Free, expert-written 11 plus advice and guides for UK parents — covering everything from understanding the 11+ exam and 2026 key dates, to preparation plans, best books, mock exams, scoring and Northern Ireland's SEAG Transfer Test. Written by the ExamTutor team, updated for 2026.
Not sure which 11 plus guide to read first? Use these shortcuts based on where you are on the journey:
New to the 11+? Begin with our comprehensive overview — it explains everything and links out to every other guide.
The complete parents' guide to the 11+ — what it is, how it works, the formats (GL, CEM, ISEB, SEAG), key dates and how to prepare.
Read the complete guide →Start with the fundamentals — what the 11 plus exam is, who it's for, and exactly how each board's format, subjects and scoring work.
The exam format and timing, the four subjects tested, the exam boards, and how standardised scoring and pass marks really work.
Read the guide →Registration windows, exam dates, results, the CAF deadline and National Offer Day — a clear year-by-year timeline so you never miss a date.
Read the guide →From building foundations in Year 3 to the final sprint in Year 6 — practical, parent-tested 11 plus preparation plans you can start today.
A clear, five-step plan from building foundations to mastering exam technique — without the cramming.
Read the guide →When to start (Year 3, 4 or 5), how to prepare at home, building a timetable, and the best practice resources — a full preparation roadmap.
Read the guide →Choose the right books and resources, and put them to work with timed mock exams — the two highest-impact things you can do for exam day.
The top 11+ books by subject (CGP, Bond, Letts) compared with online tools and video-led practice — how to build the right toolkit.
Read the guide →Why timed mock exams matter, how to use them, and online mock test papers in GL, CEM and SEAG formats with video feedback.
Read the guide →A separate test, different timeline, different scoring — everything Northern Ireland parents need on the SEAG transfer test.
Most 11 plus advice online is either outdated or written by general content sites that don't understand the day-to-day reality of grammar school preparation. Every guide in this knowledge hub is written by the ExamTutor team — tutors and editors who work with UK families preparing for the 11 plus exam every week — and refreshed for the 2026 cycle.
If you're searching for clear, accurate grammar school advice for the 11+ — covering GL Assessment, CEM, ISEB Common Pre-Test and the Northern Ireland SEAG Transfer Test — you'll find it here. The guides are free, with no sign-up required, and link out to ExamTutor's practice papers when it genuinely helps your child's preparation.
Every article is updated annually for the current cycle, so what you read for the 11 plus 2026 cycle is current, not recycled from 2018. New 11+ guides for parents are added each month — if there's a topic you'd like us to cover next, get in touch.
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