What Is the 11 Plus Exam?

For millions of UK parents, the 11 plus exam is one of the most consequential educational milestones their child will face. Getting a place at a state grammar school is effectively free private-school quality education — which is why competition has intensified sharply in recent years. Nationally, roughly 1 in 4 children who sit the 11 plus achieve a qualifying score. In some of the most sought-after areas — Slough, Barnet, Sutton — up to 10 children apply for every single grammar school place.

Understanding how the 11 plus works, what it tests, and how to prepare effectively is the first step for any family considering the grammar school route. This guide covers everything parents need to know.

What Does the 11 Plus Test?

The 11 plus tests academic reasoning across four core areas. Not every school tests all four — some focus on two or three — but knowing what each area involves helps parents plan targeted preparation.

There is an important regional difference in how these subjects are examined. GL Assessment (used in Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Berkshire) produces separate, clearly structured papers for each subject with consistent question types from year to year. CEM/Durham University (used in Birmingham, Cheshire, and parts of Berkshire) integrates subjects into fewer papers and deliberately varies its format to make coaching harder. The preparation approach should differ based on which exam your child will sit.

Which Schools Use the 11 Plus?

The 11 plus is used by state grammar schools and some independent schools with selective admissions. Here is a county-by-county breakdown of the current grammar school landscape in England:

Note: London grammar schools are concentrated in the outer boroughs. Barnet has QE Boys and Henrietta Barnett. Kingston has Tiffin and Tiffin Girls'. Sutton has Wallington High School for Girls, Sutton Grammar, and Nonsuch High School. These schools are among the most competitive in England.

Is the 11 Plus Still Used?

Yes — and it is not going away. There are currently 163 state grammar schools across 36 local authorities in England. Competition has actually intensified in recent years. In 2024, some Kent and London grammar schools reported receiving 8–10 applications per available place. The government has not legislated to expand the grammar school system, but it has also made no moves to abolish existing schools.

The debate around selective education continues in political and educational circles, but for families in grammar school areas, the practical reality is clear: if your child wants a grammar school place, they will need to pass the 11 plus.

How Long Is the 11 Plus Exam?

Paper length varies by exam board and by school:

• GL Assessment: Verbal Reasoning paper ~50 minutes; Maths ~47 minutes; English ~45 minutes; Non-Verbal Reasoning ~45 minutes. Not all schools include all four papers — many use two or three.
• CEM (Durham University): Typically two sessions of 45–60 minutes each. Subjects are integrated into the sessions rather than separated into individual papers. Total exam time is similar but the format feels different.

Children usually sit all their papers on the same day, or occasionally across two sessions. The entire exam experience, including instructions and breaks, typically takes 2–3 hours.

What Is the 11 Plus Pass Mark?

There is no single national pass mark — each school sets its own minimum qualifying score (MQS). Raw scores are converted to standardised scores, which adjust for a child's age in months (a child born in August gets a slight uplift compared to one born in September, making the system fairer).

• GL Assessment standardised scoring: Mean score of 100, standard deviation of 15. Scores range from approximately 69 to 141. A score of 121+ is typically needed for competitive grammar schools.
• Super-selective schools (e.g. QE Boys Barnet) typically require 125+ to be considered for a place.
• CEM: Also standardises scores, though cut-offs vary by school and year — typically between 112 and 121.

Each school publishes its minimum qualifying score or historical score ranges. Parents should check the specific school's admissions information each year, as cut-offs change slightly based on the cohort.

When Do Children Take the 11 Plus?

The exam is sat in September of Year 6, when children are aged 10–11. This is crucial: registration is not automatic. Parents must proactively register their child for the test, typically between April and June of Year 6. Missing the registration deadline means missing that year's exam entirely.

The typical timeline runs as follows: registration opens April–June → exam sits in September → results sent to families in October–November → Common Application Form submitted by October 31st → national offer day on March 1st → appeals process runs January–March.

Is the 11 Plus Compulsory?

No — the 11 plus is entirely voluntary. No child is required to sit it. However, grammar schools cannot offer places to children who have not achieved the school's minimum qualifying score. If a parent wants their child to be considered for a grammar school, sitting the exam is essential.

Importantly, sitting (and not qualifying on) the 11 plus does not affect a child's application to comprehensive schools in the same area. Children can and do apply to both grammar schools and comprehensive schools simultaneously.

How Can a Tutor Help With the 11 Plus?

Research from the Sutton Trust found that 63% of grammar school pupils had received private tutoring. A specialist 11 plus tutor brings several advantages over self-study alone: they identify a child's specific weak question types rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, they are familiar with the exact format of GL or CEM papers for your area, they coach exam technique (time management, when to skip and return, how to handle uncertainty), and they provide accountability and motivation throughout a long preparation period.

At KlaraLearn, our available 11 plus tutor profiles include experience with GL Assessment and CEM formats. Families can compare the current profile rate with the £40–£80/hr charged by local specialists. Every new family gets a free trial lesson.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 11 Plus