Do you have to sit the 11 Plus for grammar school?

What is the 11 Plus Exam?

The 11 Plus exam is a standardised entrance test taken by Year 6 pupils at age 10-11 to secure places in selective grammar schools, assessing verbal reasoning (21 questions), non-verbal reasoning (20 questions), maths (45-50 questions), and English (30-40 questions) within strict 50-60 minute time limits.

This 11 Plus test determines entry to state grammar schools across regions like Buckinghamshire, Kent, and Trafford. It evaluates core skills from the primary curriculum alongside reasoning abilities. About 80% of questions draw directly from Year 5 and 6 topics.

Exam providers differ in format. GL Assessment uses multiple choice with four options per question, while CEM favours free response answers. In 2023, the pass mark stood at a standardised score of 110 across 163 grammars, though this varies by school.

• Verbal reasoning: 21 questions, 25-30 minutes, tests vocabulary and logic puzzles like synonyms or word patterns.
• Non-verbal reasoning: 20 questions, 25-30 minutes, involves shapes, sequences, and spatial awareness.
• Maths paper: 45-50 questions, 50-60 minutes, covers arithmetic, geometry, and problem-solving.
• English paper: 30-40 questions, 50 minutes, includes comprehension, spelling, and grammar.

Parents should check their local grammar school list for exact 11 Plus papers and timings. Practice with Bond papers or CGP books helps build exam technique under time limits.

Understanding Grammar Schools

Grammar schools are academically selective state secondary schools admitting top 20-25% of ability range, with 163 remaining in England serving 5% of pupils but producing 45% of Oxbridge entrants per 2022 Sutton Trust data. They require pupils to sit the 11 Plus exam for entry. This entrance exam tests verbal reasoning, maths, English and non-verbal reasoning.

Key traits include 100% selective intake based on 11 Plus results, banding by ability for fair admissions, and specialist teachers in subjects like sciences. Classes often feature smaller sizes with a 22:1 pupil-teacher ratio. Curricula accelerate learning for high ability pupils.

Grammars contrast with comprehensive schools that mix abilities across classes. Comprehensives serve broader ranges without an 11 Plus assessment. Selective education suits gifted children seeking streaming and setting by ability.

• Benefits include accelerated curricula covering advanced topics early.
• 92% Russell Group university progression for leavers.
• Higher GCSE outcomes, with grammars achieving 79% Grade 5+ in English and Maths versus national 50% per 2023 DfE.

Parents choose grammars via school application forms considering catchment area, oversubscription criteria like sibling priority and distance. Attend school open days to assess fit before registering for the 11 Plus test.

Do All Grammar Schools Require the 11 Plus?

While nearly all grammar schools use the 11 Plus as their primary selection tool, variations exist by region and school type. Parents must verify specific entry criteria for each state grammar school. This ensures they understand the exam requirement before preparing their child.

In most selective areas, children must sit the 11 Plus to gain entry. The test typically includes verbal reasoning, maths paper, English paper, and non-verbal reasoning. Success depends on reaching the 11 Plus pass mark, often a standardised score above 110.

Exceptions arise in certain grammar school admissions, such as alternative assessments or priority categories. Families should check the school prospectus and local authority portals early. Attending a school open day provides insights into the process.

Preparation involves practice papers from GL Assessment or CEM exam formats. 11 Plus courses, mock exams, and a 11 Plus tutor help build exam technique. This approach suits high ability pupils aiming for grammar school places.

Selective vs Non-Selective Areas

Trafford (100% selective, 7/7 grammars require 11 Plus) contrasts Birmingham (4/8 grammars selective, mixed system) where non-selective areas feed comprehensives despite grammar presence. In fully selective regions, every child takes the transfer test. This ensures fair access to academic selection.

Families in selective zones prioritise 11 Plus preparation. Tuition for 11 Plus focuses on time limits and marking schemes. Non-selective areas offer choice between grammars and comprehensives.

2024 pass rates show Trafford at 38% and Kent at 36%, highlighting competition. Parents check catchment area and oversubscription criteria like distance from school. This guides school selection for year 6 exam takers.

