Year 6 · SeptemberEnglandThe 11+: grammar school tests explained
In some parts of England, grammar schools choose pupils with an entrance test called the 11+. Your child takes it in September of Year 6, and the result arrives in October, before the deadline for secondary school applications. The 11+ is optional. Most of England, and all of Wales, has no grammar schools.
Which areas use the 11+?
Grammar schools are concentrated in some counties and London boroughs. These are two of the largest areas. Each area sets its own test and rules.
| Area | Test | 2026 test date | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckinghamshire | Secondary Transfer Test, one test for all grammar schools in the county | September 2026 | October 2026 |
| Kent | Kent Test: English, maths and reasoning | September 2026, or 12 or September for pupils outside Kent schools | October 2026 |
| Other areas | Including Lincolnshire, Medway, Trafford, Birmingham, Essex and several London boroughs | Usually September | Usually October |
Check your council's website or the school's admission policy for registration dates. Registration usually closes in the summer term of Year 5. In Buckinghamshire, children at state primary schools in the county are entered automatically.
The 11+ in 2026–2027
For a place in September 2027, the tests took place in September 2026. The next round, for September 2028, follows the same pattern.
Results
Councils publish their own result dates. Check the admissions timetable for your area.
Secondary school application
List your preferences on your council's application form. Include non-selective schools too.
National Offer Day
You hear which secondary school has offered your child a place.
Registration for the next round
For Year 5 pupils who will take the test in September 2027. Deadlines vary by area.
Next 11+ tests
Usually in the first half of September, at school or at a test centre.
What is in the 11+?
Verbal reasoning
- Word meanings, opposites and odd ones out
- Codes and letter sequences
Non-verbal reasoning
- Patterns and sequences in shapes
- Rotations and reflections
Maths
- Arithmetic and problem solving, sometimes beyond the Year 5 curriculum
English
- Reading comprehension
- Spelling, punctuation and vocabulary
What does a standardised score mean?
Raw marks are adjusted for your child's age in months, so younger children are not at a disadvantage. The average score is 100. Each area then sets a qualifying score. Move the slider to compare a score with Buckinghamshire's qualifying score of 121.
Other areas use different scores. In Kent, for example, the three test scores are added up and the qualifying total is set each year.
More test guides
Sources
- Buckinghamshire Council: secondary transfer test (opens in a new tab)
- Kent County Council: the Kent Test (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: school admissions (opens in a new tab)
Updated on 12 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.