What age do children sit the 11 Plus?

What is the 11 Plus Exam?

The 11 Plus exam is a selective entrance test for grammar and independent schools in the UK, primarily used in England to identify students academically suited for high-performing secondary schools at age 11.

Introduced by the 1944 Education Act, it aimed to sort pupils into grammar, technical, or secondary modern schools based on ability. Today, it selects children for around 163 state grammar schools, focusing on those ready for rigorous academic environments after primary school.

The exam typically includes four core sections: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. These test comprehension skills, numerical reasoning, vocabulary building, and spatial reasoning in children aged 10 to 11, often in Year 6.

Pass marks vary by region, usually ranging from 110 to 121 on standardised age scores. About 60,000 students sit the exam annually across England, with tests held in the autumn term for September intake into selective schools.

Overview and Purpose

Since the 1944 Butler Education Act, the 11 Plus has served as the gateway test for England's 163 state grammar schools and many independent schools.

Exams use formats from GL Assessment or CEM Select, with GL papers common in most areas. Tests last 2 to 2.5 hours total, often split over sessions, and feature multiple-choice questions in verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

Standardised age scores adjust for exam age, ensuring fairness for pupils turning 11 mid-test year. Regional adoption differs, with some counties like Kent or Buckinghamshire relying heavily on the 11+ for school admissions and catchment area priorities.

• English test: Focuses on comprehension and grammar for Year 5 and 6 pupils.
• Maths test: Covers key stage 2 topics like fractions and geometry.
• Verbal Reasoning: Builds critical thinking through word puzzles.
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Tests spatial skills with shapes and patterns.

Standard Age for Sitting the 11 Plus

Children typically sit the 11 Plus exam during Year 6 of primary school when they are 10-11 years old, with the test designed for pupils born between 1st September 2012 and 31st August 2013 for 2024 entry. This targets pupils turning 11 in the September intake of secondary school. Exams use chronological age based on birth dates alongside standardised scoring.

Standardised age scoring adjusts for slight age differences within the cohort, ensuring fairness in tests like verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Pupils born early in the year face peers slightly younger, while late summer babies compete with older ones. Exam boards such as GL Assessment and CEM exam apply these adjustments automatically.

Eligibility windows vary by region, with most grammar schools in England requiring registration in Year 5 spring term. Northern Ireland transfer tests follow similar timelines for the post-primary transfer. Parents check local authority sites for precise dates to avoid missing deadlines.

Summer-born children, those after 1st April, often qualify for exceptions like deferred entry or additional preparation time. Schools in oversubscribed areas prioritise academic selection within these windows. A table below outlines birth date eligibility for major selective areas.

Typical Year Group

99% of 11 Plus candidates are Year 6 pupils during the autumn term of their final primary school year. This aligns with Key Stage 2 milestones before SATs in May. Most grammar school entrance exams occur from September to October.

Preparation begins in Year 5 with light exam practice, building skills in maths tests, English tests, and multiple choice tests. Year 6 autumn brings mock exams and tutor sessions to assess readiness. Parents organise past papers and timed tests early.

Ofsted guidance stresses age-appropriate preparation, avoiding excess pressure on 10 years old pupils. Spring term focuses on results and school admissions offers, with summer term for transitions to secondary school. Experts recommend balanced study routines with vocabulary building and comprehension skills.

Timeline example: A child in September of Year 6 sits the 11+, receives scores by Christmas, and accepts places by March. This supports smooth moves to high performing schools. Gifted children may start coaching earlier, but monitor for exam pressure.

Regional Variations in England

Only 36 of England's 152 local authorities operate grammar school systems, with highest concentrations in Kent (38 schools), Buckinghamshire (25 schools), and Birmingham (8 schools). These areas use the 11 Plus exam for entry into selective secondary schools at age 11. Parents in these regions often start preparation age in Year 5.

Exam boards dominate differently by region. GL Assessment prevails in areas like Kent and Buckinghamshire, featuring multiple choice tests in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. CEM Select holds sway in Birmingham and parts of the North West, emphasising comprehension skills and numerical reasoning without heavy reliance on past papers.

Children typically sit the 11 Plus in the autumn term of Year 6, around 10-11 years old. Selective counties map closely to historical grammar traditions, so check your catchment area early. Local councils publish test dates, often in September for a September intake the following year.

