your child as soon as the registration facility opens. Parents should ensure they receive confirmation of registration: most registration systems are now online and an automated email should be issued by way of confirmation. Check the details carefully.
11+ FORMAT
The format of the 11+ Exam varies depending on the area or school:
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In many regions, the exam consists of two multiple-choice papers, each lasting approximately 45-60 minutes.
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Some regions combine subjects into a single paper (e.g. English and Verbal Reasoning together), while others keep them separate.
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11+ exams increasingly feature audio instructions guiding students through each section under strict timed conditions. This is to help further standardise the testing procedure between different test centres.
In Buckinghamshire, children first sit a Practice Test under full exam conditions a few days before the real test. This familiarisation test is not marked but helps children understand the format and environment to help reduce anxiety. This also gives the primary schools and partner schools (who may not run important external exams very frequently) an opportunity to check they have all of their arrangements in order for the official Bucks 11+ tests, which take place later in the same week.
WHEN DOES THE 11+ TAKE PLACE?
Most 11+ exams take place in September when the child has just started Year 6 at school.
In areas like Buckinghamshire:
HOW ARE 11+ RESULTS SHARED AND SCORED?
Results are usually issued in mid-October, giving parents time to make secondary school applications by the 31st October national deadline. If your child has ‘passed’ the 11+ for a local grammar school, you will be able to put that school down as a choice on the Common Application Form (CAF). Parents in these circumstances will usually state the grammar school as their first choice of secondary school but please take advice from your child's Headteacher if you are in doubt.
Results are usually released via:
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An online portal
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Email; or
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Letter
The 11+ Exam uses age-standardised scores to ensure fairness. This adjusts a child's score according to their exact age in years and complete months, meaning younger students within a year group are not disadvantaged compared to their older peers.
In Buckinghamshire, a standardised age score of 121 is the threshold for qualifying for grammar school eligibility.
WHY 11+ PREPARATION MATTERS AND HOW SDE CAN HELP
Specialist 11+ preparation is helpful to equip children with the right techniques, knowledge and exam strategies.
At Susan Daughtrey Education (SDE), we specialise in high-quality 11+ preparation for children targeting grammar schools in Buckinghamshire, Slough, South West Hertfordshire, and selective schools such as Henrietta Barnett, QE Boys, Reading School and Kendrick. We have seven 11+ Tuition Centres based in Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire, Bushey in SW Hertfordshire and in Earley and Langley in Berkshire.
For families with Year 4 and Year 5 pupils living outside of these areas, we also offer an Online 11+ Course which covers all four 11+ subjects (English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning) and is designed for GL Assessment 11+ candidates.
Our approach is carefully structured to support each stage of a child’s 11+ journey:
Year 4 Foundation Course
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Designed to build early skills in English, Maths and reasoning.
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Focuses on developing the strong foundations (core skills) needed in advance of the more intensive Year 5 11+ preparation.
Year 5 11+ Course
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A comprehensive 11+ Tuition Course covering all components of the GL Assessment® 11+ tests.
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Includes expertly designed lessons, SDE’s own carefully crafted materials and hybrid classroom facilities (allowing children to attend the occasional lesson virtually if necessary).
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We also offer bespoke Year 5 courses for specific schools, including the SW Herts Consortium and Reading Boys.
At every stage, SDE's qualified and experienced teachers, superb facilities, online resources, and proven techniques are geared towards maximising each child’s prospects of 11+ success.
Additional 11+ Preparation Options at SDE
In addition to our main courses, we offer a range of optional extras to support and boost your child's preparation:
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11+ Mock Exams: Realistic practice exams that replicate real test conditions, including audio instructions and multiple-choice answer sheets, where relevant. We offer bespoke 11+ Mock Exams for the following areas and schools:
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Buckinghamshire
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Slough Consortium
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South West Hertfordshire
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Henrietta Barnett (Round One)
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Latymer School, Edmonton
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Queen Elizabeth School (QE Boys)
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Reading School (Reading Boys)
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Kendrick School
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For students enrolled on our Year 5 11+ Course:
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11+ Mini Mocks:
Included as part of the Year 5 Course to track progress earlier in Year 5.
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11+ Workshops:
Optional workshop sessions in Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning or Non-Verbal Reasoning to address individual weaknesses identified through our 11+ Mini Mocks.
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11+ Refresher Course:
Optional 10 ½ hour revision course held in late August, shortly before the actual 11+ Exam.
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11+ Summer Intensive Course:
An intensive ‘revision and testing’ course over five days, ideal for those who have not attended the full Year 5 SDE course but who still wish to benefit from expert final 11+ preparation.
The content of this article is general in nature and is not a substitute for thorough research by parents. The arrangements for the 11+ exams vary widely between areas, and there are often changes from year to year. You should consult the official sources of information in your area, such as the grammar school admissions policies, local authority website and/or local 11+ exam testing consortium website. Do not rely on information on third-party websites, as it may be incorrect or out of date.