Everything you need to know before you buy — the practice papers, Quest, prices, access and refunds — plus honest answers about the 11+ exam itself.
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What we sell, whether it suits your child, and what it costs.
Two things, both written by 11+ tutors. Practice papers are downloadable PDF exam papers with a tutor-led video walkthrough for every single question, bubble-style answer sheets and full answer keys — you print them at home and mark them. Quest is our browser-based practice software: thousands of questions by topic, timed mocks, a Weekly Challenge, flashcards, a Skills Report and an automatic exam plan. Buy either on its own or both together as a discounted bundle. See the papers and Quest for GL Assessment, SEAG, Independent 11+ or CEM.
Yes — with no sign-up and no email required. For every exam board you can open a free Quest demo, download a free (watermarked) practice paper and watch a sample tutor video. Start on our free 11+ samples page and pick your board. We would rather you tried the samples first, so you know the style suits your child.
It depends entirely on the school. Most English state grammars use GL Assessment (Kent, Buckinghamshire, Trafford, Sutton, Bexley, Lincolnshire and many more). Many independent senior schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Test or their own papers (our Independent edition), and a group of selective independents use Cambridge Select Insight, the test formerly known as CEM (our CEM edition). Northern Ireland's grammar schools use the SEAG transfer test. Not sure? Look the school up in our school database or check its admissions page.
Quest is best for day-to-day skill-building through Year 5 and into Year 6 — little and often, by topic, with instant marking and an automatic plan. The printed papers are best for the final phase: full, timed papers at a desk under real exam conditions, with a tutor video to review every mistake. Many families use Quest to build the skills and the papers to rehearse the real thing, which is why both together cost less than buying them separately.
Everything is a one-off purchase — no subscription and nothing renews. Practice papers: Test Packs are £19 each (about four papers); all the papers are £69 for GL Assessment and Independent 11+, or £49 for SEAG and CEM. Quest: £59 a year for GL Assessment and Independent 11+, £49 a year for SEAG and CEM, with a second child £25 on top. Both together: £89 (GL, Independent) or £75 (SEAG, CEM).
Every paper, video and Quest question is written by experienced 11+ tutors who prepare children for these exact tests, not by a general publisher. ExamTutor has been trading since 2001, has been used by more than 10,000 UK families, and is rated 4.98 out of 5 from 618 verified reviews — you can read them on our testimonials page.
Our distinctive feature is a tutor video for every question, so your child sees the method rather than just the answer — and it is a one-off price, not a monthly subscription. We concentrate on 11+ and transfer-test preparation rather than spreading across every age and exam. For prices and features side by side, with sources, see our providers compared page.
No. The papers and Quest are one-off purchases with no auto-renewal. Access runs for 12 months; when it ends nothing is taken from your card — you simply buy again if you want to continue.
What you get, how the videos work, printing and access.
Each paper comes as a PDF in the exact format of the real exam, with a bubble-style answer sheet, a full answer key and — the part parents value most — a tutor-led video walkthrough for every single question. You print the papers at home, mark them with the key, then use the videos to go through every wrong answer.
A Test Pack (£19) is a small set of about four papers — ideal for trying our style or for targeting one stage. All papers is the complete set for your board at one price: £69 for GL Assessment and Independent 11+, £49 for SEAG and CEM. The complete set works out far cheaper per paper than buying Test Packs one at a time.
GL Assessment: 24 papers and 1,200 tutor videos. Independent 11+: 24 papers and 1,200 tutor videos. CEM: 18 papers and 900 tutor videos. SEAG: 12 papers and 672 tutor videos. Each edition covers the subjects that board tests — SEAG is English and Maths only, and CEM has no separate English paper.
Either. They are PDFs, so you can print them for realistic timed practice at a desk — what we recommend for the final run-up — or your child can work through them on screen. For everyday practice by topic, Quest is the on-screen option.
After your child has finished a paper, log in to your dashboard, open the video solutions and choose the paper. Every question has its own short video in which a tutor explains the question, the method and the answer. Your child can jump straight to the questions they got wrong and watch as often as they like.
Twelve months from purchase. You can download the PDFs straight away and watch the videos through your dashboard at any time during the year. There is no auto-renewal — if you would like to extend afterwards you simply buy again.
Real 11+ papers are confidential and never released, so nobody can sell genuine past papers. Ours are realistic practice papers written by tutors in the style, format and difficulty of the GL, CEM, ISEB and SEAG exams, so they give the same familiarity. Always confirm your school's format on its admissions page or in our school database.
Yes — the papers are yours to print at home for your own children as many times as you need during your 12 months' access. They are for personal family use, not for sharing outside your household, redistribution or resale.
What Quest is, what it includes for your board, and how it works on your devices.
Quest is our interactive 11+ practice software, used in an ordinary web browser. It gives your child thousands of questions organised by subtopic, an Exam Hall of timed mocks, official-format sitting papers, 500+ flashcards with audio, a daily five, a My Corrections pile that keeps every slip until it is beaten, a printable Skills Report with an exam-readiness verdict, and an automatic week-by-week exam plan. New this September: a Weekly Challenge in which a friendly Guardian character guards one topic each week, My Hero — a character your child customises with items that unlock through medals, streaks and corrections beaten — and a working-out board under every question. It is designed to make daily practice feel like a game while quietly tracking exactly what your child needs next. Try the free demo for your board.
GL Assessment: 4,600 questions across English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Independent 11+: 4,600 questions across the same four subjects. CEM: 3,560 questions across Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. SEAG: 2,600 questions across English and Maths. Every edition includes the Exam Hall, sitting papers, flashcards, the Weekly Challenge, My Hero, the working-out board, the Skills Report and the exam plan.
Nothing to install. Quest runs in a normal web browser on a laptop, tablet or phone — log in and go. It works on whatever device your child already uses for homework.
As your child practises a subtopic they win Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum medals, which shows progress at a glance and keeps motivation up. The Exam Hall holds three timed mock papers and a Big Exam for each subject, alongside the official-format sitting papers, so your child can rehearse full timed conditions on screen before doing the same on the printed papers.
