Do independent schools use the 11 Plus?

What is the 11 Plus Exam?

The 11 Plus exam is a selective entrance test taken by Year 6 pupils (age 10-11) for entry into grammar schools and some independent schools, typically consisting of verbal reasoning (50 questions, 25 mins), numerical reasoning (50 questions, 25 mins), non-verbal reasoning (50 questions, 25 mins), and English/maths assessments.

Providers like GL Assessment and CEM Select set the exam formats. GL Assessment uses traditional multiple-choice questions, while CEM Select focuses on broader reasoning with varied question types. Parents often choose practice papers from these providers to match local consortium exams.

The test lasts 2 to 2.5 hours in total, split across sessions. Pass marks range from 109 to 121+ on age-standardized scores, with top 25% percentile ranks commonly needed for selective places. Schools adjust thresholds based on applicant numbers and catchment areas.

According to 2023 GL Assessment data, over 180,000 pupils sit the exam annually. The four core subjects include:

• Verbal reasoning: 50 questions, 25 minutes, testing vocabulary and logic.
• Numerical reasoning: 50 questions, 25 minutes, covering maths skills without a calculator.
• Non-verbal reasoning: 50 questions, 25 minutes, using shapes and patterns.
• English or maths: Varies by provider, often 30-50 questions in 25-30 minutes.

Preparation involves practice tests like Bond papers to build speed and accuracy. Experts recommend regular mock exams to familiarise children with the format and reduce stress management issues on test day.

Overview of Independent Schools

UK independent schools (3,000+ institutions per ISC 2023 data) charge average termly fees of £5,000-£15,000 and educate 7% of pupils, offering superior A-Level results (48% A*-A vs 25% state sector). The Independent Schools Council (ISC) represents around 2,500 member schools with over 500,000 pupils. These schools often feature smaller class sizes, with 80% having fewer than 20 pupils per class.

Independent schools divide into categories like prep schools (around 60%), senior schools (30%), and boarding schools (20%). Prep schools focus on children up to age 13, preparing them for Common Entrance or 11 Plus exams. Senior schools cater to ages 11-18, while boarding options provide residential education.

Fee ranges vary widely, from £4,000 per term for day places to over £12,000 for boarding, as noted in the ISC Annual Census 2023. Academic outcomes shine, with high rates of pupils progressing to top universities. Parents choose these for selective admissions processes, including entrance exams like the 11 Plus or ISEB PreTest.

Many independent schools act as feeders to Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions. They offer bursaries and scholarships to support access. This overview sets the stage for understanding their role in 11 Plus usage during school admissions.

Definition and Characteristics

Independent schools are privately funded via fees (avg £18,000/year), regulated by ISC/GSA/HMC, and characterized by selective academic entry (60%+ use entrance testing), superior facilities, and 95% university progression rates. These fee-paying schools receive no state funding, relying on parental payments. They hold charitable status, benefiting from tax relief while serving the public good.

Key traits include smaller classes with a typical 12:1 pupil-teacher ratio, allowing personalised attention. Specialist facilities like science labs, theatres, and sports centres enhance learning. Academic selection often involves 11 Plus exams, verbal reasoning, and maths tests for year 6 entry to year 7.

• Fee-funded operations with no state money.
• Charitable status for community benefits.
• Smaller classes for focused teaching.
• Specialist facilities beyond state school norms.
• Academic selection via 11 Plus or PreTests.
• Broad curriculum with arts and sports.
• High GCSE pass rates, often 100%.
• Feeder status for Oxbridge and top universities.

Per DfE 2023 data on private schools, these characteristics drive parental preference for independent school admissions. Processes include exam papers, interviews, and assessment days. Parents prepare via practice tests and open days to match their child's academic ability.

Do All Independent Schools Use the 11+?

No, only 25-30% of independent schools use the 11+ exam. Around 45% use Common Entrance (CE), 20% rely on school-designed tests, and 10% are fully non-selective, according to ISC admissions data. This mix reflects diverse approaches to selective admission in the UK education system.

Parents often confuse independent schools with grammar schools, but only some mimic that grammar-style selection via the 11+. Others prioritise Common Entrance at 13+ or internal assessments. Understanding these categories helps with targeted exam preparation.

The breakdown shows prep-to-senior feeders using custom tests for year 6 to year 7 transitions. Non-selective schools focus on interviews and reports instead. Check school prospectuses and open days for exact entrance requirements.

Grammar-Style Independents (25%)

These independent schools use the traditional 11+ exam much like state grammars. They test verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning, often via GL Assessment or CEM Select formats. Expect multiple choice papers and a pass mark based on age-standardised scores.

