A Must-Read Guide to the 11+
Do you have a child that’s due to take the 11 plus exam? We have gathered some of the commonly asked questions about 11+ to help you.
What is the 11 plus exam?
11+ exam is a test taken by Year 6 students in their primary schools in England — just before they enter Year 7. The purpose of the test is to determine if a student has a high academic potential to be transferred into grammar schools to continue their secondary education.
The 11+ exam will also measure whether the student should attend a grammar school, a secondary modern school, or a technical school. Also known as the transfer test, 11+ exam is associated with the Tripartite System (an arrange of state-funded secondary education from 1945 to the 1970s in England and Wales). The core of the Tripartite System is that skills are more important than one’s financial capabilities. The system would determine what kind of schooling a child deserves; different skills require different schooling.
The intention of 11+ was that putting a student to a general test similar to an IQ test. Now, the test also measures one’s suitability for school work.
What is grammar school?
As discussed already, the intention of the 11+ exam is to determine if a student is fit to enter a grammar school. But what exactly is a grammar school?
The BBC defined grammar school as “state secondary schools that select their pupils by means of an examination taken by children at age 11, known as the ‘11-plus’”.
Grammar schools exist since the 16th century, but the concept of the modern grammar school dates back to the Education Act 1944. Secondary education was reorganised into two types:
- Grammar schools – focused on academic studies. Pupils of grammar schools are assumed to pursue higher education.
- Secondary modern schools – Intended for students who would be attending trades.
The third type of school is the technical school, but very few technical schools were established. Grammar schools select their students by means of a test, that is, the 11+ test. The test is designed to see if a student is able to learn in a grammar school environment with peers of similar intellectual capabilities. Wales and Scotland no longer have grammar schools.
Why do you need 11 plus?
If you want your child to enter a grammar school, then they have to sit for the 11+ exam. Grammar schools require their applicants to achieve a qualifying score to the 11+ before they would accept them for another entrance exam that is set by the school.
Is 11 plus mandatory?
It’s not compulsory for students to take the 11+ exam. It’s up to you whether you decide to apply to a grammar school or not. In some areas (such as Buckinghamshire), students are automatically registered for the 11+, but parents may choose to withdraw their child to take the exam.
Do all students need to take the 11 plus?
Students who wish to attend a grammar school for Year 7 are required to take the 11 plus exam. But then again, it is not obligatory. Parents and their children may choose whether to take the test or not.
Where can I find out more about 11 plus?
There are various guides online which are focused on helping parents understand the 11 plus in more detail. It’s worth consulting with your school to see what exam board your child will be using.
These are the areas that still have grammar schools:
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cheshire
- Cumbria
- Devon
- Dorset
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Hertfordshire
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Lincolnshire
- London
- Manchester
- Middlesex
- Shropshire
- Surrey
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
Check out the top grammar schools in London for the 11+ in this blog post.
What does 11 plus test? What’s in it?
The elements of the exam vary among grammar schools, but these are the subjects the test usually focuses on:
- Mathematics – numerical reasoning and basic math tests, including math concepts, problem-solving, and mental maths to be solved in multiple stages.
- English – creative writing skills, comprehension, punctuation, and grammar
- Verbal reasoning – these are problem-solving questions and following sequences to do with texts and words. Verbal reasoning will measure the applicant’s grammar and vocabulary.
- Non-verbal reasoning – these are questions based on diagrams, pictures, and some element of maths.
Here are some 11+ questions from a sample test. Would you get into grammar school?
What is the passing score for 11+?
The pass mark depends on where your child has taken the 11+. The average score is 100. A score higher than that would mean your child has the potential to enter the grammar school. In cases where there is over-subscription in a grammar school, they will use a set of criteria to filter the applicants.
Henrietta Barnett School, for example, gives priority to students who are or have been in looked after care, eligible for Pupil Premium Funding, and candidate ranked according to 11 plus exam results, respectively.
How long does the 11+ exam take?
The exam format differs from school to school. Some grammar schools divide the test into two rounds. The students are usually timed 45 to 60 minutes to complete each round.
The tests are usually in multiple-choice. However, English exams usually consist of creative writing test. Maths questions also require computation that may consume a lot of time.
Is the 11+ exam hard?
Grammar schools are pretty picky. They usually have limited places available each year, so they make sure they get to pick the students that have higher potential than the others. The competition is also tough since most grammar schools experience over-subscription.
So it’s vital to prepare for the 11+. A home tutor can help children prepare for the 11+ exam.
When do you sit for the 11+?
Testing day depends on where you are located, but the exam usually takes place in September of your child’s final primary school year.
When do 11 plus results come out?
11+ exams that take place in September, the results are usually declared within a month or two. Grammar schools usually announce the exact date that they will release the results. Make sure to check out your school’s official website for announcements. Most schools release the results in October to give parents some time to apply their child to secondary schools.