Two additions from September 2026 that give your child a reason to come back without any pressure. In the Weekly Challenge a friendly Guardian character — Count Countdown, Ms Mixup, Dot the Data Dragon and friends — guards one topic each week. It is ten untimed questions from that topic, your child's weakest subtopics first, with one try a day until Sunday; scoring 7 out of 10 meets the Guardian and adds it to an album, and anything missed goes into My Corrections. There are no timers, no defeats and no chance rewards. My Hero is a character your child designs — ten characters, colours, hair and hats, outfits, extras, a friend and a backdrop — and every option is unlocked by learning: medals won, day streaks, corrections beaten and Guardians met. The hero sits in the header of the app, and the Skills Report lists the Guardians met.
The Skills Report is a printable summary of how your child is doing in every topic, with an exam-readiness verdict in plain English, eight-week trends, the strongest areas, what needs work, what to practise next and the Guardians met in the Weekly Challenge. You can put it behind an optional grown-up PIN so it is for your eyes rather than your child's — useful if you would rather manage expectations yourself.
Yes. Once you set the exam date Quest builds a week-by-week plan, and it serves a daily five and a Weekly Challenge so there is always a clear next step. Anything answered incorrectly goes into My Corrections and comes back around until it is mastered, and the audio flashcards keep vocabulary and key facts fresh.
Progress is saved on the device it is used on, or to your account when you are logged in on our site. To move between devices — from a tablet to a laptop, say — Quest lets you export your progress and import it on the other device, so nothing is lost.
Yes. A second child's Quest account is £25 on top of the first, so each child has their own progress, corrections, Skills Report and plan. Email us if you have more than two children sitting the 11+ and we will sort it out.
No. Quest is a one-off purchase for a year with no auto-renewal — you will not be charged again unless you choose to buy another year.
Buying, logging in, refunds and getting help.
You order through our secure shop. As soon as your payment goes through you will get an email with a link to set your password; once that is done, you log in to your dashboard to download the PDFs, watch the videos and open Quest. If the email has not arrived within a few minutes, check your spam or promotions folder.
Debit or credit card, or PayPal, through our shop.
First check your spam or junk folder and search your inbox for "ExamTutor". If it is still not there, email info@examtutor.co.uk with the name and email address you used at checkout and we will resend your access link.
Because the papers and Quest are digital and available the moment you buy, at checkout we ask you to tick a box agreeing to immediate access and confirming you understand this waives the normal 14-day right to cancel — so we do not offer change-of-mind refunds once you have accessed the content. That is exactly why every board has free samples you can try first. None of this affects your legal rights: if anything is faulty, not as described or does not work, contact us and we will put it right or refund you.
Each purchase is meant for one child, so that Quest's progress and Skills Report stay accurate. For siblings, add a second child to Quest for £25, and use different Test Packs so the children are not sharing answers — or email us and we will help you choose the best combination.
After 12 months your dashboard access ends. There is no automatic charge. If you would like to continue, you simply purchase again.
Email info@examtutor.co.uk and a member of the team — often a tutor — will reply, or use the contact form. For help choosing the right edition for a particular school, try the school database.
GL, CEM, ISEB and SEAG explained, and how the scoring works.
The 11+ is the selective entrance exam used by grammar schools and some independent schools to allocate Year 7 places, usually sat in Year 6. It typically tests English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, although some schools test only some of these. Scores are age-standardised so younger children in the year group are not disadvantaged. Our guide What is the 11+ exam? goes into more detail.
GL Assessment uses predictable, subject-specific papers and is the most common board for English state grammars — well suited to focused topic practice. CEM was renamed Cambridge Select Insight in April 2025 and moved online; most state grammars that used it, including Birmingham's King Edward VI schools, have switched to GL Assessment, and it is now used mainly by a group of selective independent schools. It mixes question types with heavier vocabulary and tighter timing. We offer an edition for each — check which one your target school uses.
The ISEB Common Pre-Test is a computer-based, multiple-choice test in English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning used by many leading independent schools for 11+ and 13+ entry. Some independents also set their own written papers and a creative-writing task. Our Independent 11+ edition is built for this style of entry.
SEAG — the Schools' Entrance Assessment Group — runs Northern Ireland's transfer test for grammar-school entry, taken in P7. It is two papers, a week apart in November, each 60 minutes, covering English and Maths only. Registration is at seagni.co.uk. Our SEAG edition mirrors this exact two-paper format.
There is no single national pass mark — each school or area sets its own. A standardised score of 100 is simply the national average for your child's age, not a pass; most selective schools want around 110–121 or higher, and the most competitive grammars need more. Standardisation adjusts for your child's exact age in months. See the scoring questions in the full guide below for what different scores mean.
Check the school's own admissions page, or search for the school in our school database, which covers 577 grammar and independent schools with the board and format each uses. If in doubt, ring the school — they are used to the question.
Most English regions hold the test in September of Year 6, with registration opening around April or May and closing in June or July of Year 5 — and applying for a school place on the Common Application Form is a separate step, with a 31 October deadline. SEAG is sat in November of P7, with registration over the summer. Dates change every year, so see our key dates guide and confirm with your school or local authority.
It depends on the board and the school. GL Assessment and most independent schools test all four; CEM covers Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning; SEAG tests English and Maths only. Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning are not taught in the national curriculum, so they usually need the most dedicated practice.
When to start, how much to do, and how to keep it calm.
Most tutors suggest starting around the beginning of Year 5 — roughly 12 to 18 months before the test — with light, regular practice. Starting much earlier can cause fatigue; leaving it to the last few months makes it hard to cover the reasoning topics that are not taught at school. In less competitive areas a bright, motivated child may only need familiarisation and exam technique.
Most successful candidates work through roughly 8 to 15 full papers in the six months before the exam, building up to timed papers near the end. The quality of the review matters more than the number: mark every paper, watch the video for each wrong answer, and practise the weak areas again. The complete set of papers for your board gives you plenty of material.
