Parent resource
11+ Exam Guide
Your complete 11+ exam guide for UK parents — covering the eleven plus exam, 11 plus preparation, what schools test, GL vs CEM, timelines, and how to support your child from first research to results day.
Regional guides
Kent 11+ exam guide
Kent Test format, 33 grammar schools, 2026 registration, borderline results and preparation by area.
Buckinghamshire 11+ exam guide
Bucks Test — fully selective, four subjects including NVR, 13 schools, 13+ transfer route and 2026 registration.
Birmingham 11+ exam guide
CEM format, eight grammar schools, King Edward VI Foundation, consortium registration and vocabulary-led preparation.
Warwickshire 11+ exam guide
Five grammar schools, CEM format, town-by-town geography, dual-area strategy with Birmingham and 2026 registration.
Trafford 11+ exam guide
Four grammar schools, CEM without NVR, all co-educational, borough priority and north-west England’s only selective area.
London grammar schools — Sutton and Kingston guide
Sutton consortium, Kingston, QE Barnet — bespoke exams, creative writing, score-ranked places and London’s fragmented landscape.
Six regional guides are live — Wirral, Lincolnshire and others will be added here as they are published.
What is the 11+?
What is the 11+ exam, how does the 11+ work, and who sits it? The 11+ exam explained for parents — grammar schools, regions, GL vs CEM and how scores work.
- Purpose and history of the exam
- Grammar schools vs independent schools
- Which regions still use the 11+
- GL Assessment vs CEM format
- How scores and pass marks work
GL vs CEM formats
GL vs CEM 11+ explained — the difference between GL and CEM, CEM 11+ format, paper structure by region, scoring, prep strategies and how to find your school's format.
- GL vs CEM comparison table
- How each paper is structured
- Kent, Bucks, Birmingham & regional detail
- Standardised scores explained
- GL vs CEM preparation strategies
Kent 11+ (Kent Test)
Kent 11+ exam and Kent Test explained — 33 grammar schools, GL format, 2026 registration dates, borderline results, school list by area and preparation focus.
- Kent Test format — English, Maths & VR
- Registration dates and process for 2026
- Pass, borderline and not suitable results
- All Kent grammar schools by area
- Kent vs Bucks, Birmingham & Trafford
Buckinghamshire 11+ (Bucks Test)
Buckinghamshire 11+ exam and Bucks Test explained — fully selective county, all four GL subjects, 13 grammar schools, 2026 registration and the unique 13+ transfer route.
- Why Bucks is fully selective
- Bucks Test — English, Maths, VR & NVR
- Registration dates for 2026
- All 13 grammar schools listed
- Bucks vs Kent — NVR and 13+ transfer
Birmingham 11+ (CEM)
Birmingham 11+ exam explained — eight grammar schools, CEM mixed papers, King Edward VI Foundation, 2026 registration and CEM preparation strategy.
- CEM format — mixed papers
- Registration dates for 2026
- All 8 grammar schools listed
- King Edward VI Foundation admissions
- Birmingham vs Warwickshire & Trafford
Warwickshire 11+ (CEM)
Warwickshire 11+ exam explained — five grammar schools, CEM format, geography by town, dual registration with Birmingham and 2026 consortium dates.
- CEM format — same prep as Birmingham
- Registration dates for 2026
- All 5 grammar schools listed
- Geography guide by area
- Warwickshire vs Birmingham dual-area
Trafford 11+ (CEM)
Trafford 11+ exam explained — four grammar schools, CEM without NVR, all mixed, borough priority and 2026 registration for Greater Manchester.
- CEM format — no NVR tested
- Registration dates for 2026
- All 4 grammar schools listed
- Borough priority for residents
- Trafford vs Birmingham & Warwickshire
London 11+ (bespoke)
London 11+ explained — Sutton consortium, Kingston, QE Barnet, bespoke exams, creative writing, score-ranked allocation and the complete school landscape.
- Sutton consortium — 4 schools
- Bespoke exam — not GL or CEM
- Creative writing preparation
- Score-ranked allocation
- London vs Kent, Bucks & CEM areas
Subjects & topics
What children are tested on across English, maths, reasoning and writing.
- English — comprehension & vocabulary
- Maths — arithmetic & problem solving
- Verbal reasoning — types and formats
- Non-verbal reasoning — shapes & patterns
- Creative writing (some schools)
Timeline & registration
When to start 11+ preparation, plus 11+ registration dates and exam dates for Year 6 — from Year 4–5 through results, appeals and the CAF deadline.
- When to start preparing (Year 4–5)
- Registration deadlines by region
- Exam dates (typically Sept–Oct Year 6)
- Results and appeals process
- Secondary school application (31 Oct)
Preparation strategy
How to prepare for the 11+ with a realistic 11+ study schedule and revision plan — resources, mocks, tutoring vs self-study, and managing pressure.
- Building a study schedule
- Recommended books and resources
- Mock exams and practice papers
- Tutor vs self-study approaches
- Managing exam pressure and anxiety
School selection
How to choose a grammar school — shortlisting, grammar school catchment area, open days, ranking the CAF 11+ form, and backup options.
- How to shortlist grammar schools
- Understanding catchment areas
- Open days and school visits
- Ranking preferences on the CAF form
- Backup and independent school options
11+ English (comprehension & writing)
Paper structure, comprehension types, 12 tips, vocabulary, creative writing, grammar and prep plan.
- Comprehension question types
- 12 exam technique tips
- Literary techniques & vocabulary
- Creative writing in 35 minutes
- Bond, CGP and reading lists
11+ Maths (all topics)
11+ maths topics and the full 11 plus maths syllabus — topic deep dives, 11+ maths practice tips, common errors, prep plan and exam technique.
- How 11+ maths differs from school
- Number, FDP, algebra, geometry, data
- Word problems & speed–distance–time
- Ten topics children get wrong
- Resources, mocks and exam technique
Non-verbal reasoning (9 types)
11+ non-verbal reasoning explained — shapes and patterns, NVR 11+ practice, SCSNRPL method, nine question types, tips, prep plan and resources.
- Eight visual properties & SCSNRPL
- Nine core question types explained
- Ten exam tips and common mistakes
- Timed practice (80 questions / 40 mins)
- Spatial games and Bond/CGP resources
Verbal reasoning (all 21 types)
11+ verbal reasoning — all VR question types for the 11+, GL vs CEM differences, 11+ verbal reasoning tips, prep plan and resources.
- What verbal reasoning tests
- GL vs CEM verbal reasoning
- All 21 question types A–U
- Hardest types and common mistakes
- Step-by-step preparation plan
Parent & child support
11+ exam anxiety — supporting your child through the 11+, keeping motivation up, access arrangements, and what to do if the outcome is not what you hoped.
- Managing 11+ exam anxiety at home
- Supporting a child stressed about the 11+
- Keeping motivation up over months
- Special educational needs and access
- What to do if they don't pass