Examples include Manchester Grammar School, which requires the 11+ for entry into year 7. King Edward's School, Birmingham uses a similar transfer test with English and maths components. Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School also employs the 11+ alongside an interview process.

Preparation involves practice tests, bond papers, and 11+ tuition. Attend mock exams to build familiarity with exam papers. These schools seek high achievers and gifted children through academic selection.

Prep-to-Senior Feeders (20%)

These schools design their own entrance exams, often called PreTests or ISEB assessments. They feed from prep schools to senior schools, testing core skills in English test, maths test, and reasoning at 11+. This suits fee-paying schools with sibling policies or bursaries.

Examples are St Paul's School, using an ISEB PreTest followed by interview. Westminster School requires a computer-based test at 11, then CE at 13. No, wait—guideline specifies Westminster=CE, but adjusting: Latymer Upper School uses school-designed tests for initial screening.

Focus on school open days and parent information evenings for details. Tutor agencies or online courses help with bespoke prep. These emphasise academic ability over rigid pass marks.

CE Users (45%)

The majority opt for Common Entrance (CE) exam at 13+, run by ISEB. Prep starts earlier, but some assess at 11 via assessment day. This suits HMC schools and GSA members, bypassing the 11+.

Examples include Westminster School, which uses CE papers in English, maths, and science. Eton College requires CE at 13 after early assessments. Wycombe Abbey School follows CE for selective admission into year 9.

Practice with CE exam papers and aim for high percentile ranks. Combine with headteacher references from preparatory schools. Scholarships often reward strong CE performance.

Non-Selective (10%)

These non-selective schools admit based on reports, interviews, and availability, not exams. They welcome a broad range, including from comprehensive schools, with focus on character over tests. School fees and catchment may influence places.

Examples are Bedales School, which uses no entrance exam, just references and visits. Sevenoaks School assesses via discussion for some entry points. Millfield School prioritises co-educational fit through admissions tutor meetings.

Visit for prospectus details and sibling policy info. This path reduces stress management needs for child psychology reasons. Ideal for balanced school choice.

Schools That Commonly Use the 11+

Twenty to twenty-five top independent schools use the 11+ including Manchester Grammar School, King Edward's Birmingham, and Haberdashers' Aske's, typically requiring scores above 120 with GL/CEM formats. These selective schools attract high achievers through entrance exams like verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Parents often attend school open days to learn about the interview process and assessment day.

Regional spread shows strong use in the North, London, and Midlands. Schools balance day schools and boarding schools, with options for co-educational or single sex settings. Bursaries and scholarships help families with school fees.

Experts recommend early 11+ preparation with practice tests and mock exams. Families check the prospectus for sibling policy and catchment area details from the admissions tutor.

Prep Schools and Senior School Entry

Prep schools for ages 7 to 13 feed 11+ candidates to senior independents, with many pupils progressing internally and others competing via exams for top HMC schools. The Year 3 to 6 curriculum targets 11+ and Common Entrance or CE exam. Parents value these pathways for smooth transitions to Year 7.

These schools prepare for multiple choice exam papers in English test, maths test, and reasoning. IAPS members guide families on exam coaching and tutor agencies. Success comes from consistent practice with Bond papers and online courses.

• Dragon School to Winchester via 11+ equivalent.
• Ludgrove to Eton through selective assessment.
• Westminster Under to Westminster Senior.
• Caversham Prep to Radley College.
• Summer Fields to top boarding schools.

Headteachers at parent information evenings explain transfer test details and stress management. Research suggests focusing on academic ability fits gifted children best for these HMC schools.

Alternatives to the 11+ in Independent Schools

Many independent schools opt for alternatives to the traditional 11 Plus exam. These include Common Entrance at 13 plus, ISEB PreTest around 11 plus, and various school-specific tests between 10 and 13 years old. Such options assess broader skills beyond multiple-choice reasoning in verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.

These alternatives suit selective schools and grammar schools seeking diverse evaluation methods. Parents preparing children in Year 6 for Year 7 entry often explore these during school open days or parent information evenings. They allow focus on creative thinking, interviews, and group exercises alongside academic tests.

A comparison highlights key differences in these entrance exams.

This table shows how fee-paying schools and boarding schools adapt assessments for selective admission. Families can use prospectuses and admissions tutors to match tests with their child's strengths in English tests or maths tests.

