The 11+ is a selective entrance exam children sit in Year 6, usually aged 10 or 11. Schools use it to decide who gets a place at a grammar school, and many private schools run a similar test. It is not part of normal school, and it is not compulsory. You choose to enter your child. Well over 200,000 children sit it each year, and only a minority, commonly estimated at around 11% to 16% nationally, win a grammar place.
- The 11+ is a selective entrance exam taken in Year 6 for grammar and many private schools.
- It usually tests four areas: maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
- It is voluntary and separate from SATs. You apply, and not every child sits it.
- Well over 200,000 sit each year and only a minority get a grammar place. Pass marks vary by school.
What is the 11+, exactly?
The 11+ is a test that sorts pupils for entry to selective secondary schools. Grammar schools use it to fill their places, and lots of independent schools set their own version with very similar content.
There are around 163 grammar schools in England and around 63 in Northern Ireland, so it is a big deal in some areas and almost unheard of in others. If your nearest secondary schools are all comprehensives, the 11+ may not be on your radar at all. Where grammar schools exist, competition can be fierce.
Who takes it, and when?
Children sit the 11+ in the autumn of Year 6, usually between September and November, at age 10 or 11. Results land in October, before the secondary school application deadline at the end of that month.
Anyone in Year 6 can enter, but you have to apply to each school or local authority yourself. It is opt-in, not automatic. If you are weighing it up, it helps to see when most families start preparing before you commit.
What does the 11+ test?
Most 11+ exams draw from four areas: maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Not every school tests all four, so the exact mix depends on where you apply. We break down each of the four subjects separately.
Two organisations write most of the papers, and they have different styles, which affects what you practise. The split between GL and CEM exam boards is worth understanding early. Papers also come in a few different formats, from written answers to online multiple-choice, and they vary in how long they last.
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning are not taught in primary school, so they feel alien at first. The good news is they are very learnable. A little regular exposure makes a huge difference, far more than last-minute cramming.
Is the 11+ the same as SATs?
No. SATs are compulsory national tests that every child takes, and they do not decide which secondary school your child attends. The 11+ is a separate, optional exam you choose to enter, and it does decide grammar entry.
Strong SATs results are a good sign, but they do not guarantee 11+ success. SATs cover the normal curriculum, while the 11+ adds reasoning that sits outside it. They are different tests with different aims.
Is it worth doing?
For the right child, yes, and I will not sit on the fence about it. A child who enjoys a challenge and copes well with pressure can thrive at a grammar school, and the preparation builds real skills either way.
For a child who would find intense academic competition stressful, a strong comprehensive can be the better fit. The exam is one morning; your child is far more than a score. If you do go for it, a calm, steady plan beats a frantic one, and a few minutes of daily practice with Pip keeps it light.