How to pass the 11+
The 11+ is the entrance test for grammar schools and for some independent schools. Children usually sit it at the start of Year 6, and a place can depend on a few marks, so steady preparation makes a real difference.
Every area runs its test differently. Use this guide to plan, and check the details with your local authority, the grammar schools you are applying to, or your area's testing consortium.
What is the 11+?
England has about 160 state grammar schools, mostly in areas such as Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Essex, Trafford and Birmingham. They select pupils with an entrance test taken in Year 6, known as the 11+ or eleven plus.
Registration usually closes in the summer term of Year 5, and most state grammar school tests take place in September of Year 6. Results come before the deadline for secondary school applications at the end of October, so families know where they stand before choosing schools.
What is tested
Not every area tests all four. Some areas use tests written by GL Assessment, others use their own or another provider's, and formats differ in timing and question style. Find out which papers your child will sit before buying practice books.
| Paper | What it tests | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | The KS2 curriculum up to Year 6, often with harder problem solving | Secure times tables, fractions, percentages and word problems, then timed mixed practice |
| English | Comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar, sometimes creative writing | Read widely every day and talk about meanings of new words |
| Verbal reasoning | Word and letter puzzles: codes, analogies, hidden words, sequences | Learn each question type, then practise speed |
| Non-verbal reasoning | Shapes and patterns: rotations, reflections, sequences, odd one out | Practise each pattern type; it improves quickly with familiarity |
When to start preparing
Many families start gently in Year 4 or early Year 5, with reading, times tables and core maths. Focused 11+ practice usually begins about a year before the test.
Starting very late can still work for a child who is already strong in maths and reading, but there is less time to learn the reasoning question types and build speed.
A twelve-month plan
- Months 1 to 3: build the foundations. Daily reading, times tables to 12 × 12, and the KS2 maths topics your child finds hardest.
- Months 4 to 6: learn the question types. Work through each verbal and non-verbal reasoning type slowly, with explanations, before adding any timing.
- Months 7 to 9: mixed practice. Combine subjects in short sessions and start timing sections. Keep a list of mistakes and revisit them.
- Months 10 to 12: full practice papers under exam conditions, in the format your area uses, then work on the gaps they show.
- Keep sessions short and regular, around 20 to 40 minutes, with days off. Tired children make careless mistakes.
Exam-day tips
- Read every question carefully. Many lost marks come from misreading, not from not knowing.
- Skip a hard question and come back to it, rather than losing minutes on one item.
- On multiple-choice answer sheets, mark answers clearly in the right box and check the question number.
- Make sure your child knows where the test is, has slept well and has had breakfast.
Common mistakes
- Doing endless papers before the question types have been taught.
- Practising for the wrong format, for example a different test provider's style.
- Ignoring reading. Vocabulary and comprehension take the longest to improve.
- Pushing so hard that a child loses confidence in the final months.
When an 11+ tutor helps
- To teach the reasoning question types clearly and quickly.
- To find and close gaps in KS2 maths and English before timed practice.
- To practise exam technique and timing in the final months.
- To keep motivation up with someone other than a parent setting the work.
Next steps
Use our free resources, or compare tutors and book a free first lesson.
Frequently asked questions
When do children take the 11+?
Usually at the start of Year 6, in September. Registration often closes in the summer of Year 5, so check your area's dates early.
What subjects are in the 11+?
It depends on the area. Tests can include maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Your local authority or the grammar schools publish which papers are used.
How long does it take to prepare for the 11+?
Most children benefit from about a year of focused preparation, built on strong reading and maths from Year 4 onwards.
Can my child pass the 11+ without a tutor?
Yes, many do, with regular practice at home in the right format. A tutor helps most when a child is stuck on particular question types, needs to build speed, or responds better to someone other than a parent.
What score do you need to pass the 11+?
Each area sets its own pass mark or ranks children by score, and it can change each year. Ask your local authority or the schools for their published information.