The 11 plus is a selective entrance exam taken by children in Year 6, typically at age 10 or 11, to determine whether they qualify for a place at a grammar school or selective independent school. It is one of the most significant academic assessments a primary school child will sit, not because it defines a child's ability, but because the outcome can shape which secondary school they attend from Year 7 onwards. Understanding what the exam actually involves — and how it works in practice — helps families make informed decisions about whether to apply and how to prepare.
Grammar schools in England are state-funded selective schools that use the 11 plus as their primary admissions test. There are around 163 grammar schools in England, concentrated in specific areas including Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire, Trafford, and parts of the West Midlands. In these fully selective areas, the 11 plus is a standard part of the Year 6 experience for many families.
Some partially selective areas, such as certain London boroughs, also have grammar schools operating alongside non-selective comprehensives. Additionally, a number of independent schools use their own entrance assessments at 11 plus level, though these are separate from the state grammar school tests and often have different formats and marking criteria.
It is worth noting that grammar schools do not exist in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland in the same form. The 11 plus as described here applies specifically to England.
While the exact content varies depending on the school and the test provider used, most 11 plus exams assess children across some or all of the following areas:
Not every school tests all four areas. Some focus purely on verbal and non-verbal reasoning, while others place greater emphasis on maths and English. This is why it is essential to check the specific requirements of each school your child is applying to, rather than assuming the format is universal.
One of the most confusing aspects of the 11 plus for families new to the process is that there is no single national exam. Two main test providers produce the assessments used by grammar schools across England: GL Assessment and CEM (the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, based at Durham University).
GL Assessment tests tend to have a more predictable structure, with clearly defined question types in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. Because the format is relatively consistent, children can practise using widely available GL-style papers.
CEM tests are designed to be harder to prepare for in a rote way. They often blend subject areas within a single paper and include a wider range of question styles. The aim is to assess underlying ability rather than reward extensive drilling. CEM tests are used in areas including Birmingham, Wiltshire, and parts of the North West.
Beyond the provider, individual school consortia sometimes set their own papers entirely. The Kent Test, for example, is administered by Kent County Council and has its own distinct format. The Buckinghamshire 11 plus uses GL Assessment but follows a specific local structure. In London, schools such as those in the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) use their own combined English and maths papers.
This regional variation means that preparation should always be tailored to the specific test your child will sit, not a generic version of the 11 plus.
Most families begin structured 11 plus preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, giving children roughly 12 to 18 months before the exam. The tests are usually sat in September or October of Year 6, with results and offers typically issued in the following weeks as part of the secondary school admissions process.
Starting early allows time to build skills gradually rather than cramming, which is particularly important for non-verbal reasoning and verbal reasoning — areas that are not formally taught in most primary schools. A child who has never encountered a verbal reasoning question before Year 6 will find the format unfamiliar, regardless of their underlying ability.
Effective preparation usually involves a combination of familiarisation with question types, timed practice under exam conditions, and targeted work on any weaker areas. For maths, this often means consolidating Year 5 and Year 6 curriculum content ahead of schedule. For English, it means building vocabulary and reading comprehension skills over time.
Working with a specialist tutor can make a significant difference, particularly for children who need structured support or whose schools do not cover the relevant content in depth. 11+ tuition with Leading Tuition is designed to match preparation to the specific test format and timeline relevant to each child.
It is also important to keep perspective. The 11 plus is one route into secondary education, not the only one. Children who do not pass still have access to excellent schools, and a child who is pushed into intensive preparation before they are ready may find the experience counterproductive.
When should my child start preparing for the 11 plus?
Most families begin in Year 4 or the start of Year 5, around 12 to 18 months before the exam. This allows time to build skills steadily without pressure. Starting earlier than Year 4 is rarely necessary, and starting in Year 6 can feel rushed, though it is not impossible to prepare effectively in a shorter timeframe depending on the child.
What is the difference between GL Assessment and CEM tests?
GL Assessment produces tests with a consistent, predictable structure across verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. CEM tests are designed to be less coachable, blending question types and varying the format to assess underlying reasoning ability. The test provider used depends on the school or local authority, so always check which applies to your target school.
Is there a pass mark for the 11 plus?
There is no single national pass mark. Each school or consortium sets its own qualifying score or standardised threshold, and in practice, entry is competitive — meaning a child may score above the qualifying mark but still not receive an offer if there are more qualifying applicants than places. Standardised scores (typically on a scale around 100) are used to rank applicants fairly across different sittings.
How do I find out which test my child's target school uses?
The most reliable source is the school's own admissions information, usually published on the school website or in the local authority's secondary admissions booklet. You can also contact the school's admissions office directly. For state grammar schools, the local authority website for that area will typically list the test provider and registration deadlines.
If you are considering support for your child's 11 plus preparation, you may find these pages helpful: 11+ tuition with Leading Tuition covers how structured tuition works across different test formats and regions. If your child needs to strengthen their maths ahead of the exam, our page on specialist Maths tutoring explains how targeted support can help build confidence and close gaps in the Key Stage 2 curriculum.
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