About Lincolnshire Grammar Schools
Lincolnshire has one of England’s largest selective systems: 15 grammar schools in the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools (LCGS), spread across towns including Boston, Bourne, Grantham, Sleaford, Spalding, Louth, Gainsborough, Horncastle, Alford, Skegness and Caistor.
14 of the schools share a single GL Assessment 11+, so your child sits one test for all of them; Caistor Grammar School sets its own separate entrance exam. You register directly with your chosen grammar school, and the shared result is recognised across the consortium schools.
For September 2027 entry, the consortium test is taken on two Saturdays in mid-September 2026, with results in October. You then list schools on your home authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October; the qualifying score is 220 (roughly the top 25%), after which each school applies its own catchment and oversubscription rules.
Lincolnshire Grammar Schools
The 15 Lincolnshire Consortium grammar schools. Fourteen share one GL test; Caistor Grammar sets its own. Click any school for its detailed admission guide, catchment and key dates:
The fourteen consortium-test schools share one result (qualifying score 220), but each sets its own catchment and oversubscription criteria. Caistor Grammar School runs a separate entrance exam, so register with it directly.
About the Lincolnshire 11+
The Lincolnshire Consortium 11+ is the shared test used by 14 of the 15 grammar schools. It is provided by GL Assessment, and your child sits it once for all of them. Caistor Grammar School sets its own separate exam.
Format: two multiple-choice papers — Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal/Spatial Reasoning — taken on two separate Saturdays. There is no maths or English/creative-writing component. Scores are age-standardised and combined across both papers.
The qualifying score is 220 across the two papers (about the top 25% of those sitting). For 2027 entry the papers fall on two Saturdays in mid-September 2026, with results in October. Reaching 220 makes a child eligible, after which each school ranks applicants by its own criteria (distance, pupil premium, siblings).
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Lincolnshire Grammar Schools
Most Lincolnshire grammar schools share one Consortium 11+: register directly with your chosen grammar school during the registration window (in Year 5), and your child sits the shared test once — on two Saturdays in mid-September 2026 for 2027 entry — with the result recognised across the consortium schools. Results arrive in October with a qualifying score of 220. You then list schools on your home authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October, with offers on National Offer Day (1 March). Reaching 220 makes a child eligible but does not guarantee a place — each school applies its own criteria (distance, pupil premium, siblings). Caistor Grammar School sets its own separate exam, so register with it directly.
What the Lincolnshire 11+ Covers
The Lincolnshire Consortium 11+ assesses verbal reasoning and non-verbal/spatial reasoning only — there is no maths or English paper. Practising realistic GL-style reasoning papers is the most effective preparation.
Lincolnshire 11+ Practice Papers for Lincolnshire Grammar Schools
Lincolnshire Grammar Schools uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Lincolnshire 11+
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Lincolnshire Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
How many grammar schools are in Lincolnshire?
Fifteen, in the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools — across Boston, Bourne, Grantham, Sleaford, Spalding, Louth, Gainsborough, Horncastle, Alford, Skegness and Caistor.
What is the Lincolnshire 11+?
A GL Assessment test of two multiple-choice papers — verbal reasoning and non-verbal/spatial reasoning — with no maths or English component.
Do I sit a separate test for each school?
No — 14 of the 15 schools share one test, so you sit once and the result is recognised across them. Caistor Grammar sets its own separate exam.
What is the qualifying score?
220 across the two papers (about the top 25% of those sitting). Reaching it makes a child eligible; each school then applies its own oversubscription criteria.
How do I register?
Register directly with your chosen grammar school during the registration window in Year 5. The shared test falls on two Saturdays in mid-September 2026 for 2027 entry.
How do I apply for a place?
List your chosen schools on your local authority's Common Application Form by 31 October; offers are made on National Offer Day (1 March).
What does the test not include?
There is no maths paper, no English comprehension and no creative writing — the Lincolnshire 11+ tests reasoning only.
Does the qualifying score guarantee a place?
No — the schools are oversubscribed, so places are allocated by each school's criteria (often distance) among children who reach 220.