What Is the 11+ Exam? A Clear Guide for Parents

What Is the 11+ Exam?

The 11+ is an entrance exam taken by children in parts of the UK to win a place at a selective secondary school, such as a grammar school or an independent school. If you are new to the process, it can feel confusing. The exam formats, deadlines and admissions rules vary a lot from area to area. This guide explains the basics so you can plan your child’s preparation with confidence.

Children usually sit the exam at the start of Year 6, when they are 10 or 11 years old. The test measures two things: what your child knows, in English and maths, and how well they reason, through verbal and non-verbal problem-solving.

If you would like more background on how grammar schools fit into the wider UK system, our guide to UK secondary schools and grammar schools is a helpful place to start.

The Four Core Subjects

Most 11+ exams are built around four areas. English and maths test what your child has learned and understood. The two reasoning papers test how logically they can think.

Did you know? Verbal and non-verbal reasoning are rarely taught in primary schools. That is why so many families spend extra time on these papers. Children often need to be shown the main question types before they feel comfortable with them.

Not Every 11+ Is the Same

The exact subjects and format depend on the schools you are applying to:

• Some schools test only Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
• Others include all four core subjects.
• Some add extra sections, such as creative writing or science.
• A few schools have papers written to their own requirements.

Different exam boards also produce the 11+, including GL Assessment and the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB). Each board has its own style, timing and approach. For example, the layout of a GL-style non-verbal reasoning paper can look quite different from another provider’s.

Tip: Before you buy books or plan a timetable, contact each of your target schools or check their admissions pages. Find out which subjects they test, which exam board they use and whether the questions are multiple choice or written answers. This one step stops you wasting time on the wrong practice.

How Competitive Is the 11+?

The 11+ is very competitive. Estimates often suggest that around 100,000 children sit it each year for roughly 15,000 places at grammar and other selective schools. The exact numbers vary by region and year, but demand clearly outstrips supply in many areas.

Parents are often surprised to learn that passing the 11+ does not guarantee a place. Reaching the qualifying score usually makes your child eligible. Places are then allocated using a range of factors, which can include:

1. Your child’s 11+ score, often ranked against other candidates
2. Where you live, including catchment areas and distance from the school
3. Interview performance, at some independent and selective schools
4. Other admissions criteria, such as siblings or looked-after status

This is why many families aim comfortably above the pass mark rather than just reaching it.

Exam Day and Results at a Glance

How Families Prepare

Preparing for the 11+ can be intense for children and parents alike. Families generally choose one or more of these routes:

• Private tutoring: one-to-one or small-group support from an experienced tutor.
• Prep courses: structured classes, often run at weekends or during school holidays.
• Self-study: workbooks, online resources, apps and timed practice papers at home.

Whatever route you choose, the most effective preparation usually has three parts:

1. Learn the methods. Children need to understand how each question type works, especially in verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Our guides to key verbal reasoning methods and non-verbal reasoning tips cover the essentials.
2. Practise little and often. Short, regular sessions build skills and confidence more reliably than occasional long cramming sessions.
3. Rehearse under exam conditions. Timed practice papers help your child manage time, cope with pressure and get used to the exam format.

Tip: Start with topic-by-topic learning to fill gaps, then gradually move on to full practice papers as the exam gets closer. Children who build their knowledge first and then test it usually improve much faster than those who only do mock papers.

For a fuller month-by-month plan, see our Complete Guide to 11+ Exam Preparation.

Keeping Perspective

The 11+ can open the door to an excellent education, but it is not the only route to success. Every child is different, and there are many paths to doing well at secondary school and beyond. Keep preparation positive and balanced. Make sure your child knows that their effort matters more than any single result.

Prepare for Every Part of the 11+ with 11+ Apps

Our suite of 7 specialist apps covers every core area of the 11+, with 8,100+ questions in total. Your child can learn the methods, practise each topic and then build exam confidence with full papers:

• Non-Verbal Reasoning: 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning offers 540 visual pattern questions across 18 topics, including cube nets, 3D rotation, paper folding and GL-style matrix questions.
• Verbal Reasoning methods: 11+ Verbal Reasoning Methods & Techniques teaches the key techniques with 1,050 questions and detailed study notes across 22 topics, including word codes, letter series and analogies.
• Verbal Reasoning practice papers: 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers provides 1,920 questions across 24 practice papers for realistic exam rehearsal.
• Maths learning: 11+ Maths Learn & Test covers 1,280 questions across 32 topics, with study notes on fractions, algebra, shapes, data handling and more.
• Maths practice papers: 11+ Maths Practice Papers builds exam readiness with 1,200 questions across 24 full practice papers and detailed explanations.
• English: 11+ English Practice Papers includes 600 questions across 12 practice papers covering comprehension, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary in context.
• Vocabulary: 11+ Vocabulary Builder strengthens word knowledge with 1,600 questions across 20 topics, from synonyms and antonyms to idioms, homophones and shades of meaning.

Whichever subjects your target schools test, these apps give your child a structured, flexible way to prepare. They can work at their own pace, wherever they are.