The 11+ is a selective entrance exam taken by children aged 10–11 that’s used by grammar schools and some independent schools in England to assess suitability for admission. If you’re new to it, the landscape can seem confusing — different schools use different formats, test different subjects, and set different thresholds. This guide gives you a clear overview of what the 11+ actually is and what you need to know to support your child.
What Does the 11+ Test?
The 11+ typically assesses some combination of four areas:
- English (Verbal Reasoning): Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and the ability to reason with language
- Mathematics: Number, algebra, shape, data — often at a slightly higher level than the standard school curriculum
- Verbal Reasoning: Logical reasoning using language — analogies, word sequences, codes, hidden words
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Spatial and logical reasoning using shapes and patterns (no language involved)
Not all schools test all four. Grammar schools in different counties use different combinations — some focus heavily on verbal reasoning, others are English and maths only. Check your target school’s specific format before beginning preparation.
Who Sets the 11+?
The two main providers are GL Assessment and CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, part of Durham University). Each has a distinct style:
- GL Assessment: More traditional format, uses multiple choice, questions are generally more predictable in style. Lots of preparation materials available.
- CEM: Questions are deliberately varied to reduce the benefit of practice and coaching. Tests vocabulary more extensively. Harder to prepare for in a formulaic way.
Independent schools often set their own exams entirely, which can include creative writing, extended reading comprehension, and higher-level reasoning questions.
When Should Preparation Begin?
There’s no universal answer, but most children begin structured preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5 — roughly 12–18 months before the exam. This timeline allows gradual, non-intensive preparation that builds skills without burning the child out.
Earlier preparation is mainly valuable for reading — children who read widely and broadly from an early age come to the 11+ with vocabulary and comprehension skills that are genuinely hard to build quickly. If your child is in Year 3, the most valuable thing you can do is make reading a daily habit.
What Does the English Component Look Like?
English in the 11+ typically includes reading comprehension — a passage (fiction or non-fiction) followed by questions that test inference, vocabulary in context, writer’s technique, and understanding of explicit and implicit meaning. Some papers also include a short writing task (description or narrative).
Doing well on the English component requires: strong vocabulary, confident reading of unfamiliar texts, the ability to write precisely about language (not just retell the story), and accuracy in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Thorogood English offers specialist 11+ English preparation in small groups — building the reading comprehension, writing, and analytical skills that help children succeed. Join the waiting list for January 2027.
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