How long is the 11 Plus exam?

Overview of the 11 Plus Exam

The 11 Plus exam, taken by Year 6 pupils around age 11, determines entry to selective grammar and independent schools across the UK. This grammar school exam assesses skills in key areas to identify pupils suited for academic rigour.

It covers typical subjects like English, Maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Exam boards such as GL Assessment and CEM set the papers, with regional variations in format and timing.

Pass marks often range from 109 to 121 standardised scores, depending on the area. Sections last 25 to 50 minutes, so strong time management proves essential on exam day.

Pupils face multiple choice tests or pencil-and-paper formats under timed conditions. Practising with mock tests helps build speed and accuracy for the total exam length.

What is the 11 Plus?

The 11 Plus assesses cognitive abilities through four core subjects, with thousands of UK children taking it annually for grammar school places. It serves as a selective school test rooted in post-WWII grammar selection traditions.

Subjects include English with comprehension and vocabulary, Maths covering arithmetic and problem-solving, verbal reasoning for word puzzles, and non-verbal reasoning for shapes and patterns. Formats vary between multiple choice or standard answers.

• English test: Focuses on reading passages and grammar in 25-40 minute sections.
• Maths test: Tests calculations and reasoning under time pressure.
• Verbal reasoning: Involves codes and analogies.
• Non-verbal reasoning: Features spatial and logical visuals.

GL Assessment uses familiar question types, while CEM exams emphasise unseen problems. Experts recommend 18 months of preparation, starting with practice papers to master exam timing and time allocation.

Standard Exam Duration by Subject

Standard 11 Plus papers range from 25-50 minutes per subject, testing speed alongside accuracy under timed conditions. Exam boards like GL Assessment and CEM set these durations, but providers and regions show variations. For instance, time pressure often means tackling about 50 questions in 30 minutes, or roughly 36 seconds per question on average.

Official GL Assessment guidelines outline strict time limits to mimic real exam stress, while CEM integrates subjects differently. Independent schools or consortium exams may adjust timings slightly. Always check your specific grammar school exam or selective school test rules.

Below, find breakdowns by subject for English paper length, Maths paper length, and reasoning tests. Practice under these exam timings builds time management skills essential for success.

Students face a full morning or afternoon session, with multiple papers back-to-back. Short breaks between papers help, but the overall total exam time demands stamina. Use mock tests to prepare for this structure.

English Paper Length

English papers typically last 45-50 minutes, including 25-30 minutes reading time for comprehension passages. GL Assessment sets 50 minutes total, split into 30 for comprehension and 20 for spelling and grammar. CEM exams run 45 minutes continuously, blending question types.

Expect around 29 comprehension questions and 15 vocabulary items. For example, in Birmingham GL English, the paper is exactly 50 minutes. Independent schools often use 40 minutes for a focused comprehension test and vocabulary test.

Practice tip: Bond English papers match these timings perfectly. Simulate exam day schedule at home with a stopwatch to handle reading time and answering under pressure. This builds confidence for the real 11+ English test.

Invigilators enforce the time limit strictly, so prioritise key passages first. Regional variations like Kent or London 11+ follow similar paper duration s. Timed practice ensures accuracy versus speed balance.

Maths Paper Length

Maths papers run 30-45 minutes, covering KS2 curriculum with mental arithmetic emphasis. GL Assessment uses 30 minutes for about 50 questions, stressing quick calculations. CEM extends to 45 minutes with mixed problems, while Kent Test limits pure maths to 25 minutes.

Topics draw from DfE KS2 maths framework, including fractions and geometry. Word problems might take 1.5 minutes each in practice. Focus on mental arithmetic to save time during the maths test.

For 11+ preparation, use timed practice exams matching these lengths. CGP guides highlight common pitfalls in time allocation. Build speed through daily drills on key areas.

Exam centres provide no calculators, so rely on pencil and paper. Trafford or Buckinghamshire 11+ follow close timings. Master exam strategy by skipping tough questions initially and returning later.

Verbal Reasoning Duration

Verbal Reasoning tests last 25-30 minutes, featuring codes, analogies, and word patterns. GL Assessment standards are 30 minutes for 80 questions, like in 2023 Sussex exams at exactly 30:00. CEM integrates it in 25 minutes blocks.

Question types include code-breaking sets of 10 questions in about 4 minutes and synonyms in 15 questions over 5 minutes. CGP VR books average 28 minutes per paper. This reasoning test checks quick thinking under time pressure.

Practice with 11+ Practice Papers VR Pack to replicate multiple choice test format. Use a timer for real exam feel, stopping when time ends as per official instructions. This hones pattern spotting skills.

Exam boards like GL enforce clock time strictly via invigilators. Hertfordshire or Barnet 11+ variations stay within these bounds. Parents note success from consistent timed sections in mocks.

Non-Verbal Reasoning Duration

Non-Verbal Reasoning papers are 25-30 minutes, focusing on pattern recognition and spatial awareness. GL Assessment runs 32 minutes for matrices and sequences. CEM uses 25-minute NVR blocks, Trafford sets 27 minutes.

Formats cover 11+ matrices with 20 questions in 8 minutes and 3D shapes in 15 questions over 6 minutes. Bond NVR papers average 29:30. Official GL samples instruct to stop when the invigilator calls time.