Little and often beats marathons. In Year 5, about 20 to 40 minutes four or five times a week works well — Quest's daily five is built for exactly this — rising to around an hour a day over the summer before the test. Ease right off in the final week and concentrate on rest and confidence.
Not necessarily — many children succeed with structured practice at home. A tutor helps if your child needs someone else's accountability or has specific weaknesses you cannot easily coach. Our video walkthroughs give your child a tutor's step-by-step explanation of every question for a fraction of the cost of weekly one-to-one lessons; some families use both.
Talk about the test as a chance to show what they know, celebrate progress rather than only marks, and get the format familiar with gentle timed practice a few weeks out. The optional grown-up PIN on Quest's Skills Report lets you manage expectations privately. Reassure your child that life carries on happily whatever the result.
These are the topics most children find hardest because they are not taught at school, so familiarity is the biggest single win. Practise a little every day by question type — codes, analogies, sequences, rotations — review mistakes with the tutor videos, and let Quest's My Corrections pile keep bringing the weak types back until they click.
Yes — Quest is entirely on screen and needs nothing installed. For the final run-up we still recommend at least a few printed, timed papers at a desk, because sitting a paper with a pencil is the closest thing to the real exam day.
Most exam boards offer access arrangements — extra time, a quiet room, a reader — for children with documented needs, but you must apply in advance through your school's SENCO or the consortium, usually by the registration deadline. Our materials can be used at your child's own pace. See the SEN questions in the full guide below.
101 more answers about the exam itself — format, scoring, registration, admissions, test day, results, appeals, SEN, the SEAG transfer test, and grammar schools versus other options. Written by our tutors; always confirm details with your school or local authority, as rules vary by area and change from year to year.
The 11+ is a standardised entrance exam used by selective grammar schools in England to allocate Year 7 places. It typically tests English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and is sat in September of Year 6 by most candidates. The exam is designed to identify children working at the top ability range in their year group (normally the top 25%). Scores are age-standardised, meaning younger pupils within the school year are not disadvantaged. The 11+ is academically rigorous — typical pass marks are 121 standardised points (sometimes higher in oversubscribed regions like London).
The SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group) Transfer Test is Northern Ireland's selective entry test for post-primary grammar schools. It is taken in Year 7 (P7) of primary school. Unlike the English 11+, SEAG uses a single shared test taken across two papers (typically one week apart in November). Both papers assess English and Mathematics. Results are returned in January, and applications are managed via the EA NI Transfer Portal. SEAG replaced AQE and GL Assessment NI in 2023.
Terminology only — they are both selective entrance exams. 11+ is the English term, used for entry to grammar schools in England at age 10-11. Transfer Test is the Northern Ireland term (managed by SEAG), used at age 10-11 for transfer to grammar schools. The format and content differ: English 11+ commonly includes Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning; SEAG focuses on English and Mathematics only with a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions.
Any child in Year 6 (England) or P7 (Northern Ireland). You do not need to be in a state school — independent and home-schooled pupils can register. Registration is usually direct with the regional consortium or Local Authority. For SEAG NI, registration is through the SEAG portal at seagni.co.uk. Out-of-county candidates are welcome to register for any English consortium, though some schools give priority to local pupils in oversubscription.
No. The 11+ is completely optional. It is only required if you want your child to be considered for a place at a grammar school or selective independent. Children who do not sit the 11+ will still receive a Year 7 place via the usual Common Application Form (CAF) for non-selective state schools. In Buckinghamshire children are automatically registered for the test, but parents can opt out.
Yes for state grammar schools — there is no fee to sit the test. SEAG (Northern Ireland) charges a £20 administration fee per child (pupils on Free School Meals Entitlement are exempt). Independent schools charge a registration fee, typically £75-£150 per school. Many regions also run optional mock exam sessions with a small fee.
Year 6 in England — children are typically 10 turning 11 when they sit the test in September. Year 7 (P7) in Northern Ireland — children sit SEAG in November of P7 (also age 10-11). For SEAG 2026 entry, eligible children were born between 2 July 2015 and 1 July 2016. Some 13+ Common Entrance exams exist for independent schools, but these are separate from the 11+.
The SATs are standardised tests taken by all Year 6 pupils in May to measure their understanding of the Key Stage 2 national curriculum — used by government to assess school performance. They are compulsory for state primary pupils. The 11+ is optional and is the selective entrance exam for grammar schools, sat in September of Year 6. The 11+ tests subjects not covered in the curriculum (verbal/non-verbal reasoning), and the format is very different — usually multiple-choice with strict timing.
Four subjects in most boards: English (comprehension, grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary), Mathematics (numerical reasoning, problem-solving, arithmetic), Verbal Reasoning (analogies, sequences, codes, logic) and Non-Verbal Reasoning (shapes, patterns, spatial reasoning). The Essex CSSE and SEAG NI tests only cover English and Maths (no separate reasoning papers). Some independent schools add a creative writing piece, interview or pre-test.
Typically 45-60 minutes per paper. GL Assessment tests usually consist of 2-3 papers each 45-50 minutes long. SEAG papers are 60 minutes each. Total test time across all papers is usually 1.5 to 2.5 hours, with short breaks between papers for refreshments and toilet use. It is rare for any single 11+ paper to last longer than one hour.
Both test similar subjects but differ in question style. GL Assessment uses predictable, subject-specific papers with multiple-choice answers — well-suited to focused topic preparation. CEM was designed to be 'less coachable' with mixed-format papers, broader vocabulary and varied question types. CEM was renamed Cambridge Select Insight in April 2025 and moved online; most state grammars that used it — including Birmingham's King Edward VI schools — have switched to GL Assessment, and it is now used mainly by a group of selective independent schools. Always confirm which test your target school uses.
