A Parent's Guide to the 11+
Grammar schools in England and Northern Ireland select pupils through an entrance exam sat in Year 6 — but the subjects tested, the timing, and the exam provider all vary by area and even by individual school. There is no single national format.
This guide sets out what's usually tested, a sensible term-by-term timeline for preparation, and how to read school rankings without being misled by them.
Generate Free 11+ Practice QuestionsWhat's Actually Tested
Most 11+ exams draw on some combination of four subjects, split across two or three papers. Not every school tests all four — some drop English entirely, others add extras.
Mathematics
KS2 arithmetic and reasoning, stretched into Year 6 topics: ratio, algebra basics, geometry, data handling.
English
Comprehension, spelling, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary. Around 30% of grammar schools skip this subject.
Verbal Reasoning
Word-based logic: codes, analogies, hidden words — drawn from a bank of around 21 named question types.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Pattern and shape logic — series, matrices, rotations. Tests reasoning independent of language or maths knowledge.
Some schools also test:
A Preparation Timeline
Most families begin preparing in Year 4 or early Year 5 — a little and often, rather than a last-minute cram. Exact dates depend entirely on your local authority or consortium, so treat this as a shape, not a schedule.
Year 4 — Spring & Summer
Build the foundations
- Strengthen daily reading and times-tables fluency — no exam-style practice yet
- Introduce the idea of the 11+ casually, so it doesn't arrive as a shock
- Start noticing which local schools use which exam board (check admissions pages)
Year 5 — Autumn Term
First exposure to reasoning
- Introduce Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning — most children haven't met this style before
- Short, low-pressure sessions: 20–30 minutes, a few times a week
- Confirm your target schools' subjects, exam provider and registration process
Year 5 — Spring & Summer
Structured practice
- Move to timed practice papers across all tested subjects
- Register for the local authority test or consortium (deadlines are often in the summer term — check early)
- Start reviewing wrong answers together, not just marking them
Year 6 — September Onward
Exam window
- Many consortia sit the test in September–November; some areas differ — confirm your exact date
- Final full-length timed mocks under exam conditions
- Focus shifts to technique and pacing rather than new content
Year 6 — March
National Offer Day
- Secondary school offers are released on National Offer Day (1 March, or the next working day)
- An appeals process exists if a place isn't offered — check your local authority's timetable
How Grammar School Rankings Work
League tables (The Times Parent Power, DfE performance tables, and others) rank schools mainly on GCSE grades at 9–7, A-level grades at A*–A, and Progress 8 scores.
London
- Queen Elizabeth's School, BarnetBoys' — regularly cited for Oxbridge entry
- Wilson's SchoolSutton — frequently top-ranked for GCSE outcomes
- The Tiffin Girls' SchoolKingston — consistently high national placing
- The Henrietta Barnett SchoolBarnet — girls', frequently cited for academic excellence
- St Olave's Grammar SchoolOrpington — regularly placed among top academic results
Beyond London
- Kent grammar schoolsAlmost 40 schools — one of the largest selective areas
- Buckinghamshire grammar schoolsKnown for consistency in Progress 8
- King Edward VI Foundation, BirminghamCamp Hill, Five Ways, Aston, Handsworth
- Trafford grammar schoolsNorth West — strong GCSE and A-level outcomes
- Northern Ireland grammar schoolsFully selective system, via the transfer test
Exam Providers Differ Too
GL Assessment
Used by the majority of consortia. Typically multiple-choice with five answer options, drawing on a documented, publicly-listed set of question types across Maths, English, VR and NVR.
CEM / CSSE-style
Some areas use CEM-style or their own bespoke tests instead, which can blend subjects within a single paper. Providers and formats do change over time — always confirm directly with your target school or local authority.
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From Reading to 11+ Practice
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