What is the 11 Plus exam?
The 11 Plus exam, also called the Eleven Plus or 11+, is a selective entrance test used in the UK to assess a student’s aptitude and suitability for admission to Grammar Schools. Typically taken by Year 6 students, this competitive exam evaluates skills in areas like English, Maths, Verbal reasoning, and Non-verbal reasoning.
Why Choose Grammar Schools for Your Child?
Grammar Schools are highly selective institutions that offer a challenging academic curriculum designed to foster excellence. By attending a Grammar School, students gain a strong foundation for future academic achievements and career success.
The 11 Plus test, how to prepare for it, how it works, what to expect on exam day and how to succeed are all covered in detail in this comprehensive 11 Plus guide for parents and students.
What Does the 11 Plus Exam Assess?
The 11 Plus exam evaluates a student’s knowledge in core subjects such as English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Why is the 11 Plus Exam Important?
The exam serves as a standardised assessment to determine a student’s aptitude for Grammar School and their potential for academic success. It also provides an opportunity for students to showcase their skills and prepare for the challenges of secondary education.
Who is eligible for the 11 Plus exam 2025?
To sit the 11 Plus exam, students are typically required to be in Year 6 of primary school and residents of the local area where the Grammar School is located. However, eligibility criteria can vary depending on the school and exam board, so it’s essential to check with the specific Grammar School for their requirements.
How can students prepare effectively for the 11 Plus exam?
Effective preparation is key to success in the 11 Plus exam. Many students choose 11 Plus tuition, which offers structured lessons, thorough content coverage, and regular practice tests to build confidence and skill. Parents can opt for online 11 Plus tutors or traditional tutoring academies, depending on what suits their family’s schedule and preferences.
What Does the 11 Plus Syllabus Include?
The 11 Plus curriculum consists of the following subjects, all of which need to be individually passed to qualify for a Grammar School place. Whether students take GL or CEM 11 Plus exams, they must prepare for:
- English
- Maths
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Numerical Reasoning
- Vocabulary
Access the best books for CEM 11 Plus, reflecting the CEM 11 Plus exam format to pass the entrance test for your preferred school. Our 11 Plus exam books for Year 3, Year 4, and Year 5 are the best resources for 11 Plus preparation at home.
Why is Preparation Important for the 11 Plus Exam?
Grammar School preparation is crucial for success in the highly competitive 11 Plus exam. Students need to dedicate time and effort to ensure they cover the complete 11 Plus exam syllabus and perform at their best on exam day. Thorough preparation not only boosts knowledge but also builds confidence, helping students stay calm and focused, giving them the best chance of success.
What are the Best Tips for 11 Plus Exams Preparation 2025
Preparing for the exam requires a strategic approach, proper 11 Plus guide and a clear understanding of the test. Here are some effective 11 Plus tips for success:
- Starting early: The earlier you start preparing, the more time you’ll have to work through the 11 Plus exam syllabus and build your skills. When to start 11 Plus preparation depends on your child’s learning needs, and their current level of ability. However, starting early is usually the best choice.
- Focusing on the subjects: Understanding the 11 Plus exam subjects is crucial to success. So, make sure you understand the format and content of the exam. Get familiarised with 11 Plus English syllabus, Maths syllabus and other sections of the 11 Plus curriculum. Utilise expert-written books for 11 Plus preparation to stay up-to-date with the changes in the format and 2024 11 Plus exam trends.
- Using practice exams: Solving and revising 11 Plus practice exams is an excellent way to build familiarity with the exam format and help you see where to improve. If you can’t afford an 11 Plus tuition centre, solving online 11 Plus exams can significantly help your child build exam skills in the comfort of their home.
- Staying organised: Create a study schedule and stick to it, taking regular breaks and keeping track of your progress.
How to Prepare Your Child for the 11 Plus Exam 2025
Knowing when and how to start 11 Plus preparation is key to helping your child succeed. At 11 Plus Tutoring, we apply proven strategies to ensure effective preparation, including:
- Using study guides: We offer detailed online 11 Plus guides that provide an overview of the exam format and content and can help you understand what to expect. Read our CEM guide and GL Assessment guide to learn what exam papers and questions you will have to prepare for.
- Practising problem-solving: Our expert online 11 Plus tutors enable students to practise 11 Plus Maths problems, especially those likely to appear on the exam, to help build your problem-solving skills.
- Seeking assistance: Consider seeking 11 Plus help from Grammar School tutors who can help your child prepare and improve performance through the 11 Plus exam tuition using the best resources.
- Building your vocabulary: Building 11 Plus vocabulary: Developing your child’s 11 Plus vocabulary is crucial for success on the entrance exam, as many questions require a good understanding of the language.
Do you know the difference between the GL Assessment and CEM exam boards and how they prepare the 11 Plus papers? Let’s find out!
What are the 11 Plus Exam Boards?
