11+ Exam Guide

What Is the 11+ Exam?

The 11+ is an entrance exam used by selective grammar schools and some independent schools in the UK to assess Year 6 students for Year 7 entry. It typically takes place in September of Year 6 and tests academic ability across several key areas.

Schools may use:

• GL Assessment
• CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring)
• Or custom exams set by the school

Competition is high, and test formats vary by region and school, so understanding your target school's exam is essential.

• English:Assesses reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Some schools also include a creative writing task to judge storytelling ability, structure, and written expression.
• Maths:Covers Key Stage 2 topics such as arithmetic, problem-solving, fractions, percentages, and data handling. Many questions require strong reasoning and application skills, not just calculation.
• Verbal ReasoningTests understanding and manipulation of language. Questions may involve word meanings, codes, analogies, and logical sequences. This subject is not part of the national curriculum, so focused preparation is essential.
• Non-Verbal Reasoning Involves visual problem-solving using shapes, patterns, and spatial reasoning. Pupils may be asked to identify the next image in a sequence, spot the odd one out, or complete a puzzle based on visual logic.
• Note: Not all schools test all subjects. Some focus more heavily on certain areas (e.g., just English and maths), so it's important to check the specific requirements of your target schools.

• Registration: Opens in April/May of Year 5, closes by June/July.
• Exam Date: Most grammar schools test in early September of Year 6.
• Results: Typically released by mid-October.
• Applications: Must be submitted by 31st October via the local authority portal.

When to Start Preparation

• Year 5 is the most common starting point for formal prep.
• Some families begin gently in Year 4 and Year 3, especially for verbal and non-verbal reasoning.

The ideal approach is “little and often” over time — not cramming in the final weeks.