Mostly yes. GL Assessment uses standard multiple-choice answers on a separate answer sheet which is computer-marked. SEAG uses multiple-choice for the main questions plus free-form short-answer for some Maths questions. Independent school tests often include some written/long-answer questions, especially for English creative writing. Always check your specific school's format.
Verbal reasoning tests your child's ability to think logically about written information and use this skill to solve problems. Questions include analogies, sequences, codes, finding the odd word out, anagrams, and identifying relationships between words. Verbal reasoning is widely used in 11+ exams because research has shown it is one of the best predictors of academic potential. It is not taught in the national curriculum, so preparation is essential.
Non-verbal reasoning tests problem-solving using pictures, shapes and patterns. Questions involve identifying which shape comes next in a sequence, finding the odd shape out, or rotating shapes mentally. There is often an element of maths involved, as numerical patterns can be presented visually. Non-verbal reasoning is used to assess raw cognitive ability independent of literacy skills. It is not on the KS2 curriculum, so dedicated practice is needed.
Some boards do, some do not. GL Assessment: usually no creative writing in the qualifying paper, but some schools add a writing piece for tie-breakers or borderline cases. CSSE Essex: yes, the English paper includes an extended written response. SEAG NI: no creative writing — multiple-choice and short-answer only. Independent schools: many require an extended writing piece. Sutton SET Stage 2: typically includes creative writing.
Most GL Assessment papers are marked by computer — your child notes answers on a separate machine-readable sheet which is scanned. Papers with free-form or written answers are marked in person by trained examiners. Writing tasks are often only marked in specific circumstances (e.g. if your child reaches a high enough score on the multiple-choice papers, or for borderline tie-breakers).
No — calculators are not permitted in the 11+ exam. Your child must do all working mentally or on paper. Most exams provide working space within the question booklet or on a separate sheet. This makes mental arithmetic speed and accuracy a core preparation area.
SEAG consists of two papers sat about one week apart in November. Each paper is 60 minutes and contains 56 scored questions plus a warm-up section. Both papers test English (comprehension, spelling, punctuation, grammar) and Mathematics. The format mixes multiple-choice (44 questions with 5 options each) with 12 free-form written answers. Children record answers on a separate pupil answer sheet, not on the test paper itself.
A standardised score adjusts your child's raw score against the cohort, the difficulty of the paper, and your child's age in months. Most tests use a mean of 100 with a standard deviation of 15 — so a score of 121+ is roughly the top 10% of candidates. The minimum score is usually around 70 and the maximum around 141. Standardisation makes scores comparable across years and between candidates of different ages.
Age-standardisation adjusts the score upwards for younger pupils within a school year, so a child born in August is not disadvantaged compared to a child born the previous September. This is a statistical process: a child's raw mark and age in years and months are used to calculate the standardised score. The youngest pupils in the cohort can receive several extra points compared to the oldest.
Each school sets its own qualifying mark — there is no national pass mark. As a guide: 121 standardised is common in non-London grammars (Kent, Bucks, Lincs, Trafford). London consortiums (Sutton SET, Kingston Tiffin) often require 200+ in a combined score due to extreme competition. Birmingham West Midlands Grammar Schools have set the pass mark at the 26th percentile from 2026 entry onwards. Highly selective schools (QE Barnet, Henrietta Barnett) effectively require near-perfect scores.
As a general rule, aim for a standardised score of 110 or above — this puts your child comfortably in the top quartile. For super-selective schools (top London grammars), you'll need scores in the 130s. The Kent Test requires 109+ in each of the three components (English, Maths, Reasoning) to qualify. Always check your specific target school's recent pass marks, which are usually published on their admissions page.
Bexley uses a different system from most regions. The qualifying score for the Bexley Selection Test is set at the 26th percentile of cohort performance — typically working out around 343 in the combined raw score for 2026 entry. The English component was changed to multiple-choice in 2024. The Bexley Test is separate from Kent and Medway tests.
Yes — it is possible not to pass the qualifying mark. If your child does not pass, they are not eligible for a grammar school place, but they will still receive a Year 7 offer through the CAF for non-selective schools. Many excellent comprehensive schools, faith schools, academies and free schools take Year 7 pupils. It is not the end of the educational journey.
Usually no. Most schools just inform you whether your child meets the eligibility standard — they will not normally provide a detailed mark-by-mark breakdown. Some consortiums (e.g. Kent) email an overall standardised score and individual subject scores. Birmingham West Midlands does not release detailed component scores to parents.
Super-selective grammar schools (such as QE Barnet, Henrietta Barnett, Tiffin, Sutton's Wilson's) admit children purely by 11+ rank order — the highest-scoring candidates are admitted first until all places are filled. This means even high scores can be insufficient if the cohort is exceptionally strong. Super-selectives often have no defined catchment area, attracting applicants from across London and beyond.
Most consortiums do not offer formal re-marking, since papers are usually computer-marked from a scanned answer sheet. If you have specific concerns (e.g. a clear administrative error), contact the consortium or school directly. For independent schools that mark by hand, you may be able to request a review of borderline scripts in a documented appeal.
England: register via your target school's consortium portal or Local Authority website. Kent: County Council. Buckinghamshire: TBGS (pupils at Bucks state primaries are auto-registered). Birmingham/West Midlands: The Grammar Schools Portal. Bexley: Bexley Council. Each region has different deadlines — most close June-July of Year 5. Northern Ireland: SEAG at seagni.co.uk. Registration is just for the test — applying for a school place is a separate step via the CAF.
Most regions open registration in April or May of your child's Year 5. Lincolnshire opens earliest (Friday 9 January 2026). Bexley opens 1 March. Most other consortiums (Slough, Bucks, Sutton, Bromley, Barnet) open 1 May 2026. Kent Test opens latest — 1 June 2026. Check our Key Dates page for the full regional calendar.
The Common Application Form is the legally-required form for Year 7 secondary school admission in England. Submit it via your home Local Authority (the council where you live) — not the school's LA. List 3-6 preferences in order depending on your LA. The deadline is Saturday 31 October 2026 for 2027 entry. Late applications are processed only after on-time ones, drastically reducing your chance. The CAF applies to both selective and non-selective preferences.