Build skills through practice papers under exam conditions. This spatial reasoning section tests visual logic without words. Rotate practice between types for balanced prep.

Grammar school entry relies on strong performance here, alongside other papers. Simulate full session length with breaks to match test venue flow. Tutors recommend daily puzzles for speed gains.

Total Exam Day Length

Complete 11 Plus exam days span 3-5 hours including registration, multiple papers, and breaks. Pupils typically arrive at the test centre around 8:30am for check-in, with the day wrapping up by 4pm at the latest. This accounts for multiple sessions like morning papers in English and maths, a lunch break, and afternoon reasoning tests.

Official test centre guidelines stress early arrival to handle registration smoothly. Invigilators provide instructions before each paper, adding a few minutes per section. Parents should check regional variations, such as Kent or Birmingham 11+ schedules, for precise timings.

The full session breakdown includes timed sections with strict time limits, plus short breaks to reduce fatigue. Practising mock tests under similar conditions helps children manage exam day schedule pressure. This structure ensures fair assessment across verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and core subjects.

Understanding total exam length aids 11+ preparation. Families can review practice exams to simulate arrival time, reading instructions, and transitioning between papers. Tutor advice often highlights pacing for time management during the selective school test.

Typical Full Session Time

A standard exam day runs 8:30am-2:30pm (6 hours total), including 2.5 hours testing + admin. Registration takes about 30 minutes, with pupils settling in before the first paper starts at 9:00am. Invigilators explain rules, emphasising no talking and using only pencils.

Morning often features English test or maths test from 9:00-10:30am (90 minutes), followed by a short break. Then comes VR/NVR from 10:45-11:45am (60 minutes), testing reasoning skills under time pressure. Children learn to watch the clock for accuracy versus speed.

• Lunch break: Around 12:00pm for 60 minutes, allowing rest at the venue or nearby.
• Afternoon session: Reserves or extra papers from 1:00-2:00pm (60 minutes), varying by exam board like GL Assessment or CEM.
• Invigilator instructions: 5-10 minutes per paper for reading time and queries.

For example, the Kent Test in 2023 ran precisely from 8:45am-1:15pm. Regional differences in Buckinghamshire 11+ or London 11+ might adjust for multiple choice or comprehension formats. Parents use practice papers to build stamina for the full session length.

Regional Variations in Timing

Timing differs significantly by region due to GL Assessment structured formats versus CEM integrated papers. GL covers areas like London and Birmingham, while CEM handles Kent and Trafford. Expect 5-15 minute variances between regions.

Check official county websites for the latest exam schedules in your area. These sites detail the 11 Plus exam structure, including paper durations and session lengths. This helps with precise 11+ preparation.

London GL typically totals 142 minutes, while Kent CEM reaches around 145-180 minutes. Barnet offers slight variants, like 48-minute English papers. Trafford uses 45-minute sections per paper.

Plan practice exams matching your region's exam timing. Use timed practice to build stamina for the full test duration. Parents often review parent forums for venue-specific advice on arrival and breaks.

GL Assessment Areas

GL areas like London, Birmingham, and Barnet use fixed 30/50-minute papers across five regions. These grammar school exams include English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning (VR), and Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR). Total exam length stays consistent at about 142 minutes.

London GL sets English at 50 minutes, Maths at 30 minutes, VR at 30 minutes, and NVR at 32 minutes. Birmingham mirrors this exactly. Barnet adjusts English to 48 minutes for a minor variant.

Follow official GL 2023 handbook timings for accuracy. Practice under exam conditions with a stopwatch to mimic time pressure. Focus on time management for multiple choice tests.

CEM Exam Formats

CEM regions such as Kent, Trafford, Herts, and Bucks use longer 45-60 minute integrated papers. These eleven plus tests combine skills like Maths and English into fewer sections. Total time often hits 145-180 minutes, exceeding GL's 142 minutes.

Kent Test features a 60-minute combined Maths+English paper and 25-minute VR. Trafford allocates 45 minutes per paper across sections. Bucks uses 60-minute CEM Select formats.

Refer to official CEM Durham University guidelines for exact paper durations. Simulate mock tests with breaks to match exam day schedule. Emphasise accuracy vs speed in reasoning tests.

Practice and Preparation Timings

Practice under exact timings builds speed. Complete 12-15 full mocks over six months preparation for the 11 Plus exam. This approach matches the exam duration and reduces time pressure on test day.

Follow a structured plan to simulate real exam conditions. Start with focused section practice, then move to half mocks and full papers. Track progress by aiming for 20% time improvement in completing sections.

Use resources like CGP 11+ Complete Set with 12 timed papers. Pair it with Exam Ninja mocks that match GL and CEM formats exactly. These help pupils master time management for maths tests, English tests, and reasoning sections.

1. 1Weeks 1-8: Section practice such as English 50 minutes daily, verbal reasoning 25 minutes, and maths 30 minutes.
2. 2Weeks 9-16: Half mocks at 90 minutes, covering morning session papers like comprehension and quantitative reasoning.
3. 3Weeks 17-24: Five full mocks at three hours each, mimicking total exam length with breaks.
4. 4Final month: One mock per week plus detailed review of errors and pacing.