Exceptions and Alternative Admissions

Rare exceptions include Pate's Grammar (Cheltenham) using stage assessments and Queen Elizabeth's Barnet accepting academic scholarships; 12 grammars offer foundation places via own tests. These bypass the standard 11 Plus exam. Parents explore these for gifted children.

Verification starts with the school prospectus and LA admissions portal. Submit the school application form by closing dates. Monitor 11 Plus results and offer day details.

• Pate's Grammar uses Cat4 assessments instead of traditional papers.
• QE Barnet requires its own exam plus interview for entry.
• Faith schools allocate 60% places via religious criteria.
• Pupil premium reserves 10-25% places for eligible families.
• Music scholarships rely on audition routes over tests.

Other factors include sibling priority, looked after children, and free school meals status. Appeals follow via independent appeal if needed. This supports access to top grammar schools like regional grammars in Buckinghamshire or Trafford.

Regional Differences in the UK

England hosts 163 grammar schools, with 93% requiring the 11 Plus exam, while Scotland and Wales abolished selection decades ago. Northern Ireland maintains a transfer test for 30% selective places. These differences shape how families approach grammar school admission.

Parents in England often need to sit the 11 Plus for state grammar places, focusing on 11 Plus preparation from Year 5. In contrast, Scotland and Wales prioritise comprehensive schools, reducing exam pressure. Northern Ireland families prepare for the Transfer Test, similar to the 11+.

Understanding regional grammars helps with school selection. Check your local authority for entrance exam requirements and catchment area rules. Attend school open days to compare selective and non-selective options.

Selective education suits high ability pupils, but oversubscription uses criteria like sibling priority or distance from school. Year 6 pupils transfer via school application forms, with closing dates around autumn. This regional setup guides parental choice effectively.

England Grammar School Requirements

England's 163 grammar schools split 60% using GL Assessment with 4-option multiple choice questions, versus 40% CEM exam with free response. Buckinghamshire and Kent use GL, while Birmingham and Trafford use CEM. Families must match 11 Plus preparation to local formats.

Prepare for 11 Plus papers in verbal reasoning, maths paper, English paper, and non-verbal reasoning. Practice with bond papers or CGP books tailored to GL or CEM. Mock exams build exam technique under time limits.

Each area has unique 11 Plus pass marks, like raw scores or standardised scores. Research the marking scheme and syllabus for your county's grammars. Tuition for 11 Plus or 11 Plus courses helps gifted children pass.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Scotland and Wales eliminated grammar schools, leaving 0 selective schools. Northern Ireland's Transfer Test serves 30 grammars with 2024 entry score averaging 95%ile. This setup keeps academic selection active outside England.

In Scotland and Wales, all pupils attend comprehensive schools, with streaming or setting by ability in some. No 11 Plus exam means less early pressure, focusing on primary school leavers' overall progress. Faith schools or academies may select differently.

Northern Ireland uses GL-style tests with banding for grammar school places. About 18k pupils sit annually via AQE or GL providers. Check education authority for 11 Plus results and appeal process if needed.

Private vs State Grammar Schools

State grammars, with 163 schools offering free tuition and 11+ entry at age 11, differ from independent grammars like Manchester GS at £14,157 per year with own exams at 11 or 13 and separate admissions processes.

Parents choosing state grammar schools benefit from no fees, but face strict catchment area rules and high competition to pass the 11 Plus. Independent options provide more flexibility in location, though costs demand careful budgeting.

Both paths lead to selective education for high ability pupils, yet entry tests vary by school type. Families often visit school open days to compare atmospheres and prospectus details before applying.

Understanding these differences helps in school selection. Consider your child's strengths in verbal reasoning, maths paper, or non-verbal reasoning when preparing for the relevant entrance exam.

• Manchester GS
• King Edward's Birmingham
• Westminster School

Top independents like these often prioritise academic selection through custom 11 Plus assessments or Common Entrance. State grammars rely on local transfer tests like CEM or GL Assessment formats.

Alternatives to Sitting the 11 Plus

Non-selective routes include 3,200 comprehensives offering guaranteed places, faith schools with oversubscription priority for those with a baptism certificate, academies with aptitude tests, and independent senior schools accepting CE at 13+. These options bypass the 11 Plus exam requirement for grammar school admission. Parents can explore them through local authority school lists and open days.