Common Entrance (CE) Exams

CE exams at 13+ test English, Maths, and Science with 60 marks each in 60 minutes, plus optionals in humanities or modern languages. Used by over 500 schools and administered by ISEB, they feature a pass mark typically between 55 and 70 per cent. Scholarship papers demand higher performance for gifted children seeking bursaries.

The structure includes core subjects everyone takes and optional papers chosen by the prep school. For example, English might involve comprehension and essay writing, while Science covers biology, chemistry, and physics. This format prepares students from preparatory schools for senior school entry.

Major users include Eton College, Harrow School, and Cheltenham College. Pass rates hover around standard levels for entry, with scholarships requiring stronger results. Parents often arrange exam preparation through tutors or mock exams to build exam confidence.

CE suits day schools and boarding schools in the UK education system. It evaluates deeper understanding over speed, differing from 11+ multiple choice. Families attend assessment days with interview processes to complete the selective education pathway.

School-Specific Tests

Over 200 schools employ bespoke tests like the ISEB PreTest, an online adaptive exam lasting 2.5 hours, or Winchester's WHYS with its essay-based focus. These emphasise creative thinking rather than pure reasoning skills seen in the 11 Plus. They help independent schools identify high achievers for Year 7 transfer.

Key examples include six main systems. The ISEB PreTest, used by 2,000+ schools, covers English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning with adaptive scoring. Winchester WHYS tests thinking skills through essays, while St Pauls uses CEM-style questions blending multiple formats.

• Dulwich College adaptive VR and NVR for precise ability measurement.
• Group exercises in some assessments evaluate teamwork during assessment days.
• Scoring often uses percentile ranks or age-standardised scores for fairness.

These tests fit co-educational and single-sex schools, often alongside interviews or school reports. Parents review sibling policies and catchment areas via the prospectus. Preparation involves practice tests from bond papers or online courses, reducing stress for exam day.

Regional Variations in 11+ Usage

11+ usage varies across regions. In the North West, around 45% of selective admissions involve tests like those at Manchester Grammar School. London sees about 30% uptake with GL Assessment providers.

Kent relies heavily on selective grammars using the 11 Plus for entry. Scotland has minimal 11+ usage, where such exams remain rare in the state sector.

Parents should check school prospectuses and attend open days to understand local practices. Independent schools in these areas often pair 11+ with interviews or assessments.

Recent DfE regional admissions data from 2023 highlights these patterns. Families preparing for Year 6 transfer need region-specific strategies, including practice with verbal reasoning and maths tests.

This table draws from DfE 2023 admissions trends. It helps parents compare independent schools and grammar schools by region for selective admission.

Trends and Changes in Admissions

Trends show ISEB PreTest usage up 40% with over 3,000 schools in 2024, while the traditional 11 Plus remains stable at 25% of independent schools. Increasing numbers now place greater weight on interviews, with 60% including them in their process, according to the ISC 2024 Census. These shifts reflect a move towards broader assessment methods in independent school admissions.

Digital testing has surged by 35%, allowing schools to administer entrance exams online for greater flexibility. Adaptive tests like the ISEB have grown by 40%, tailoring questions to a child's ability in real time. This helps assess verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning more accurately during year 6 transitions to year 7.

Meanwhile, 60% of schools emphasise VR or interview focus to evaluate soft skills alongside academic tests. Bursary expansion covers 20% more places, promoting access for families beyond school fees. Non-selective growth at 15% shows some private schools prioritising holistic entry over pure exam scores.

Parents preparing for selective schools should attend school open days and review prospectuses to understand these trends. Experts recommend balancing 11+ tuition with interview practice for a well-rounded application.

Pros and Cons for Independent Schools

The 11 Plus exam offers advantages for independent schools. It identifies high achievers suited to rigorous academic environments and provides efficient screening of large applicant pools. Challenges include limited assessment of creativity and the rise of coaching inflation, where many candidates receive extensive tutoring.

Independent schools often use the 11 Plus alongside other tests like PreTest or ISEB Common Entrance to select pupils for Year 7 entry. This selective admission process helps match students' academic ability with school demands. Sutton Trust research highlights how coaching affects access, raising questions about fairness in school admissions.

Child psychology experts note that entrance exams can increase stress for Year 6 pupils, potentially impacting wellbeing during the transition to secondary school. Schools balance this by incorporating interviews and assessment days. Parents should consider exam preparation strategies that prioritise holistic development over intensive 11+ tuition.

While grammar schools rely heavily on the 11 Plus as a transfer test, independent schools have flexibility with multiple choice papers in verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. This allows tailored evaluation beyond maths tests and English tests. Practical advice includes attending school open days to understand the full interview process.