On your CAF, you can list 3-6 preferences depending on your home Local Authority. Children can sit the 11+ in multiple consortiums (e.g. Kent + Bexley + Medway), but each consortium has separate registration. Some parents register for several to maximise options — though this means multiple test days and prep formats. Remember: if grammar schools are oversubscribed, geographic priority criteria still apply.
Yes — there is no restriction on which English LA your child can apply to. You can apply to any combination of state secondary schools nationally. However, register for each region's 11+ test separately. Note: most grammar schools give priority in oversubscription to local applicants — so applying from far away may not lead to an offer even with a passing score. Some grammars have no defined catchment area at all (e.g. all 4 Bexley grammars, Wilson's School).
Late registration is rarely accepted. Bexley has no late window. Kent has very limited capacity for late entries. SEAG NI may open a brief late registration window with a £50 fee (instead of the standard £20) — but this is not guaranteed. If you miss the test entirely, your child cannot be considered for a grammar place that year. Plan ahead and set calendar reminders for spring 2026.
No. The SIF (Supplementary Information Form) is an extra form some schools require alongside the CAF — typically for faith schools (proving practising religion) or for music/sports aptitude streams. The CAF is the main local authority form listing preferences. Faith schools often require a SIF to assess religious priority criteria; without it, your child may drop down the priority list.
Yes — home-schooled and independently-schooled pupils can register for the 11+ in every consortium. The registration process is identical to state-schooled pupils. Some consortiums require additional documentation if pupils are not on a Department for Education-recognised school roll, but this is administrative only. Home-educated children sit the test at designated test centres, not at their own home.
Some faith-affiliated grammar schools (e.g. Bishop Vesey's, St Bernard's Catholic, St Olave's, St Michael's Catholic Finchley) ask for a Supplementary Information Form to determine if a child meets the faith criteria for oversubscription priority. This typically involves a letter from a priest or religious leader confirming regular attendance and active membership. SIF deadlines are usually before the CAF deadline — often early October.
Depends on the region. Consortiums (Kent, Bucks, CSSE Essex, West Midlands, Trafford, Sutton SET, SW Herts): one registration covers all member schools. Individual schools (Reading, Kendrick, Henrietta Barnett, QE Barnet, Tiffin, St Michael's Catholic, etc.): each has its own separate registration form and deadline. Always check each school's website.
When more children apply than there are places, the school's oversubscription criteria determine who gets a place. Each school publishes its criteria. Common factors include: (1) Looked-after children (statutory priority), (2) Children with EHCPs naming the school, (3) Siblings already attending, (4) Distance/catchment area, (5) Faith criteria (faith schools), (6) Pupil Premium eligibility, (7) Children of staff. Always read your target school's full policy.
Most grammar schools give priority in oversubscription to children with a sibling already attending the school (provided the sibling will still be on roll when the new child starts Year 7). 'Sibling' usually includes full, half, step- and adopted siblings living at the same address — though definitions vary by school. Sibling priority typically comes AFTER looked-after children and EHCP applicants but BEFORE distance criteria. Even with sibling priority, your child must still pass the 11+ qualifying mark.
A defined geographic area around the school from which applicants receive priority in oversubscription. Catchment can be measured in different ways: straight-line distance (most common — drawn on a map), walking distance, or defined boundary (named streets/postcodes). Some grammar schools have no catchment area at all (all 4 Bexley grammars, Wilson's School), while others have very tight catchments (e.g. Tiffin's geographic priority). Even with a passing score, living far from the school may mean no offer if heavily oversubscribed.
Several grammar schools do not have a defined catchment or priority area — they admit purely by 11+ rank order until all places are filled. These include: All four Bexley grammars (Beths, Bexley, Chislehurst & Sidcup, Townley), Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet, The Henrietta Barnett School, Wilson's School (Sutton), and the two North East England grammars in West Yorkshire (Crossley Heath and North Halifax). These are often called 'super-selective' grammars.
Yes — schools use different methods. Most use the straight-line distance from the centre of the child's home to the school's main entrance, as the crow flies. A few use walking distance (Google Maps shortest pedestrian route). The home address is usually defined as the address where the child permanently lives at the application deadline. Schools investigate suspected temporary tenancies — submitting a fake address is a serious matter and can disqualify the application.
Some grammar schools give priority to pupils from named feeder primary schools. The school's admissions policy lists which primaries qualify. This is most common in regions where a particular grammar has a historic relationship with local primaries. Feeder priority typically comes after siblings but before general distance criteria. The list of feeder schools is published annually.
Only if you make a genuine, permanent move. The home address listed on the CAF must be where the child permanently resides at the application deadline. Schools and LAs investigate suspected temporary moves — using a rental property, a relative's address, or moving back after admission can result in the place being withdrawn. The investigation may include utility bills, council tax, and electoral roll checks. If you move during the application year, list the new address with proof of permanent residency.
Schools require a single primary address where the child sleeps most of the school week. If parents are separated and the child splits time, this is usually the address where the child sleeps Monday-Thursday. Documentary evidence may be requested. List the wrong address can disqualify the application. Local authorities have detailed policies — check yours.
It varies by region. Kent: pupils at Kent state primaries sit the test at their own school; out-of-county candidates sit at designated centres. Bucks (TBGS): at the child's state primary in the county. Birmingham/West Midlands: at the target grammar school or a designated test centre. Bexley: at the child's primary school or at one of the Bexley grammars. SEAG NI: at a designated post-primary school assessment centre — usually not the grammar your child wants to attend. Specific centre details are sent to parents in late August/early September.
Bring: (1) Pencils (HB), pencil sharpener, rubber, (2) Your child's confirmation letter/pupil card (especially for SEAG), (3) Water bottle (clear, no labels), (4) Healthy snack for between papers, (5) Watch (analogue, no smart features). Do not bring: mobile phones, smart watches, calculators, electronic devices. SEAG NI specifically requires the pupil card on entry.
