What Is the 11 Plus Exam?
So, what is the 11+ exam? The 11 plus exam (often written "11+") is a selective entrance exam taken by children in Year 6, around age 10-11, to win places at grammar schools and many independent schools across the UK. It is one of the most important academic milestones a family will face — and for many parents, the starting point for a great deal of research.
At its core, the 11 plus exam assesses ability across up to four areas — English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning — at a level pitched above the standard Key Stage 2 curriculum. The exam is genuinely challenging and rewards consistent, well-planned preparation.
Crucially, there is no single national 11 plus exam. The format, subjects and timing depend entirely on which exam board your target school uses and which region you live in. The main routes are GL Assessment (used by most state grammar schools), CEM, the ISEB Common Pre-Test (independent schools), and the SEAG Transfer Test in Northern Ireland. Understanding which one applies to your child is the single most important first step.
Key Takeaways
- The 11 plus is a selective entrance exam for grammar and independent schools, taken in Year 6 (Year 7 in Northern Ireland).
- It tests up to four subjects — English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning — above standard Key Stage 2 level.
- There's no single exam — formats vary by board (GL Assessment, CEM, ISEB, SEAG) and region. Confirm your school's board first.
- Scoring is age-standardised around 100, with most grammars requiring 110-121+ to qualify.
- Most English areas sit it in September of Year 6; results arrive mid-October, before the 31 October application deadline.
Who Is the 11 Plus Exam For?
The 11 plus is taken by children whose families want them to attend a grammar school (a state-funded selective school) or a selective independent school. It is entirely optional — parents choose to enter their child — and it is most common in areas that still operate grammar schools.
These "selective" areas include Kent, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham, Trafford, Sutton, Bexley, Lincolnshire, Essex, parts of London, and Northern Ireland (which is selective across the whole region via the SEAG Transfer Test). Passing the 11 plus can open the door to schools with strong academic results, wide extracurricular provision and, often, excellent university progression — which is why competition for places is high — and for the 11 plus exam 2026 cycle, demand continues to rise.
The exam suits academically able children who are working at or above the expected standard for their age, but ability alone is rarely enough — familiarity with the question types (especially Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, which aren't taught in most primary schools) makes a significant difference.
How the 11+ Exam Works — Format, Subjects & Scoring
While the details vary by board, the 11 plus generally works like this. Children sit one or more timed papers — sometimes a single combined paper, sometimes separate papers for each subject. Most papers are multiple-choice and marked automatically using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR), though some boards and independent schools use standard-format (written-answer) papers.
Common paper combinations include: two papers (one testing English and Maths, the other Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning); two papers split differently (English + Verbal Reasoning, then Maths + Non-Verbal Reasoning); or separate single-subject papers. Some selective independent schools run a two-stage process — an initial standardised test, followed by subject re-tests, written papers or interviews for shortlisted candidates.
Raw marks are then converted into an age-standardised score (explained in full below), and each school applies its own qualifying threshold. We break down the formats, subjects and scoring in detail in the sections that follow.
The Different 11+ Formats — GL Assessment vs CEM vs ISEB vs SEAG
Because each exam board structures its test differently, knowing which one your child will sit is essential. Here's how the main routes compare.
| Board | Used by | Format | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Most UK state grammar schools | Paper-based, non-adaptive, often separate papers | Same questions for all pupils; official practice materials published; predictable |
| CEM | Some independents (CEM Select) | Mixed-format papers combining subjects | Designed "tutor-proof"; vocabulary-heavy; withdrew from state grammars in 2023 |
| ISEB Common Pre-Test | 90+ independent senior schools | Adaptive online, four sections | Difficulty adapts to answers; can't go back; multiple-choice; sat once a year |
| SEAG Transfer Test | NI grammar schools | Two papers, English & Maths focus | Sat on two Saturdays in November of Year 7 (P7); age-standardised |
GL Assessment
The most common route, used by the majority of state grammar schools. GL Assessment papers are paper-based and non-adaptive — every child gets the same questions — and the board publishes official familiarisation materials, making preparation more predictable. Typically sat in September of Year 6.
CEM
Designed to be "tutor-proof" with mixed-format papers that combine subjects and lean heavily on vocabulary. CEM withdrew from state grammar admissions in 2023 (most moved to GL), but remains in use at some independents. See our CEM practice papers.
ISEB Common Pre-Test (Independent Schools)
An adaptive online test used by 90+ leading independent senior schools (Eton, Westminster, Winchester). Four subject sections, multiple-choice, with difficulty that adapts to each answer — and you can't go back. See our Independent 11+ practice papers.
