How the 11+ Exam Works
The 11+ isn't a single national exam — it's a family of selective entrance tests, set by different boards, that grammar and independent schools use to identify academically able children for Year 7 entry. Understanding the format, subjects and scoring is the first step to preparing effectively.
This guide explains exactly how the 11 plus exam works (and how each board's 11+ format differs): what's in it, how long it lasts, which subjects are tested, and — crucially — how the scoring and standardisation work, which is the part parents most often misunderstand. For a broader overview, see our complete guide to the 11 plus exam.
Key Takeaways
- The 11+ tests up to four subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- Most papers are multiple-choice with five options, no negative marking, and last around 45–60 minutes each.
- Raw scores are converted to standardised scores (typically ~69–141, average 100) and adjusted for age.
- Age standardisation removes the older-child advantage — it doesn't simply "add marks".
- There's no national pass mark — each school or consortium sets its own qualifying score, often 115+ for selective schools.
The 11+ Exam Format — Papers, Timing & Question Style
The exact format depends on the exam board and the school, but most 11+ exams share these features:
- Multiple-choice — most GL Assessment papers offer five answer options (A–E), marked on a separate answer sheet.
- Timed papers — each subject paper typically runs 45–60 minutes, often with a short break between.
- No negative marking — wrong answers don't lose marks, so it always pays to attempt every question.
- Practice questions first — papers usually start with instructions and a few practice examples before the timed section begins.
Some grammar schools and most independent schools use written ("standard format") papers instead, which require longer written answers — and many independent schools add a creative writing task. Always confirm the format with your target school.
What Subjects Are on the 11+ Exam?
The 11+ assesses up to four subjects. A given school may test all four or a subset — for example, some test only Maths and English, others add one or both reasoning papers.
| Subject | What it tests |
|---|---|
| English | Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and spelling; some schools add creative writing |
| Maths | The KS2 curriculum applied to problem-solving — number, fractions, geometry, measurement, data and more |
| Verbal Reasoning | Problem-solving with words and language — codes, sequences, analogies and vocabulary |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Problem-solving with shapes and patterns — odd one out, sequences, matrices and codes |
You can prepare for each with our dedicated practice papers: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning — each with a tutor video for every question.
11 Plus Question Types Explained
Each of the four 11 plus subjects breaks down into a wide range of question types. Familiarising your child with the patterns is the single biggest practice win — most children improve dramatically once they recognise the structure of a question, regardless of the topic.
Verbal Reasoning question types
GL Assessment's Verbal Reasoning test covers up to 21 distinct question types, including coded sequences, hidden words, letter analogies, antonyms, synonyms, missing letters, word categories and number-letter codes. Strong vocabulary is the single biggest predictor of success — children with rich reading habits have a real advantage. Practise these systematically with our Verbal Reasoning papers.
Non-Verbal Reasoning question types
NVR typically features around 12 question types, including odd-one-out, matrix problems, code shapes, similar shapes, hidden shapes and 3D reasoning. Unlike VR, NVR doesn't depend on language — but pattern recognition takes time to develop. Build it with our Non-Verbal Reasoning papers.
English question types
11 plus English combines reading comprehension (the largest section), grammar, punctuation and spelling. Some schools add a creative writing task — particularly independent schools. Comprehension passages often draw on older or classical texts, so wide reading pays off. Practise with our English practice papers.
Maths question types
Maths covers the full KS2 curriculum — number, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, geometry, measurement, time, money, data and basic algebra — applied to multi-step problem-solving rather than simple calculation. Speed matters: most papers test 40+ questions in 50 minutes. Practise with our Maths practice papers.
Multiple Choice vs Standard Format — Which Will Your Child Take?
One of the most important format distinctions in the 11+ is whether the test is multiple choice or standard format (written answer). Both still count as the same 11+ exam, but they require subtly different exam technique.
| Multiple Choice | Standard Format | |
|---|---|---|
| How answers are given | Tick or shade one of A–E on a separate answer sheet | Write the full answer in the booklet |
| Common in | GL Assessment papers (most state grammars) | Many independent schools, some grammar schools |
| Negative marking | No | No |
| Best technique | Eliminate wrong answers; never leave blanks | Show working; handwriting and presentation matter |
| Speed pressure | High — answer sheet bubbling adds time | Moderate — writing slows you down |
If your target school uses multiple-choice 11+ papers, your child needs separate practice on the mechanics of the answer sheet — bubbling, transferring answers cleanly, working out which question they're on. It sounds trivial, but mis-bubbling is a real cause of lost marks every year.
