11 Plus exam-day checklist: what to bring and check

The most important thing to bring to an 11 Plus test is what the organiser actually asks for. Schools differ on stationery, identification, watches, clothing and refreshments. Use the invitation and candidate instructions to make your final packing list; a general checklist cannot override them.

Your packing checklist

Tick each item only after checking the latest instructions. Write “provided by venue” where appropriate. This prevents a long generic shopping list from becoming a source of last-minute worry.

Pencils, pens and pencil cases: check the local rule

The King’s School, Grantham FAQ currently asks for two HB pencils and an eraser. Buckinghamshire’s testing guide says the materials children need are provided. These contrasting examples show why one packing list does not fit every 11 Plus test.

Do not substitute a pen because another school uses written answers, or assume a ruler, calculator, highlighter or geometry set is allowed. Check whether a pencil case is permitted and what sort. If instructions are unclear, ask before the day rather than arriving with equipment you hope will be accepted.

Documents and identification

Look for a document specifically described as an admission card, test invitation or candidate identification requirement. Match your child’s name, venue, session and candidate details to the registration confirmation. If the name or date of birth is wrong, contact the organiser promptly.

There is no general instruction here to take a passport, birth certificate or photograph. Supply those only where requested, in the format specified. Keep the adult’s copy of the invitation and contact information accessible; do not rely on your child remembering a registration number.

Watches, phones and other devices

A simple analogue watch is not automatically allowed. King’s Grantham currently prohibits watches as well as phones and other smart devices, and says a clock will be visible. Read your venue’s device rules, including arrangements for any medical device, before deciding what your child should wear or carry.

Check pockets and bags together before entry. If a child travels independently with a phone, establish the permitted handover or storage procedure in advance. Do not assume that switching a device off makes possession acceptable.

Food, water, clothing and comfort

Pack water or a snack only in the form allowed. Check whether the snack is for a break, whether it stays outside the test room and whether there are allergy restrictions. There is no universal required bottle size or special exam food. Choose a familiar breakfast and avoid turning the morning into an experiment.

Some organisers require primary-school uniform; others give different guidance. Consider the journey and any outdoor queue as well as the test room. Check that your child knows where their glasses, coat and other belongings will be kept.

Medication and access arrangements

Arrange medical needs and access arrangements through the organiser’s procedure well before the test. Bringing a note or diagnosis letter on the morning does not itself approve extra time, a separate room or equipment. Confirm arrangements in writing and keep the relevant contact details with the adult.

• Who receives medication or medical instructions, and when?
• Can the child access an inhaler or other necessary treatment as agreed?
• What should the child do if they feel unwell?
• Does the approved arrangement change their room, breaks or collection time?

Our extra-time and access-arrangements guide explains the distinction between requesting support and receiving approval. Check deadlines for the actual 2027 test cycle when published.

The evening before and the morning of the test

1. 1Re-read the latest message, including attachments. Confirm the venue entrance, session, arrival window and collection point.
2. 2Prepare the permitted kit with your child and put the adult’s documents and contact details in one place.
3. 3Plan the journey with a reasonable margin for traffic or parking, following any local drop-off instructions.
4. 4Explain the handover simply: where you separate, how they ask an invigilator for help and where you meet afterwards.
5. 5Keep the final conversation calm. A short reminder to listen to instructions is more useful than introducing new techniques at the gate.

Use the organiser’s collection time, not a guess based on paper lengths. Our duration guide explains why working time differs from time at the venue.

Illness, missing items or problems during the test

If your child is unwell before the test, contact the organiser through its stated absence procedure and ask what happens next. Do not assume another date is automatic or that a later appeal will resolve the issue. Check any evidence requirements directly.

If an item is missing, tell staff rather than asking your child to improvise. Explain that they should raise a hand if they feel ill or need help during the test. Afterwards, report a significant incident promptly and factually through the organiser’s route; record what happened and when without trying to reconstruct confidential questions.

Once practical issues are dealt with, let the child decompress. Avoid an immediate interrogation about marks or comparing their experience with other children’s accounts.