SEAG Transfer Test (Northern Ireland)
Northern Ireland runs its own system. The SEAG Transfer Test (formerly two competing AQE and GL tests, unified under SEAG) is sat on two Saturday mornings in November of Year 7 (P7), and is used by grammar schools right across NI — including top Belfast grammars.
What Subjects Are on the 11 Plus Exam?
The 11 plus tests up to four core subjects, broadly aligned with the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum but pitched higher. Not every school tests all four — the combination depends on the board and region.
📖 English
Reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
- Comprehension of varied text types
- Vocabulary breadth (synonyms, antonyms)
- Spelling and grammar accuracy
- Sometimes creative/continuous writing
🔢 Mathematics
Key Stage 2 maths with problem-solving and mental arithmetic.
- Number, fractions, decimals, percentages
- Measurement and data handling
- Multi-step word problems
- Times tables and mental fluency
🗣️ Verbal Reasoning
Language-based logic — not taught in most primary schools.
- Word codes, letter sequences
- Synonyms, antonyms, analogies
- Hidden words and logic puzzles
- Up to 21 question types (GL)
🧩 Non-Verbal Reasoning
Pattern, shape and spatial logic.
- Patterns, sequences and matrices
- Shape rotation and reflection
- Spatial and visual problem-solving
- Codes and odd-one-out
How Is the 11 Plus Scored?
Almost all 11 plus exams use age-standardised scoring rather than raw marks — this is the single most misunderstood part of the process. Here's how it works:
- Raw marks are converted to a standardised scale, usually centred on 100 (the national average for the year group).
- An age adjustment is applied based on the child's exact age in months, so a summer-born child (the youngest in the year) isn't disadvantaged against an autumn-born peer.
- Cohort performance is factored in, so scores reflect how a child performed relative to everyone who sat the test.
Most grammar schools set a qualifying ("pass") score between 110 and 121+, with the most selective requiring higher. In Northern Ireland's SEAG, a score around 100 is average and 105+ is competitive for grammar entry. A standardised score of 121, for example, typically places a child comfortably within the top quarter of the cohort.
Important: When results arrive, many parents receive only a pass/eligible indication rather than a full mark breakdown. Always check each school's admissions policy, as the exact qualifying score and how it's applied (pass mark vs ranking) varies by area.
When to Apply for the 11 Plus Exam — Key Dates & Deadlines
Knowing when to apply for the 11 plus exam matters enormously, and missing a registration window usually means waiting a full year. While exact dates vary by region, here is the typical pattern for 2026 entry:
| Stage | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | Spring/summer term of Year 5 (around May-July) |
| Registration closes | Late summer, before the exam (windows can be short) |
| Exam sat (most English grammars) | First two weeks of September, Year 6 |
| ISEB Common Pre-Test window | October-February of Year 6 |
| SEAG Transfer Test (NI) | Two Saturdays in November of Year 7 |
| Results released | Mid-October (English grammars) |
| Secondary application deadline | 31 October |
You register either directly with the grammar school or through your local authority. For the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the independent senior school registers your child rather than you applying directly. Because windows can be tight, confirm the exact dates with each target school or your local authority during Year 5.
How to Prepare Your Child for the 11+ — A Step-by-Step Plan
The 11 plus is challenging but highly learnable. Here's a proven step-by-step approach:
- Confirm the exam board. Contact your target schools to find out whether they use GL Assessment, CEM, ISEB or SEAG — this shapes everything that follows.
- Run a diagnostic. Sit your child with sample questions in each subject to find genuine strengths and gaps before buying resources.
- Build foundations (Year 4 / early Year 5). Secure times tables to 12×12, establish daily reading, and begin systematic vocabulary building.
- Introduce the reasoning question types. Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning are usually new — learn each type until recognition is instant.
- Practise little and often. 3-4 short sessions a week (20-30 minutes) beats occasional marathon sessions and avoids burnout.
- Add timed papers from the Year 5 summer term. Build exam stamina and speed gradually, starting with generous time limits.
- Sit mock exams and review every mistake. It's the marking, feedback and gap-filling — not just doing papers — that drives improvement.
For a deeper month-by-month plan, see our complete 11 plus preparation guide, and try 11 plus mock exams under timed conditions before the real test. Working through realistic 11 plus exam questions and answers is the fastest way to build confidence. When you're ready to practise, ExamTutor's practice papers include tutor-led video walkthroughs for every question — effectively an online tutor and mock-exam set in one. You can also download free 11+ papers to benchmark your child before committing.