The Exam Boards — GL, CEM, ISEB & SEAG
Which board your child sits depends on the school and region:
| Board | Used by | Style |
|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Most UK state grammar schools | Separate, structured subject papers; multiple-choice |
| CEM | Some consortia (now largely transitioned to GL for state grammars) | Mixed-format papers blending subjects; vocabulary-heavy |
| ISEB (Common Pre-Test) | Many independent schools | Adaptive online test; four sections |
| SEAG | Northern Ireland grammar schools | Transfer Test — two papers across English and Maths |
Choose practice that matches your board: GL Assessment, CEM, Independent (ISEB) or SEAG. For Northern Ireland families, see our SEAG Transfer Test guide.
How 11+ Scoring & Standardisation Work
This is the part parents most often find confusing. Here's how it works:
Raw scores become standardised scores
Your child's raw score (the number of questions answered correctly) is converted into a standardised score. Each question carries equal weight and there's no negative marking. The standardised score typically ranges from about 69 to 141, with 100 as the average for a child of that age.
Scores are adjusted for age
Two children in the same school year can be almost 12 months apart in age. To make the test fair, scores are age-standardised: a younger child's performance is compared to others of the same age. This removes the natural advantage an older child would otherwise have — it isn't simply "giving younger children extra marks", and it can't compensate for poor performance.
There's no national pass mark
Each school or consortium sets its own qualifying score, and it can change year to year depending on the difficulty of the paper and the strength of the cohort. For the most selective schools, qualifying scores are often around 115 and above (for example, Buckinghamshire's qualifying score is typically 121 out of 141). Always check your target school's published admissions criteria.
What's a "good" score? A standardised score of 100 is average; 115+ is strong; the most competitive schools may require 120+. But the only score that truly matters is your target school's qualifying mark for that year.
11 Plus Pass Mark Explained — What Score Does Your Child Need?
One of the most-asked parent questions is: "What's the pass mark for the 11 plus?" The answer is that there is no single national 11 plus pass mark — each school or consortium sets its own qualifying standardised score, and that figure varies by year, region and the strength of the cohort. Here are the typical thresholds for 2026 entry:
| Region / Authority | Typical Qualifying Standardised Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buckinghamshire | 121 / 141 | Combined score across two papers, age-standardised |
| Kent | Combined ~320 across three papers | English, Maths and Reasoning combined |
| Birmingham (consortium) | ~111 average | Top 1,000-ish candidates qualify; threshold floats with cohort |
| Sutton (London) | ~117 average | Highly competitive; super-selectives may need 125+ |
| Wirral | ~111 average | Top-ranked candidates qualify, not a fixed cut-off |
| Trafford | ~111 average | Top-ranked candidates qualify |
Two important nuances:
- Qualifying is not the same as being offered a place. Even if your child clears the 11 plus pass mark, the offer also depends on catchment, sibling priority, and other admissions criteria.
- Super-selectives publish very high cut-offs. The most competitive grammar schools (e.g. Reading School, Kendrick, Tiffin, Latymer, QE Boys/Girls Barnet) routinely require scores at the top end of the 11 plus standardised score range — often 120+ or considerably higher in some years.
Need ballpark figures? A standardised score of 100 is the population average. 115+ is strong. 120+ qualifies for most selective schools. The very top super-selectives sometimes need 125-130+. The only number that truly matters, though, is your target school's published qualifying score for the year your child sits.
Mock Exams — Putting Format & Scoring Into Practice
Reading about 11 plus format and scoring is one thing. Sitting a full timed paper, under exam conditions, with someone scoring it accurately — that's where preparation really clicks into gear. Mock exams are how most children find out, before exam day, whether they can pace themselves correctly, transfer answers cleanly to the answer sheet, and stay calm under time pressure.
We recommend two or three mocks across the summer term of Year 5 and the holidays before September, gradually building exam conditions. See our 11 plus mock exams guide for a step-by-step approach, and our free 11 plus papers to get started.