11 Plus
Here is some information about the 11 Plus exam which takes place in several areas of England.
WHAT IS THE "11 PLUS" ?
The "11 Plus" is a selective examination, set by some state grammar schools in England as a way of determining which children should be selected to enter their schools in Year 7. Up until the 1970's, every child in England and Wales had to sit the 11 Plus examination to determine which type of Secondary school they would go to once they had left their Primary school. With the coming of the Comprehensive system of Secondary education, many towns abolished their grammar schools, turning them into comprehensive schools, where no selection test was needed. There were some towns however, who elected to keep their grammar schools, which are still in existence today. As places at the existing grammar schools are at a premium, the only way of securing a place is through your child reaching a high enough mark in the selection test, which each grammar school sets. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 children sit the 11 Plus exam each year for around 15,000 places, giving each child a 1 in 6 chance of gaining a place.
WHERE ARE THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND ?
The following counties/metropolitan boroughs still have state grammar schools:- Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Devon, Dorset, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, London, Manchester, Middlesex, North Yorkshire, Shropshire, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Wiltshire.
In addition to the above, there are several former state grammar schools in different towns in England, which have now gone private, which have a selection test at 11 Plus.
WHEN DO THE SELECTION TESTS TAKE PLACE ?
The date of a particular selection test to a grammar school varies from area to area, but generally speaking most grammar schools have their entrance tests between the months of October and March. For example, schools in Essex and Lancashire hold their tests in November. It must be stressed though that certain grammar and independent schools may set their tests during other times of the year.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE 11 PLUS EXAM ?
In the first instance, you should contact your child's primary school, who should have all the details to hand. Or alternatively the Local Education Authority of the grammar school you wish to apply for. Nowadays most local authorities send out details of the 11 plus test in their area to every Year 6 child via the child's primary school, well in advance of the actual test day. Of course there will be a deadline for your application to be handed in by, which you should make sure you do not miss. If the grammar school you wish your child to apply to is in another area from which you live, it would be advisable to contact the grammar school direct. Details of all grammar schools are provided on the next page.
WHAT SUBJECTS ARE SET IN THE 11+ EXAM?
There are four subjects which are commonly set for the 11+ exam. These are English, Mathematics, Non-verbal Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning. For an explanation on what Non-verbal Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning mean, see below. Please note that not all four subjects are used by some authorities in their 11+ exams. Eg. Essex does not test in Non-Verbal Reasoning.
WHARE CAN I GET HOLD OF 11+ PRACTICE PAPERS?
Most bookshops stock a wide variety of 11+ practice papers, as well as several internet web sites.
To buy 11+ practice papers booklets from this site press here
To download 11+ practice papers from this site press here
For more detailed information about the 11 Plus, please log onto our sister website, The 11 Plus website