The 11 Plus: a parent’s guide
Everything in one place: which test your area uses, what is in each paper, how and when to prepare, and free practice questions with answers. Written for parents, checked against how each test actually works.
What the 11 Plus is
The 11 Plus is a selective entrance test for children in Year 6. Grammar schools in England and Northern Ireland use it to decide who is offered a place in Year 7, and many independent schools set their own version. There is no single national 11 Plus: each area, consortium or school runs its own test, so the right preparation depends on where your child is applying.
Most tests are taken in September of Year 6, with results in October, before the secondary school application deadline on 31 October. Independent school tests are usually held between November and January.
What is tested
Maths
Arithmetic, fractions, ratio, geometry, data and multi-step problem solving, often beyond the Year 6 curriculum.
English
Comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar, and sometimes a piece of creative writing.
Verbal Reasoning
Word and letter puzzles: codes, analogies, hidden words, sequences and logic, all learnable question types.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Patterns in shapes and diagrams: odd one out, series, matrices, rotations, reflections and folding.
Tests by area
Find your target school’s test to see its papers, timings and subjects.
How to prepare, step by step
- Find the test. Check which test your target schools use and what it covers.
- Start with a baseline. A short assessment across all four subjects shows strengths and gaps.
- Build the foundations. Daily reading, times tables and core maths matter more than anything else in Year 4 and 5.
- Learn each question type. Verbal and non-verbal reasoning reward knowing the types before practising speed.
- Practise under time. From Year 5 summer, sit timed papers in the format of the real test and review every mistake.
- Keep it calm. Short, regular sessions and plenty of encouragement beat long cramming.
Schools
217 grammar schools and 128 independent schools, with the test each one uses. Browse all schools by area.
Questions parents ask
What is the 11 Plus?
The 11 Plus is a selective entrance test taken in Year 6, usually in September, for places at grammar schools and many independent schools starting in Year 7. It is set by the school, a group of schools or the local authority.
What subjects are in the 11 Plus?
Most tests cover some mix of maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Some areas test only maths and English, some add a piece of writing, and independent schools often set their own papers and an interview.
When should my child start preparing?
Most families begin gentle preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, focusing on reading, times tables and core maths, then add reasoning practice and timed papers during Year 5 and the summer before the test.
Is the 11 Plus the same everywhere?
No. Each area has its own test, format and dates. Kent, Buckinghamshire, Sutton, Essex, Birmingham and Northern Ireland all run different tests, so start by finding the test for your target school.
How does Prism help?
Prism starts with a free assessment, then builds a weekly plan for your target schools with short lessons, timed practice papers and games. Parents and tutors see the same progress.
Find out where your child stands today
Prism starts with a free assessment across maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, then builds a weekly plan for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.
Start the free assessment