September 2028 Year 7 entry · tests mainly in 2027

11+ preparation for 2028 entry

Preparing for the 11+ in 2027 usually means applying to start secondary school in September 2028. Different areas use different assessments. Select a school or area before choosing a practice paper.

Start free diagnosticBrowse 2028 school mocks

What changes for tests taken in 2027?

No single national 11+ test format applies. Test year 2027 and entry year 2028 describe different milestones. These are current public route details rather than promises of official paper replication.

Kent Test · Quest

Quest Assessments takes over from GL for 2028 entry. Kent Council says the structure, purpose and timings remain the same, though question presentation may differ. The test is expected in early September 2027. Existing Kent mocks remain useful independent practice, not official Quest papers.

Kent practice guide

Gloucestershire · FSCE

For September 2028 entry, the test is planned for 3 July 2027 (end of Year 5). Three papers: Adventure (English/Maths multiple choice), Beacon (English/Maths short written answers), and Compass (KS2 curriculum multiple choice). Older GL-style Gloucestershire mocks are not 2028 paper replicas.

Gloucestershire mock guidance

Trafford consortium · FSCE

The test in September 2027 for 2028 entry changes from GL-style reasoning to FSCE curriculum assessment. Published school guidance describes KS2 English and Maths and potential wider curriculum topics. Older Trafford verbal/non-verbal mocks are not faithful 2028-format simulations.

Trafford mock guidance

Bexley · Quest

Quest provides two non-adaptive paper assessments of about 50 minutes each. English comprehension, verbal, numerical and non-verbal skills are included. Confirm 2027 test dates with Bexley.

Bexley guide

Buckinghamshire · GL

Buckinghamshire expects practice and transfer tests in early September 2027 for 2028 entry. Check the Council timetable and use mocks as skill practice, not official standardised score predictions.

Buckinghamshire practice

Essex · CSSE

CSSE confirms its English test remains 60 minutes plus 10 minutes reading, with a separate 60-minute Maths paper. CSSE says 2028 registration opens in May 2027; exact dates will follow.

CSSE practice guide

Other schools and ISEB

Sutton, West Midlands, independent schools and ISEB routes vary by school and may use different stages or computer-adaptive assessments. Verify the 2028 entry prospectus before relying on a mock format.

Browse other targets

A practical plan for 2028 entry

  1. Choose your target school and read its 2028-entry admissions policy.
  2. Check the test date: Gloucestershire plans July 2027; many other grammar-school tests run in September 2027.
  3. Match the right subjects, including English, Maths, reasoning or wider-curriculum questions where applicable.
  4. Take the free Common Diagnostic, then review strengths and gaps in Topic Mastery.
  5. Practise regularly with short sessions, and do timed mocks when ready. Written answers need review where applicable.
  6. Read the current provider guide shortly before registration, as paper design and dates may change.

For 2028 entry: do not use an older Trafford GL reasoning mock or Gloucestershire GL-style mock as though it reproduced the new FSCE test. The existing papers can still help with individual skills.

Official admissions and format sources

Public information checked 17 October 2026. Schools and admission authorities are the final source of rules and test dates.

Frequently asked questions

Does 2028 entry mean taking the 11+ in 2027?

Usually yes. Most grammar-school tests for September 2028 entry take place in 2027, but Gloucestershire plans to test in July 2027 and individual schools can vary.

Is the Kent Test changing provider for 2028 entry?

Yes. Quest Assessments replaces GL Assessment from the test sat in 2027, but Kent Council says the structure and timing stay the same.

What changes in Gloucestershire and Trafford?

Both change to FSCE for 2028 entry. Gloucestershire has published Adventure, Beacon and Compass papers; Trafford is changing from the previous GL-style verbal/non-verbal reasoning model to a KS2 curriculum-based FSCE assessment.

Are the Homework Magic mocks official 2028 papers?

No. The mocks are original, independent practice. Earlier 2027-labelled papers remain available for skills revision, but may not reflect 2028 providers or papers exactly.

Six new provider-aligned 2028-entry practice mocks

Two fresh original Homework Magic simulations are available for each changed route: Kent Quest 2028, Gloucestershire FSCE 2028 and Trafford FSCE 2028. All use independently written questions. The new paper counts and timings are not official operational specifications; Kent retains its established broad structure, Gloucestershire has Adventure, Beacon and Compass, and Trafford assesses the primary curriculum.

Common 11+ practice for 2028 entry

The 15 Common 11+ mocks, including the free diagnostic and four longer challenge papers, are still useful for broad English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning practice. Their public names are now year-neutral because no universal 11+ format exists. These are general skills mocks, not verified copies of your school’s 2028 papers. The interactive mock catalogue includes a 2028-entry format filter for newer provider-aligned simulations and for earlier-format practice.

Continue preparing

2028 preparation guide · School/area mock index · Start mock exams · Year-round plan · Topic Mastery