GL Assessment
GL Assessment develops and administers 11 Plus Grammar School exams covering English, maths, verbal, and non-verbal reasoning.
CEM
CEM (Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring) offers 11 Plus exams in verbal, non-verbal, and numerical reasoning.
What are the best resources for 11 Plus preparation?
There are many resources available to help students and their parents understand how to prepare for the 11 Plus exam, including:
- 11 Plus guides to provide students with offline and online 11 Plus guides, giving an overview of the exam format and content.
- Online resources that offer 11 Plus tests practice exams, tips, and 11 Plus mock test papers, to help students.
- Expert 11 Plus tutors with years of experience to help students with specific areas they are struggling with and provide additional practice opportunities.
- Books for 11 Plus exams preparation are available at 11 Plus Tutoring to help students prepare for the entrance exam, including study guides, 11 Plus papers, worksheets and practice exam booklets.
How is the 11 Plus exam scored?
The 11 Plus scoring system varies based on the exam type and the Grammar School. Most exams use a standardised point system, where higher scores reflect greater ability. These scores determine eligibility for admission to selective schools.
Key points to understand:
- GL vs CEM Scoring: Familiarise yourself with the differences between these two common exam boards.
- Target Scores: Know the required marks for your preferred Grammar School to ensure your child meets the admission criteria.
Understanding the scoring system helps parents and students set clear goals and prepare effectively for success.
What are the Best Tips for 11 Plus Exam Day?
As with any standardised test, preparation is key to success on the 11 Plus entrance exam. Here’s how to prepare for the Grammar School test on the exam day.
- Get a good and sound sleep the night before the exam.
- Eat a nutritious breakfast to help you stay focused and alert during the exam.
- Arrive at the testing centre at least 30 minutes before the start of the exam.
- Bring all necessary materials, such as a photo ID and admission ticket.
- Stay calm and focused throughout the exam.
- Read each question and all instructions carefully before answering.
- Use all of the time given to answer each question thoroughly and accurately.
Try 11 Plus Tutoring For Free
You can join us in free trial lessons to experience and use our 11 Plus resources without any signup obligation!
What are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing For the 11 Plus Exam 2025?
Avoiding common mistakes during 11 Plus preparation can significantly improve a student’s performance. Some common mistakes include the following:
- Inadequate Preparation: Lack of familiarity with the exam format and insufficient study can lead to underperformance.
- Ignoring Instructions: Not reading and following instructions carefully may result in lost marks.
- Rushing Through Questions: Skimming questions or rushing answers can lead to avoidable errors.
- Poor Time Management: Failing to allocate time effectively for each section can leave questions unanswered.
- Skipping Review: Not double-checking answers increases the risk of missing simple mistakes.
- Stress and Anxiety: Nervousness on exam day can hinder focus and performance.
- Lack of Practice: Irregular practice can leave students unprepared for the test format, speed, and accuracy required.
Avoiding these common mistakes can help ensure a successful outcome on the 11 Plus entrance exam.
Commonly Asked Questions About 11 Plus Exam
Students aged 11 in their last year of primary school take the 11 Plus test.
No, Grammar Schools are state-funded and free to attend, though there may be costs for uniforms and activities.
The application process to register for the 11 Plus exam for the 2026 intake would generally follow a similar timeline to previous years:
- Application Start: Registration typically opens in May or June 2025.
- Application Deadline: The application deadline is usually in September 2025, typically within the first two weeks of the month.
- Exam Dates: The 11 Plus exams are usually scheduled for September or October 2025, but some areas may hold them in early November 2025.
The 11 Plus exam for the 2025 intake is typically held in September or October 2025, with 11+ exam dates varying by region, including early September for many schools and October for some areas like Kent and London.
If your child fails the 11 Plus entry test, you can still try Grammar School admission through late transfer tests called 12 Plus and 13 Plus.
The 11 Plus Grammar School transfer test is usually taken in September.
The 11 Plus exam usually takes around two to three hours to complete, with each paper lasting approximately 45 – 60 minutes.
Again, it depends on a child’s ability. Still, we recommend you start preparing your child for this competitive 11 Plus exam as early as possible, ideally from Year 3.
The 11 Plus Maths format varies for different Grammar Schools, depending on the structure. Call our experts or book a free consultation session for guidance. For comprehensive Maths preparation, start free learning with a 11 Plus Maths tutor online.
Let Us Help Your Child Prepare for the 11 Plus!
Our 11 Plus tutoring provides expert Grammar School exam preparation for your child. During our online sessions, a tutor will guide your child on all the key areas! Access unlimited 11 Plus exam papers with answers for free to practise the 11+ exam questions for CEM entrance exam and GL Assessment.
With the added benefit of interactive one-to-one lessons, students can directly ask questions from their tutors. Contact us today to give your child a brighter future with 11 Plus success. We are currently offering 11 Plus Preparation Year 3, 11 Plus Preparation Year 4, and 11 Plus Preparation Year 5 courses.