Comprehensive schools provide a safe fallback with places for all primary school leavers in the catchment area. Faith schools prioritise looked after children, siblings, and worshippers. Academies test aptitude in areas like music or arts, while independents use the 13+ CE exam later in year 8.

Bilateral schools mix selective and non-selective intake, often in regions like Gloucestershire. Appeals to grammar waitlists offer a last chance post-11 Plus results. Each path suits different family needs, from academic selection to creative talents.

Check school prospectuses for oversubscription criteria like distance from school or pupil premium status. Attend open days to assess fit for high ability pupils. These alternatives expand choices beyond sitting the 11 Plus test.

1. Local Comprehensive Schools

Local comprehensive schools guarantee a secondary school place for year 6 pupils via the local authority. No entrance exam is needed, making this the most accessible option. Submit the school application form by closing dates for offer day in March.

These schools serve most families with catchment area priority and sibling links. They offer streaming in grammar-style settings for gifted children. Visit during school open days to see facilities and teaching approaches.

Experts recommend this for steady progress without 11 Plus preparation stress. It avoids risks like not passing the 11 Plus pass mark. Many thrive here before sixth form transfer to top grammars.

2. Faith Schools

Faith schools prioritise applicants with a baptism certificate or regular worship proof. This route skips the 11+ exam for state grammar school entry. Oversubscription uses faith commitment alongside distance criteria.

Catholic or Church of England schools often fill quickly, so apply early. Provide evidence like priest references on the form. They blend academic rigour with values-based education.

This suits families already in faith communities. It offers selective education without verbal reasoning or maths paper pressure. Check the grammar school list for faith options in your area.

3. Academies with Aptitude Tests

Academy grammar schools use aptitude tests in music, arts, or sports instead of the full 11 Plus assessment. About 20% of places go to these talents via practical auditions or short exams. Register separately from the main transfer test.

Prepare with school-specific practice, not standard GL Assessment or CEM exam papers. Examples include drumming tests or design portfolios. This path fits musically gifted children bypassing non-verbal reasoning.

Success comes from targeted tuition for 11 Plus-style aptitude. Academies value diverse skills in high ability pupils. Review prospectuses for test formats and dates.

4. Independent Schools with 13+ CE

Independent grammar schools accept year 8 pupils via the 13+ CE exam, avoiding the year 6 11 Plus. Common Entrance tests cover English, maths, and sometimes sciences. Fees apply, but scholarships help.

Start at local primaries, then sit CE papers after mocks. Prep uses Bond papers or CGP books adapted for 13+. This delays selective pressure for slower developers.

Many top grammars offer this entry. It allows time for 11 Plus courses if needed earlier. Visit independents for open days to gauge fit.

5. Bilateral Schools

Bilateral schools reserve half places for selective entry, like 50% in Gloucestershire grammars. Non-selective spots fill by catchment or siblings, no full 11 Plus syllabus required. They mix comprehensive and grammar streams.

Apply via the education authority; some use lighter transfer tests. Setting by ability supports all levels. Regional grammars like those in Kent or Trafford often have these.

This balances access with academic selection. Pupil premium or free school meals add priority. Ideal for families near these state options.

6. Appeals to Grammar School Waitlists

Appeal to grammar waitlists after missing the standardised score for grammar places. Grounds include medical needs or school errors in marking. Independent appeal panels review cases post-offer day.

Gather evidence like tutor reports on exam technique. Success hinges on strong arguments beyond raw score disputes. Waitlists move if others decline offers.

Use this as a backup to sitting the 11 Plus papers. Parental choice persists through the appeal process. Consult advisors for strategy.

Preparation and Registration Process

Register by June 30th via local authority portals; preparation timeline: Year 4 (CGP books), Year 5 (Bond papers + tutor 2hr/wk), Year 6 (10+ mocks scoring 85%+).

Parents must check their local authority website for exact deadlines and fees, which range from £20 to £60 per child. This step secures your child's place to sit the 11 Plus for grammar school admission. Missing the cutoff means reapplying next year.

Early planning helps align 11 Plus preparation with the school calendar. Start with familiarising your child with the verbal reasoning, maths paper, and English paper formats. Consistent practice builds confidence for the selective school entrance exam.