Oversubscription is common, with ties broken by pass marks or random allocation. Families use mock exams and tutor coaching tailored to the regional exam board. This preparation helps manage exam pressure for gifted children aiming for high performing schools.

Selective Areas

Kent leads with 38 grammar schools serving a significant portion of pupils, followed by Buckinghamshire (25 schools) and other key areas. These regions prioritise the 11 Plus for academic selection into grammar schools. Year 6 students, aged 10-11, face tests aligned with the national curriculum at Key Stage 2.

Understanding regional differences aids school selection. Parents review Ofsted ratings and league tables alongside exam readiness. Practice with Bond papers or board-specific materials builds vocabulary, spatial reasoning, and critical thinking from Year 5.

In 2023, typical pass marks hovered around 110 for GL papers on a standardised score, with CEM using different scaling. Oversubscription ratios often exceed 5:1 in top schools, prioritising highest scores. Families benefit from timed tests and parental guidance to match exam year demands.

11 Plus in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland replaced the traditional 11 Plus with the Transfer Test in 2020, administered by AQE and GL providers for entry to 31 grammar schools.

This change ended the single exam system used before. Now, a dual provider model lets parents choose between AQE or GL tests. Both contribute to admissions for grammar school places.

Post-2020, the system differs from England grammar schools, where tests often happen in September of Year 6. In Northern Ireland, Transfer Tests occur later in the autumn term. This gives pupils more time for exam preparation in Year 6.

Grammar schools use a combined scoring system from either provider. Parents should check individual school policies on academic selection and oversubscription criteria. Early planning helps with school selection and tutor age choices.

Current Transfer Test Age

Transfer Tests occur in Autumn Year 6 (October-November) for children born 1st April-31st October previous year. This targets pupils who are typically 10-11 years old, sitting the exam just before turning 11. It aligns with the September intake for secondary school.

AQE offers Paper 1-3 format with 60 questions in 50 minutes per paper. GL provides similar multiple choice tests covering maths, English, and verbal reasoning. Schools accept results from one or both providers based on their rules.

The combined scoring system totals marks out of 140, with a minimum threshold around 70 for many schools to qualify. Parents review pass mark details per grammar school, as criteria vary. Practice with past papers and mock exams builds exam readiness.

For preparation, start in Year 5 with study routine focusing on numerical reasoning, comprehension skills, and non-verbal reasoning. Experts recommend timed tests and vocabulary building to handle exam pressure. Parental guidance supports gifted children aiming for high performing schools.

Scotland and Wales: No 11 Plus

Scotland abolished selection at 11 years old in 1962 and Wales in 2000. Both now operate comprehensive systems with no equivalent entrance exams to the 11 Plus. This differs from England and Northern Ireland, where grammar school entry often relies on tests at age 11.

In England, pupils in Year 6 sit the 11+ for selective schools, facing exams in verbal reasoning, maths, and English. Northern Ireland uses the transfer test, similar to the 11 Plus, for secondary school places. Scotland and Wales prioritise inclusive education without academic selection at this exam age.

Devolved education policies shape these approaches. Scotland's system focuses on broad development through primary school stages. Wales emphasises progression codes, avoiding the pressure of grammar school entrance exams seen elsewhere in the UK.

Limited independent schools in Scotland and Wales may use their own testing, often later than age 11. Parents seeking selective options consider these, but state secondary schools admit all pupils regardless of test results. This creates a calmer transition to secondary school without eleven plus preparation.

Alternative Systems

Scotland uses the Scottish National Standardised Assessments (SNSA) at P1, P4, P7 for tracking, not selection. These assess literacy and numeracy in primary school without determining secondary places. Unlike the 11 Plus, they reduce exam pressure on children around 10-11 years old.

The Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland structures learning into stages: first level (P1-P4), second level (P5-P7), and beyond. Pupils progress naturally to secondary without entrance exams. This supports gifted children through differentiated teaching, not competitive testing like England's GL Assessment or CEM exams.

Wales follows progression frameworks aligned with the national curriculum, building comprehension skills, vocabulary, and numerical reasoning gradually. No 11+ equivalent exists, so Year 6 pupils focus on core subjects rather than mock exams or past papers. Parents guide study routines emphasising enjoyment over test scores.