Arrive at least 20-30 minutes before the scheduled start time. This allows for parking, security checks, registration, finding the room, and using the toilet without rushing. Late arrivals may not be allowed to sit the test. Test centres usually open about 30-45 minutes before start time. For 9am tests, plan to leave home extra early to allow for traffic.
Contact the school/consortium immediately — most have an illness procedure. SEAG NI: late or absence requires a medical certificate; reasonable adjustment may permit sitting a backup paper. Most English consortiums: a doctor's note within 24-48 hours may allow a re-sit on a backup day; absences without documented medical reason usually result in not being able to sit that year. Children who are merely tired or nervous should usually sit anyway — performance under sub-optimal conditions is still meaningful.
Within the same year: no. The 11+ may only be taken once per consortium per year. You cannot re-take to improve the score. The following year (Year 7): in theory yes, but most grammar schools do not accept entries into Year 8 except through their own waiting list or 12+/13+ admission tests. Some schools (e.g. Cranbrook School in Kent) have a 13+ entry route via Common Entrance.
Usually no. Test papers are confidential — they are not returned to parents or pupils, and the questions remain confidential to the consortium. Some schools provide a familiarisation paper or sample questions ahead of the test, but the actual paper used for assessment is never released. If your child needs to discuss specific questions afterwards, this is normal — but you cannot review the paper.
Most English consortiums release results in mid-to-late October 2026: Kent (Thu 15 Oct), Bucks (Fri 9 Oct), Birmingham/West Midlands (Fri 16 Oct), Bexley (early October). Tiffin and St Olave's (London) release Stage 1 results in mid-October and Stage 2 invitations the same week. QE Barnet releases provisional results on 1 October — earliest of any English consortium. SEAG NI releases results around Saturday 23 January 2027. Always check your specific region.
Results are usually emailed or posted on the announced day. Format varies: some give just a 'pass/fail' eligibility indicator (e.g. Birmingham); others provide a standardised score with subject breakdowns (e.g. Kent); some publish a rank position within the cohort. SEAG provides the standardised score directly. The result letter typically arrives before the 31 October CAF deadline, giving you time to adjust preferences.
Monday 1 March 2027 for Year 7 entry in September 2027. On this day, every English Local Authority emails/posts secondary school offers to families who applied on time. Northern Ireland's transfer offers are released later — typically in late April 2027. If you don't get your first preference, you can appeal or join the school's waiting list.
No. Passing the 11+ demonstrates eligibility, but places are allocated by the school's oversubscription criteria (siblings, distance, catchment, faith, etc.). In super-selective grammars where everyone passing is competing for limited places, ranking matters — only the highest-scoring qualifying candidates are offered places. Your child must also be listed as a preference on your CAF. Many parents pass the 11+ but list the grammar lower than they should and don't get an offer.
After receiving the offer (Monday 1 March 2027), respond by the LA's deadline — usually 2-3 weeks after Offers Day. Most LAs allow online acceptance via the same admissions portal. If you decline the place, you may be removed from the waiting list. If you do nothing, most LAs assume acceptance after the deadline — but this is risky; always actively confirm.
Yes. You can accept your offer for one school AND remain on the waiting lists of higher-preference schools you didn't get. If a place becomes available on a higher-preference list, you can transfer (and lose your current place). You can also choose to remove yourself from waiting lists you no longer want.
Each grammar school keeps a waiting list of children who qualified but weren't offered a place — usually ranked by the same oversubscription criteria. If a family declines or doesn't enrol, the next child on the list gets the place. Movement is most active in March-July. By September, most lists have stabilised, though some movement happens through the autumn term as children change schools. Some LAs maintain waiting lists until end of Year 7; others until February of Year 7.
Yes — you have a legal right to appeal if your child was refused a place. Appeals are heard by an independent panel and typically focus on whether the school's admissions criteria were applied correctly, or whether your child's case shows exceptional grounds for an additional place. Appeals must usually be submitted within 20 school days of the refusal notification. Forms are obtained from the school or LA.
Success rates vary widely by school and region — typically 10-25% of appeals succeed. For super-selective and oversubscribed grammars (QE Barnet, Henrietta Barnett, Tiffin), success rates are very low (under 10%) because places are tightly capped by infrastructure. For less-oversubscribed regions, success rates can exceed 30%. The strongest appeals demonstrate: (a) admissions error, or (b) exceptional medical/social/family circumstances that make the school uniquely suitable.
(1) Submit a written appeal form with supporting evidence. (2) An independent panel hearing is scheduled (typically May-July). (3) Both you and the school present your cases. (4) The panel deliberates and notifies you of the outcome within 5-10 working days. The panel cannot reconsider the 11+ exam result itself, only whether admission would be appropriate given the criteria. Children who didn't pass the qualifying score have very limited grounds for appeal.
Limited grounds, but possible. You would need to argue that the test result is not an accurate reflection of your child's ability — for example, if your child was unwell on the day (with medical evidence), if there were exceptional disruptions, or if there is documented evidence the child performs well above the test score. The panel rarely overturns the qualifying mark itself but may consider the child's overall academic profile.
Not required — appeals are designed to be parent-led. You can present your own case effectively with thorough preparation. Some parents do engage education appeals consultants or solicitors, especially for higher-profile schools. The panel does not penalise you for presenting independently; they evaluate the substance, not the polish. Many free resources online guide you through the process — start with your LA's appeals guidance.
Most experts recommend starting 12-18 months before the test — that is, end of Year 4 or beginning of Year 5. Atom Learning, Bond, Achieving Success Tutoring, and others all suggest this timeline. Starting earlier (Year 3) can backfire by causing fatigue. Starting later (last 6 months) makes it difficult to cover all the verbal/non-verbal reasoning topics, which aren't taught in the curriculum.
