Buckinghamshire 11+ exam: the complete guide for 2026

Buckinghamshire 11+ exam candidates sit the Bucks Test in one of only two fully selective counties in England — every state secondary place is allocated through the 11+ process, with no comprehensive alternatives. There are 13 grammar schools and preparation culture is among the most intense in the country. If you are considering grammar schools in Buckinghamshire for 2026, this guide covers how the Bucks Test works, all schools, registration, the unique 13+ transfer route, and how it differs from Kent. Bucks uses GL Assessment; families also applying to Birmingham 11+ — CEM format guide must add CEM-specific preparation — mixed papers and vocabulary emphasis — on top of the four-subject GL syllabus.

Buckinghamshire grammar schools at a glance

What makes Buckinghamshire different from every other 11+ area

Most families approaching the 11+ in other parts of England are making a choice — to pursue a grammar school place while having perfectly good comprehensive alternatives available. In Buckinghamshire, every family makes this journey whether they want to or not.

Because all state secondary schools in Buckinghamshire are grammar schools — there are no comprehensives — every child in Year 6 sits the Bucks Test. Children who do not pass are allocated places at one of the county’s upper schools, which take children from age 13. This creates a secondary transfer at 13+ for children who pass an internal test, meaning children who did not qualify at 11 have a second opportunity to enter grammar school at Year 9.

This structure has several implications for families new to the county:

• The volume of well-prepared children sitting the Bucks Test is exceptionally high — because every local family goes through the process, preparation is deeply embedded in the local culture. A child moving to Buckinghamshire from elsewhere may encounter peers who have been preparing since Year 4 as a matter of course.
• The emotional stakes are also higher than in most areas. Children who do not pass the Bucks Test are visibly separated from peers who do — they attend different schools from age 11. This is worth discussing honestly with your child before the results arrive.
• The 13+ route is a genuine second chance and one that families sometimes overlook. Children at upper schools who subsequently pass an internal transfer test can join Year 9 at a grammar school — making the 11+ result less final than it might initially appear.

How the Bucks Test works

The Bucks Test is produced by GL Assessment and covers all four 11+ subject areas — English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. This is the key difference from the Kent Test, which omits NVR. If your child is applying to both Kent and Buckinghamshire schools, NVR preparation is essential from the start.

The four papers are sat on the same day in September of Year 6. Children sit the exam at their own primary school — not at a grammar school — making exam day familiar and logistically straightforward for most families.

What the Bucks Test examines

• English — a reading comprehension passage of 400–600 words followed by questions testing literal retrieval, inference, vocabulary in context, and language analysis. Some years include a vocabulary and grammar section alongside the comprehension.
• Mathematics — arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, geometry, algebra, data, and word problems beyond the standard Year 6 curriculum. Approximately one question per minute across 50 questions.
• Verbal reasoning — all 21 GL question types may appear. The VR paper is fast-paced — approximately 80 questions in 50 minutes.
• Non-verbal reasoning — the nine core NVR question types: sequences, matrices, analogies, odd one out, reflections, rotations, nets, hidden figures, and shape codes. NVR requires specific preparation because it is not taught in school.

Bucks Test registration: dates and process for 2026

Registration for the Bucks Test is time-sensitive — the window is typically only four to six weeks, and missing it means your child cannot sit the exam that year.

Buckinghamshire grammar schools: the complete list

Use the filters to browse by area or school type. Always confirm admissions policies and last-offered distances on each school’s website.

How Buckinghamshire allocates grammar school places

Passing the Bucks Test makes your child eligible for a grammar school place — but eligibility and allocation are separate steps. When more children qualify than there are places, each school applies its own oversubscription criteria:

1. Looked-after and previously looked-after children — highest priority by law.
2. Children with an EHCP — where the school is named in the plan, they must be admitted.
3. Siblings — children with a brother or sister currently attending the school.
4. Distance from home to school — straight-line distance to the main entrance among remaining qualifying children.

The distance challenge in Buckinghamshire

The distance tiebreaker matters enormously — particularly at Royal Grammar School High Wycombe, Aylesbury Grammar, and Dr Challoner’s, where last-offered distances have sometimes been under three miles.

For families within Buckinghamshire, proximity to a specific school matters as much as score. For out-of-county families, the most competitive schools are often inaccessible by distance, while less oversubscribed schools may remain realistic targets.

Download admissions data for your target schools and check last-offered distance from the previous two to three years before building your preparation plan.

The key difference from Kent: NVR is tested

The single most important practical difference between the Bucks Test and the Kent Test is that Buckinghamshire tests all four subjects — including Non-Verbal Reasoning. This has a direct impact on preparation time and strategy.

Preparing for the Bucks Test: subject-by-subject guide

English

The Bucks Test English paper uses the standard GL comprehension format. See the 11+ English guide for all question types, literary techniques, and vocabulary strategies.

Mathematics

The maths paper covers the full GL syllabus at one question per minute. See the 11+ Maths guide for topic-by-topic explanations and common errors.

Verbal reasoning

All 21 GL types may appear — approximately 80 questions in 50 minutes. Begin VR in early Year 5 if your child is new to it. See the 11+ Verbal Reasoning guide.

Non-verbal reasoning

NVR catches families who focus only on English, Maths, and VR. Begin NVR in parallel with VR, not after. See the 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning guide for all nine types and the SCSNRPL method.

Out-of-county applications to Buckinghamshire grammar schools

Buckinghamshire grammar schools accept out-of-county applicants from Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, London, and further afield. The practical challenge is the distance tiebreaker — the most sought-after schools fill places with local qualifying children.

London families sometimes apply to south Buckinghamshire schools alongside London grammar schools — comparing with Bucks — the GL format preparation is different from Sutton’s bespoke exam but the underlying skills overlap.

Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, Chesham Grammar School, and Burnham Grammar School have historically been more accessible for out-of-county families — though this changes annually. Research last-offered distance for your specific targets before investing in preparation.

The 13+ transfer: Buckinghamshire’s second route into grammar school

Children who did not qualify at 11+ and attend upper schools can sit an internal transfer test at the end of Year 8 and, if successful, join a grammar school at Year 9. This route is unique to Buckinghamshire’s fully selective structure and means the 11+ result is less final than in Kent or Birmingham.

Research individual schools’ 13+ processes well in advance of Year 8 if you are considering this path.

Bucks Test vs other 11+ areas: key comparison

Appeals: what to do if results are not what you hoped

If your child receives a “not suitable” result, you have a right of appeal heard by an independent panel. Unlike Kent, Buckinghamshire does not have a formal borderline review process — the result is pass or fail, with no automatic school reference review.

Remember the 13+ transfer route remains available regardless of the 11+ result. For many families, focusing on the Year 8 opportunity produces a better outcome than a contested appeal.

Further preparation resources

• 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning guide — all 9 question types with the SCSNRPL method
• 11+ Verbal Reasoning guide — all 21 GL question types explained
• 11+ English guide — comprehension tips and vocabulary strategies
• 11+ Maths guide — every topic with worked examples
• GL vs CEM explained — understanding the GL format
• 11+ preparation strategy — building a four-subject study plan
• Kent 11+ guide — if also applying to Kent grammar schools