• Scottish P7 pupils, around 11 years old, complete SNSA in reading, writing, and maths.
• Welsh frameworks track development from nursery to Year 6 without selection barriers.
• Independent senior schools use 13+ Common Entrance or ISEB pre-tests for entry at age 13.

For independent schools, processes like Common Entrance involve English, maths, and reasoning tests later than the 11 Plus. Preparation starts in Year 5 or 6 with tutor age-appropriate coaching, differing from state grammar school timelines in England.

Exam Timing and Scheduling

95% of 11 Plus exams occur from September to November in Year 6, with results published by mid-December for the September secondary intake. This timing aligns with the UK education calendar, allowing pupils aged 10-11 years to transition smoothly to grammar schools or selective schools. Parents should mark these months early in the primary school year.

Key dates for 2024-2025 include the Kent Test on 7th October 2024 and Birmingham on 19th October 2024. Major consortia like GL Assessment and CEM exams follow similar autumn schedules. Families preparing children for eleven plus need to check local authority websites for precise details.

Registration often opens in the summer term of Year 5, giving students time for exam practice with Bond papers or mock exams. Multiple test days accommodate oversubscription, and illness provisions allow resits. This structure reduces exam pressure on gifted children nearing age 11.

Understanding consortium exams helps with school selection, as pass marks vary by area. Parental guidance on study routines, including verbal reasoning and maths tests, builds exam readiness. Always confirm dates, as they support the September intake timeline.

Autumn Testing Season

Kent Test registration opens 3rd June, Birmingham from 2nd-20th September, with testing windows on 7th-19th October 2024. This autumn term focus suits Year 6 pupils sitting the exam at age 10-11. Early planning aids preparation age and eligibility checks.

Most grammar school entrance exams, including those for state grammar schools in England, cluster here. Northern Ireland transfer tests follow a parallel pattern. Parents can organise tutoring or coaching around these fixed points.

Multiple test days offer flexibility, with provisions for illness via medical evidence. Schools notify via post or online portals. Use this timeline for past papers, timed tests, and building skills in non-verbal reasoning.

Post-results, appeals address borderline cases amid catchment area rules. This supports academic selection for high performing schools. Focus on vocabulary building and comprehension skills during wait times.

Preparation Age Recommendations

GL Assessment recommends starting systematic preparation 12-18 months before testing (Year 5 Spring), while CEM advises familiarisation from Year 6 Summer. These guidelines help children aged 10-11 build skills for the 11 Plus exam without overwhelming them. Tutors from associations like the Tutors' Association stress early vocabulary building to match the pace of grammar school entry.

Primary school pupils in Year 5 benefit from gentle introduction to verbal reasoning and maths tests. This aligns with UK education timelines for selective schools in England and Northern Ireland transfer tests. Parental guidance ensures study routines fit around Key Stage 2 learning.

For independent schools using CEM or GL Assessment, starting in Year 4 supports non-verbal reasoning practice. Experts recommend balancing exam prep with SATs to avoid pressure on 10-year-olds. Mock exams from autumn term refine exam readiness.

Grammar school admissions often hinge on these early steps, especially in oversubscribed areas. Familiarisation reduces anxiety for the September intake at age 11. Resources like Bond papers suit this preparation age.

Starting Study Timeline

Optimal timeline: Year 4/5 (vocabulary building, baseline testing), Year 5 Spring (2x weekly practice), Year 6 Summer (weekly mocks), Autumn (daily papers). This 18-month calendar prepares Year 6 pupils for 11 Plus tests in multiple choice formats. It covers English test, maths test, and reasoning skills steadily.

In Year 4 and early Year 5, focus on 1-2 hours weekly for fun activities like puzzles. Use Bond Assessment Papers for baseline testing in verbal reasoning. Build comprehension skills through daily reading to support grammar school selection.

• Year 5 Spring: Ramp up to 2 hours twice weekly with CGP 11+ books for numerical reasoning.
• Year 5 Summer/Autumn: Add spatial reasoning, 3 hours weekly, one mock exam every 4 weeks.
• Year 6 Summer: Weekly mocks to simulate exam pressure, review with tutor coaching.
• Year 6 Autumn: Daily timed papers, 1-2 hours, focusing on weak areas like critical thinking.

This structure suits state grammar schools and consortium exams, easing transition to secondary school. Past papers track progress towards pass marks. Adjust for individual gifted children or catchment area demands.