Quality over quantity. Most successful candidates do 20-40 minutes 4-5 times per week in Year 5, ramping up to 1 hour per day in the summer holiday before the test (60-90 minutes if motivated). Avoid weekend marathons — they cause stress and burnout. The 'little and often' approach builds confidence and habit. In the final 4 weeks, focus on full mock papers under timed conditions.
No — many successful candidates pass without one. Tutoring helps if: (1) your child needs structured external accountability, (2) you cannot effectively teach the specific verbal/non-verbal reasoning question types, (3) your child has specific weaknesses needing targeted intervention. A good tutor costs £40-£80/hour. Self-study with high-quality books and online resources (Atom, Bond, ExamTutor papers) is often equally effective. Choose based on your child's learning style.
Verbal Reasoning (codes, analogies, vocabulary) and Non-Verbal Reasoning (rotations, mirror images, sequences) are usually weakest because they're not on the KS2 curriculum. Mental arithmetic speed is critical (no calculators). Reading comprehension stamina for English. Vocabulary breadth — start a vocabulary notebook in Year 5 and aim to learn 5-10 new words per week. Time management in the test itself.
Yes — strongly recommended. Mock exams under timed conditions: (1) Build exam stamina, (2) Identify specific weak topics, (3) Reduce test-day anxiety. We recommend 4-6 full mocks in the final 3 months before the real test. Many companies run paid mock sessions at exam-like venues — these are particularly valuable for replicating the unfamiliar test environment.
Standard recommended series: Bond 11+ (full series for ages 9-11), CGP 11+ books, Schofield & Sims reasoning. For practice papers in the GL/CEM/SEAG/CSSE format, use our ExamTutor 11+ Practice Papers. For interactive learning: Atom Learning, Bond Online. For vocabulary: The Mrs Wordsmith and similar. Avoid bulk-buying — start with one core series and add as needed.
(1) Celebrate progress, not just results. (2) Talk about the test as a chance to 'show what you know', not a high-stakes ordeal. (3) Run gentle timed practice 4-6 weeks before to normalise the exam format. (4) Visit the test centre in advance if possible. (5) The week before, ease off practice and focus on rest and confidence-building. (6) Reassure your child that life after the test continues regardless of outcome.
If available, yes. GL Assessment publishes some familiarisation materials (free on their site). SEAG NI publishes a single sample paper at seagni.co.uk. CSSE Essex publishes past sample papers. Schools often provide their own familiarisation paper. These reflect the exact format and difficulty better than third-party materials. Always supplement with extensive practice from other sources for breadth.
Quality varies. Top companies (Atom, Bond, Exam Papers Plus, ExamTutor) produce papers that closely mirror real exam difficulty and format. Some smaller providers create papers that are harder than the real test (this can damage confidence) or easier (giving false reassurance). Choose providers that explicitly state alignment with your target board (GL/CEM/SEAG/CSSE) and update their materials annually.
Yes — most major providers offer digital practice. Atom Learning, Bond Online, Practice Aptitude Tests and 11PluseHelp all have online interactive practice. ExamTutor's 11+ Practice Papers are available digitally with video explanations. For final preparation, printed papers under real exam conditions are still essential — sitting at a desk with a pencil mimics the actual experience.
Yes — most consortiums offer access arrangements for children with diagnosed Special Educational Needs (SEN), specific learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD), or physical disabilities. Typical arrangements include extra time (25-50%), a quiet room, a reader, a scribe, or use of a laptop. You must apply for these in advance — usually with documentation from the child's primary school SENCO or an educational psychologist.
Before the registration deadline. Each consortium has a specific deadline — typically the same as or earlier than registration close. Kent: applications not accepted after 1 July. Sutton SET: 12 June 2026. West Midlands: 12 June 2026. Last-minute applications without proper documentation will be rejected. Start the process in Year 5 if your child has any documented needs.
Not necessarily. Many access arrangements can be granted based on SENCO documentation (Special Educational Needs Coordinator letter) and recent assessments. Children with a formal Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) have additional rights — including the ability to name a specific school on the EHCP, which then receives statutory priority over the school's oversubscription criteria. Talk to your child's SENCO early.
Dyslexic candidates can apply for extra time, a reader, or use of coloured overlays. You'll need an assessment by a qualified educational psychologist (typically £400-£700). The diagnosis should be recent (within the last 2 years). Once approved, the consortium will note the arrangement on the child's exam papers. This is a standard process — you are not 'gaming' the system; you are levelling the playing field.
Generally no — the exam must be sat at an approved centre. However, you may be able to arrange a quieter, separate room at the test centre, or for SEAG NI, a different centre nearer home. For severe anxiety or other mental health conditions, a CAMHS or GP letter may support a request for a smaller-group sitting. Discuss with the consortium in advance.
SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group) is the body managing Northern Ireland's transfer test. It replaced both AQE and PPTC in 2023. All 63 grammar schools in NI that use academic selection use the SEAG test. It consists of two papers sat about one week apart in November of P7. Each paper is 60 minutes.
Registration opens at seagni.co.uk on Monday 18 May 2026 and closes Friday 18 September 2026 at 11:59pm. Both test papers take place on Saturdays in November 2026 (Saturday 14 and Saturday 21 are the projected dates). Results are typically released in late January 2027.
There is a £20 non-refundable administration fee per child for 2026 registration. Pupils on Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME) are exempt — but evidence from the Education Authority must be uploaded. If there is a Late Registration Window in 2026 (this happened briefly in September 2025), the fee during that window will be £50.
Each paper is age-standardised separately. The two standardised scores are then averaged or weighted (depending on year and school) to produce a final standardised score. Scores typically range 50-130. The top quartile is roughly 115+. Each NI grammar school sets its own admissions arrangements — the SEAG score is one criterion among others (catchment, faith, sibling).
Online at seagni.co.uk. Two stages: (1) Parent/Guardian Registration (creating an account). (2) Pupil Application (registering the child to sit). You'll need: child's birth certificate or passport, child's photograph (passport-style), £20 fee or FSME evidence. Registration is typically open mid-May to mid-September each year.
