11+ Practice Papers with Expert Video Solutions for Grammar School Entry

The 11+ pass mark varies by region and selectivity. Most UK grammar schools use age-standardised scores rather than raw percentages — a child typically needs around 115+ on the standardised scale, with Buckinghamshire requiring 121 and some London grammars requiring 130 or higher. A raw 70% on a practice paper is a strong start but may or may not reach those thresholds depending on how difficult that specific paper was and how other children performed. Consistency across multiple 11+ practice papers is a better indicator than any single score.

Most parents find Verbal Reasoning the toughest because it tests question types that aren't taught in school — codes, ciphers, analogies, hidden words. Maths usually feels most familiar since it builds on KS2 curriculum. Non-Verbal Reasoning requires distinct visual-puzzle skills that some children find natural and others struggle with. English comprehension can be challenging when texts include older or more literary passages. The "hardest" subject is usually the one with the steepest learning curve for your individual child.

Start 12 to 18 months before the exam. Begin with a diagnostic 11+ practice paper to identify subject strengths and gaps. Then work through realistic 11 plus exam papers regularly — once or twice a week — using tutor video explanations to review every wrong answer. Focus on exam-style conditions (timed papers, no help) as the exam approaches, and gradually increase difficulty. Quality matters more than quantity: completing a paper, understanding every mistake, and re-attempting weak topics is more effective than rushing through many papers.

Real 11+ past papers are rarely released by exam boards — most are kept confidential to maintain exam integrity. What people commonly call "11 plus past papers" are usually realistic practice papers written in the exact style, format and difficulty of actual exams. Our 11+ practice papers mirror the format used by GL Assessment, CEM, ISEB Common Pre-Test and SEAG, so they offer the same preparation benefit as past papers would.

Most successful 11+ candidates work through 8 to 15 full practice tests in the six months before the exam. The exact number depends on your child's starting level and the schools you're targeting. Quality and depth of review matter more than raw quantity — every paper should be marked, every wrong answer reviewed with a tutor video walkthrough, and weak areas re-practised. A multi-pack bundle of 12 papers is enough preparation material for most candidates.

Yes. We offer separate 11+ practice papers tailored to each major UK board: GL Assessment (used by most English state grammar schools), CEM (mixed verbal-reasoning format used by a shrinking number of grammars), ISEB Common Pre-Test (most independent schools), and SEAG (the Northern Ireland Transfer Test). Each set mirrors the official format, timing, and difficulty of the relevant exam. Check your target school's admissions page or use our school database to find which board they use.