If your child is approaching the end of primary school and you're considering a grammar school place, you've almost certainly come across the term "11 plus." But what the exam actually involves, how it works in your area, and what preparation looks like in practice — these are questions that deserve a straight answer. This post covers everything you need to know.
The 11 plus (often written as 11+) is a selective entrance exam taken in Year 6, typically when children are aged 10 or 11. It is used by grammar schools and some independent schools to assess whether a child is suited to a selective academic environment. Results usually determine entry to Year 7 — the first year of secondary school.
The exam is not part of the national curriculum and is not sat by every child. It is entirely separate from SATs, which are taken in Year 6 as a measure of primary school attainment. The 11+ is specifically designed to identify academic potential, and in many areas, competition for grammar school places is significant. In Kent, for example, there are over 30 grammar schools — one of the highest concentrations in England — and thousands of children sit the test each year.
It is worth knowing that grammar schools are state-funded and free to attend. Passing the 11+ does not guarantee a place, but it is the essential first step in the application process.
Grammar schools are the most common users of the 11+, but the picture varies considerably depending on where you live. Fully selective local authority areas — sometimes called grammar school areas — include Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and parts of Essex, Hertfordshire, and the Wirral. In these areas, the 11+ plays a central role in secondary school admissions.
Outside these areas, some individual grammar schools exist within otherwise comprehensive systems. Birmingham, for instance, has a small number of selective schools that each set their own admissions tests. London has grammar schools in boroughs such as Barnet, Bexley, Kingston, and Sutton, each operating independently.
Some independent schools also use their own version of the 11+ or a similar entrance assessment, though these are often school-specific papers rather than the standardised tests used by grammar schools. If you are applying to an independent school, it is worth checking directly with the school what their entrance process involves.
While the exact format varies by region and test provider, most 11+ exams assess children across some combination of the following four areas:
Not every test includes all four components. Some areas focus heavily on verbal and non-verbal reasoning, while others place greater weight on English and maths. The number of papers, the time allowed, and whether calculators or rough paper are permitted all differ depending on the test provider and the school consortium running the exam.
This is one of the most important things to understand: there is no single national 11+ exam. The test your child sits will depend entirely on where you live and which schools you are applying to.
There are two main test providers used across England. GL Assessment (formerly Granada Learning) produces standardised tests used in many areas including Kent, Buckinghamshire, and parts of the North West. Their papers tend to have a more traditional format, with separate verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English papers. CEM (the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, based at Durham University) produces tests used in areas including Birmingham, parts of Yorkshire, and some London boroughs. CEM tests are generally considered less predictable in format — they often blend verbal and non-verbal elements within a single paper and are designed to be harder to prepare for through rote practice alone.
Some areas operate through a consortium of schools that set a shared test, while others allow individual schools to set their own papers. Buckinghamshire, for example, uses a single county-wide test administered by GL Assessment. In contrast, some London grammar schools each run their own admissions process with different papers and different timetables.
Because of this variation, the single most important step before beginning any preparation is finding out exactly which test your child will be sitting. The format, timing, and content of your preparation should be built around that specific exam.
Preparation for the 11+ typically starts in Year 4 or early Year 5, giving children roughly one to two years before they sit the exam in the autumn of Year 6. Most grammar school 11+ tests take place in September or October of Year 6, with results and offers usually following in the autumn or early spring.
Starting early does not mean drilling past papers from age eight. In the earlier stages, the focus is usually on building strong foundations — reading widely, developing mental arithmetic, and becoming comfortable with the types of reasoning questions that appear in the exam. Formal practice papers and timed conditions tend to be introduced closer to the exam, typically in Year 5 and into the summer before Year 6.
A realistic preparation plan might include regular reading for comprehension and vocabulary, weekly maths practice covering the full Key Stage 2 curriculum, and gradual introduction to verbal and non-verbal reasoning question types. Many families work with a tutor during this period to provide structure, identify gaps, and build a child's confidence under timed conditions.
It is also worth being honest with your child about what the exam is and why they are preparing for it. Children who understand the purpose of their preparation tend to engage with it more willingly than those who simply find themselves doing extra work without context.
Leading Tuition works with many families preparing for the 11+, and one consistent finding is that children who begin with a clear understanding of the exam format — and who practise in a way that matches the specific test they will sit — tend to feel far more settled on the day itself.
When should my child start preparing for the 11 plus?
Most families begin structured preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, around 12 to 18 months before the exam. Starting earlier allows time to build skills gradually rather than cramming. However, the right starting point depends on your child's current level, the competitiveness of the schools you are targeting, and which test provider is used in your area.
What is the difference between GL Assessment and CEM tests?
GL Assessment tests tend to follow a more predictable structure, with clearly separated papers for verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. CEM tests are designed to be less formulaic — they often combine question types within a single paper and place greater emphasis on speed and adaptability. Because CEM tests are harder to prepare for through repetition alone, they generally require a broader approach to preparation that builds genuine reasoning ability rather than pattern recognition.
Is there a pass mark for the 11 plus?
There is no single universal pass mark. Each school or consortium sets its own threshold, and in practice the effective cut-off shifts each year depending on how many children sit the test and how many places are available. In highly competitive areas, children may need to score in the top 10 to 15 percent of all candidates to receive an offer. Standardised scores (often with a mean of 100) are commonly used, but what counts as a competitive score varies significantly by school and by year.
How do I find out which test my child's target school uses?
The most reliable source is the school's own admissions information, which is usually published on the school website and updated each academic year. Your local authority's secondary admissions guidance will also list the tests used by grammar schools in the area. If you are unsure, contacting the school's admissions office directly is always the clearest option — they can confirm the test provider, the number of papers, the subjects covered, and the registration deadline.
The 11+ can feel like a significant hurdle, but it becomes much more manageable once you understand exactly what it involves for your child's specific situation. Knowing the test format, starting preparation at a sensible pace, and keeping the process as low-pressure as possible all make a genuine difference — both to results and to your child's experience along the way.
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