Nationally, only a minority of children who sit the 11+ go on to secure a grammar school place. Estimates commonly range from about 11% to 16% depending on the year and how sitters are counted, and well over 200,000 children take some form of the 11+ each year, so the competition is real. The headline figure also hides big regional differences, from under a fifth in areas with few grammar places to a third or more in high-provision counties such as Kent. The percentage is really about places, not ability.
- Only a minority secure a grammar place, with estimates around 11% to 16% nationally.
- Well over 200,000 children take some form of the 11+ each year across England and Northern Ireland.
- Pass rates vary widely by area, from under a fifth in some places to a third or more in counties like Kent.
- The rate reflects the number of available places, not your child's ability.
What is the national 11+ pass rate?
Across the country, only a minority of children who sit the 11+ end up with a grammar school place, with estimates commonly between about 11% and 16% depending on the year and how sitters are counted. With well over 200,000 children sitting some form of the 11+ each year, it is a competitive picture overall.
Part of the reason is simple supply. England has 163 grammar schools and Northern Ireland has around 63, and they can only offer as many places as they have seats. So the national rate is shaped as much by the number of schools as by how children perform on the 11+ exam itself.
Why pass rates vary by area
The single biggest factor is how many grammar places an area has compared with how many children apply. Where grammar places are plentiful relative to demand, more children pass. Where they are scarce, fewer do.
That is why published rates look so different from place to place, with high-provision counties such as Kent admitting a far higher share than areas with only a handful of grammar schools. Your child is not competing against the whole country, but against the children chasing the same local places, which is also why the pass mark is set locally rather than nationally.
A low national rate does not mean your child has a low chance. The percentage reflects how many seats exist, not your child's ability. With the right preparation and a sensible list of schools, the odds that matter are the local ones you can influence.
What this means for your child
Read the percentages as information about supply, not as a verdict on your child. The number that counts is how your child performs against the children competing for the same schools.
It also pays to remember that passing and getting a place are two different things. Even strong scorers can be affected by oversubscription, so it is worth understanding how a child can pass the 11+ and still not get a place before you finalise your choices.
How to give your child the best chance
Steady, broad preparation started in good time is the most reliable way to improve your child's odds. Cramming rarely beats consistency.
Begin early enough to build skills calmly, which our guide to when to start preparing sets out, and use mock exams to build stamina and confidence. A few minutes of daily practice with Pip keeps every subject moving forward between those bigger milestones.