Yes — there are normally backup arrangements. Contact SEAG immediately if your child is unwell on the test day. A medical certificate may allow access to a re-sit or alternative paper. Children who miss both papers without medical reason cannot be considered for grammar school places that cycle.
No — SEAG can be taken only once per child. There is no re-sit mechanism within the same year. If your child does not pass the qualifying score, they cannot apply to NI grammar schools for that cycle and would need to apply for non-selective secondary places via the EA NI portal.
SEAG papers are produced by GL Assessment but the test is separate from the English GL 11+. The format and content reflect the Northern Ireland Key Stage 2 curriculum, not the English KS2 curriculum. There is some overlap but children cannot use English 11+ scores for NI grammar admission and vice versa.
Once results are released, apply via the EA NI Transfer Portal (separate from SEAG). The portal typically opens late January 2027 and closes mid-February. List your school preferences. Offers are released by the EA on NI Transfer Offers Day — typically late April 2027, earlier than the English National Offers Day.
There are approximately 163 state grammar schools in England, plus 63 grammar schools in Northern Ireland using SEAG. Wales has no grammar schools. Scotland has no grammar schools (the term refers to different schools historically). The 11 fully selective Local Authority areas in England are: Bexley, Buckinghamshire, Kent, Lincolnshire, Medway, Slough, Southend-on-Sea, Sutton, Torbay, Trafford, and Wirral.
State grammar schools: free to attend, government-funded, use 11+ for entry, must follow national curriculum and Ofsted. Independent grammar schools: fee-paying (typically £15,000-£35,000 per year), set their own curriculum, use 11+/13+ Common Entrance or their own tests. The term 'grammar school' historically referred to academically selective secondaries; today both state and independent schools may use the name.
Research is mixed. Pros: grammar schools consistently produce strong GCSE/A-Level results, partly because of selective entry. Cons: comprehensives offer broader social mix, more vocational pathways, and many achieve strong results. A 2018 University of Bath/Bristol/UCL study found grammar pupils earn slightly higher salaries post-graduation, but the effect may reflect the selective intake rather than the school itself. Choose based on your child's individual fit, not reputation alone.
By Sunday Times Parent Power 2026: Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet ranks #1 in the UK, with Wilson's School #2 and St Olave's #3. Top NI grammar: Friends' School Lisburn. Different ranking methodologies (e.g. value-added, Progress 8) produce different orders. Browse our Top 100 Grammar Schools page for the official Times list.
Mixed: many — about half of all state grammars are co-educational. Boys-only: Queen Elizabeth's Barnet, Wilson's, KEGS Chelmsford, Colchester Royal, etc. Girls-only: Tiffin Girls, Wilson's, Henrietta Barnett, Wycombe High, etc. Many traditionally single-sex grammars now admit both genders at sixth form (e.g. Tonbridge Grammar, KEGS, Colchester Royal — all 'mixed 6th'). Check each school's current policy.
Yes — virtually all state grammar schools have a sixth form offering A-Levels. Many are highly competitive with their own 16+ entrance tests. Independent grammars typically also offer A-Levels and increasingly IB. Some recent reforms have introduced T-Levels alongside traditional A-Levels in some grammars, though uptake is variable.
13+ Common Entrance is an entrance exam for many independent (private) schools at age 12-13, primarily for boys' boarding schools (Eton, Harrow, Winchester, etc.). It tests English, Maths, Science, French, Latin, History, Geography, and Religious Studies. Some grammar schools also accept Year 9 entries via Common Entrance or their own 13+ test — but most state grammars only admit at Year 7.
No. ISEB Pre-Test is a different exam, primarily used by leading independent schools for entry at 11+ (Year 7) or 13+ (Year 9). It is multiple-choice, computer-based, and tests English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning — similar subjects to the 11+, but ISEB uses adaptive computer testing and is taken in the autumn of Year 6 or 7. Some children sit both the state 11+ and ISEB Pre-Test for independent schools.
Self-study with books only: £50-£150 total. Online platforms: Atom Learning subscription roughly £380-£670 a year; Bond Online £55-£65 a year; ExamTutor: Test Packs £19, all papers £69 (GL Assessment, Independent) or £49 (SEAG, CEM), Quest software £59 or £49 a year, or both together £89 or £75 — one-off purchases with 12 months' access. Private tutor: £40-£80/hour × 1-2 sessions/week × 12 months = £2,000-£8,000+. Premium tuition agencies: £80-£150/hour. Mock exam sessions: £25-£60 per session. Total cost depends on approach — quality preparation is possible at all price points.
England state grammars: no. SEAG NI: £20 administration fee (free for FSME). Independent schools: £75-£150 per school. Mock exam sessions: optional, £25-£60. Familiarisation papers: usually free from the consortium or school.
State grammar schools are free — no scholarships needed. Independent grammar schools and selective independents often offer bursaries (means-tested fee reduction, up to 100%) and scholarships (merit-based, typically 10-50% fee reduction). Top schools (Eton, Westminster, St Paul's) offer bursaries to gifted pupils from low-income families. Apply via the school's bursary office well in advance of the 11+.
11+ tutors typically charge: Group/online classes: £15-£30/hour. Local 1:1 tutor: £30-£50/hour. Experienced/specialist 1:1: £50-£80/hour. Premium agencies: £80-£150/hour. Rural rates are typically lower; London/SE rates higher. Some tutors offer package discounts (e.g. 20 hours for 10% off). Always ask about cancellation policies and how preparation is structured.
Direct help is limited. Some local libraries lend Bond and CGP 11+ books for free. Some primary schools offer 11+ preparation clubs as part of the school day at no cost. The Sutton Trust and the National Tutoring Programme have offered free or subsidised 11+ tuition for eligible families. Pupil Premium pupils may also receive priority admission to some grammars (e.g. Birmingham, Trafford). Check with your child's school for available support.
Email us and a member of the team — often one of our tutors — will reply. Or try the samples first: a free paper, a tutor video and the Quest demo for every board, no sign-up.