Combine self-study resources with targeted tuition for the best results. Attend school open days to understand oversubscription criteria like distance from school or sibling priority. This informs your grammar school list choices.

Key Timeline for 11 Plus Preparation

Follow this numbered timeline to organise your child's path to the 11+ exam.

1. 1March to May in Year 5: Register through the LA portal with fees of £20-£60. Confirm eligibility for your target grammar schools.
2. 2Summer in Year 5: Run baseline mocks to assess strengths in non-verbal reasoning and maths. Identify weak areas early.
3. 3September in Year 6: Begin intensive training at 20 hours per week. Focus on exam technique and time limits.
4. 4Throughout Year 6: Take mock exams, such as those from Atom Learning at £59 per month for 12 tests. Aim for consistent improvement.
5. 51st September in Year 6: Sit the actual 11 Plus test. Results guide secondary transfer applications.

This structure ensures steady progress toward the 11 Plus pass mark. Adjust based on your region's exam board, like GL Assessment or CEM exam.

Popular Provider Comparison

Choose resources that match your budget and child's needs for practice papers.

Start with CGP books in Year 4 for basics, then add Bond papers in Year 5 alongside a 11 Plus tutor for 2 hours weekly. In Year 6, use ExamNinja for 10+ mocks to hit high scores.

Experts recommend mixing providers to cover the full 11 Plus syllabus. Track progress with raw scores and standardised scores from mocks. This approach prepares high ability pupils for top grammar schools.

Consequences of Not Taking the Exam

Non-sitters receive comprehensive allocation on March 1st National Offer Day. These pupils get places in mixed-ability comprehensive schools, which form the bulk of state secondary options. Grammar appeals succeed less than 5% without test evidence per 2023 LA data.

With around 3,200 comprehensive schools nationwide, most families end up here if they skip the 11 Plus exam. These schools cater to all abilities, lacking the academic selection of grammar schools. Expect standard secondary transfer without selective streams.

If registered for a faith school, priority bands 1-3 may apply based on baptism or church attendance. Otherwise, offers hinge on distance criteria, often 1-3 miles from home. Late transfers to grammar in Year 8 are rare, involving separate testing.

Appeal processes see thousands lodged yearly, but success rates stay low without 11 Plus results. Families can mitigate by switching to private schools or seeking Year 7 aptitude tests at academies. Consider school open days early to explore options.

Default to Comprehensive Schools

Failing to sit the 11 Plus means automatic allocation to a comprehensive school. These mixed-ability settings welcome all primary school leavers. No selective entrance exam applies here.

Local authorities prioritise based on catchment area and sibling priority. Oversubscription uses distance from school as a tiebreaker. This path suits families not chasing grammar school admission.

Comprehensive environments offer broad curricula without streaming by ability. High ability pupils may miss grammar school places. Experts recommend reviewing school prospectuses for fit.

Faith School Priorities

Registered families gain access to faith school places via priority 1-3 bands. Baptism records or church commitment often secure spots. This bypasses full grammar selection in some areas.

These schools blend faith values with standard secondary education. Not all are selective like state grammar schools. Check closing dates on application forms carefully.

Distance offers remain key if faith criteria do not apply. Typical ranges span 1-3 miles. Attend open days to gauge atmosphere and ethos.

Distance-Based Offers and Late Transfers

Without test scores, distance from school dictates offers in most cases. Expect allocations within 1-3 miles under oversubscription criteria. Pupil premium or looked after children get higher priority.

Late entry to grammar via Year 8 testing proves uncommon. Academies sometimes use aptitude assessments in Year 7. Research local grammar school lists for rare opportunities.

Mitigate by exploring independent grammar schools or private options. Practice papers from prior years help if reapplying. Focus on exam technique for any transfer tests.

Appeal Outcomes and Mitigation Strategies

Thousands of appeals occur post-Offer Day, yet few succeed sans 11 Plus evidence. Panels review cases rigorously. Prepare strong cases with school reports.

• Switch to private school for selective intake.
• Target academy aptitude tests in Year 7.
• Reapply via independent appeal processes.
• Visit top grammar schools for waitlist chances.

Parental choice drives next steps in school selection. Consider 11 Plus preparation for future siblings. Regional grammars like Kent or Buckinghamshire vary in flexibility.