The 11+ is an exam taken by children in their final year of primary school (Year 6, aged 10 or 11) for entry into certain state-funded grammar schools and some selective independent schools.
The 11 plus exam is not something every child has to sit (unlike the SATs exam); it only needs to be sat by children wishing to get a place at a grammar school.
Although the exam itself is a one-off test taking around two hours to complete, the preparation for the 11 plus exam typically starts in Year 4 (and in some cases, Year 3). Thus, the exam ends up being a very important, high stakes event in the lives of young children and their parents.
The exam venue is set by the local council and is often in one of the local grammar schools. The venues and dates are not fixed and can change from year to year.
How do children prepare for the 11+ exam?
Since the 11+ is an exam (which consists of four subjects: English, Maths, VR and NVR), pupils study these topics during their 11 plus journey.
Studying usually involves learning the content and answering questions about the content. The most effective preparation involves sitting mock exams, identifying areas of weakness, working on areas of weakness and re-doing mock exams to see if results improve.
Overall, the preparation is very time consuming and rigorous.
What does the exam involve?
The structure of the exam is not nationally uniform. Instead, it is set by individual schools, consortia of schools, or 11+ exam boards like GL Assessment or CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring).
Generally, the tests assess four key areas: Verbal Reasoning (problem-solving with words and logic), Non-Verbal Reasoning (solving problems using shapes and patterns), Mathematics (often at a level beyond the standard Key Stage 2/ Year 6 curriculum), and English (comprehension, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary).
The exact combination and style of questions depend heavily on which provider the local authority or school uses.
What happens if a child fails the exam?
The vast majority of children that sit the 11+ exam fail it. Many parents are aspirational, and naturally, want to send their children to the best schools. However, not all children are at the required academic calibre to attend grammar schools.
Pupils that fail the 11+ exam will need to attend a regular state school (or be home-schooled). It is possible to appeal results, but this very rarely yields a positive outcome.
What happens if a child passes the exam?
If a child passes the 11 plus exams, it means they are at the right calibre to attend grammar schools. A pass, however, does not guarantee entrance into a grammar school. This is because there aren’t enough seats at a grammar school compared to the number of pupils that pass the test.
The pupils that end up getting a seat at a grammar school tend to be those pupils who have scored very highly in the 11 plus exam. There are other factors, too, that may enhance a pupil’s likelihood of getting a place, but these factors alone cannot guarantee a place in a grammar school. Ultimately, the school or council decides who to offer a school place to.
Parents need to select the grammar school they would like to apply for in the Common Application Form. The schools/ council then decide who to offer a place to based on a variety of factors, with the 11+ exam score being the most important factor.
You ma be thinking this all sounds very stressful, so why do parents consider it?
For many, the appeal lies in securing a place at a high-achieving, fee-free grammar school, which often boasts excellent academic results and a traditional curriculum. It can be seen as a pathway to future opportunities.
However, it is vital to weigh this against potential downsides. The selective nature means many children will be disappointed with missing out on a school place, which can impact confidence. The preparation can be stressful for the whole family, and critics argue it can disadvantage children whose families cannot afford tutoring. Furthermore, a grammar school’s intense academic focus may not suit every child’s learning style or overall needs.
Ultimately, the decision to pursue the 11+ is a personal one. It requires honest reflection on your child’s academic aptitude, resilience, and happiness.
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