Introduction to 11+ Exam
Finding a reliable source for information about 11+ is a difficult task for most parents. PiAcademy, therefore, has come up with this Parents’ 11+ Exam Guide and have tried to cover all the essential information like - What is 11+, How to prepare for it and How the 11+ test works.
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What is 11Plus?
11+ Test
In the UK, most secondary schools are Comprehensive and accept children of all abilities as they are non-selective. In contrast to this, selective state secondary schools still exist in some areas and these selective schools (Grammar Schools) select the students with specific Academic abilities only.
The 11+ Test is for admission to the Grammar Schools (and few Independent schools also in some cases). Children in the last year of their Primary School sit for the 11 Plus test to get a place in year 7 (the first year of Secondary School). The selection criteria for many Grammar Schools is the 11+ test results and for some, it may be other factors e.g. how close you live close from the school or if your other children are already placed in the said school.
11+ Exam Guide - Test Format
The 11 Plus test format varies depending on the School or the Local Authority as well as the education board that sets the test. The two main test providers for 11+ test are ‘GL assessment’ and ‘CEM’. However, in some cases, the Schools administer the setting up of the test papers on their own or by the Consortium of Schools in that area.
There are 4 main subjects for the 11+ test:
- English
- Mathematics
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-verbal Reasoning
Subject wise practise resources:
- 11+ Maths Solved Past Papers
- 11+ English Solved Past Papers
- 11+ Verbal Reasoning papers with Answers
- 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests with Answers
The 11+ test papers by GL assessment can have a separate paper for each subject or may include any combination of all 4 subjects. Although some GL regions now have mixed papers which includes two papers with each one covering more than one subject. Similarly, 11 plus exam papers by the CEM cover Verbal reasoning, Non-Verbal reasoning, mathematics and usually are mixed.
The pattern of the 11+ test usually is either Multiple Choice (MC) or Standard Answer (SA) type. We recommend the Parents to gather all the necessary information like the Local Authority of the School, test provider, exam format, etc before applying to any School.
Board specific 11+ practice papers:
- 11+ GL Maths Papers with Solutions
- GL 11+ English Practice Papers with Answers
- 11Plus Kent Practice Papers
- 11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Papers
- 11+ Maths CEM Test Papers
- CEM 11 plus English Practice Papers
- 11 Plus SET Maths Practice Papers
- SET 11+ English Practice Papers
- CSSE 11 Plus Maths Test Papers
- 11 Plus CSSE English Test Papers
Area Wise 11+ Exam Guide
The 11 Plus test is not the same throughout the UK and does vary area wise. The test categories are as follows:
- 11+ Tests organised by Local Authority
Where the Local Authority administers the test and have their own admission policy.
- 11+ Tests organised by Consortium of schools
In this case the Schools make their own group or Consortium and hold a single test with an agreed admission policy.
- 11+ Tests organised by Individual Schools
Besides the above arrangements, their are Schools which have their own Admission criteria and a separate test of their own
This might get a little confusing for the Parents. So we strongly recommend the Parents to check with the Local authority or the School itself to know which of the above categories they fall in, before applying for the 11+ Test.
11 Plus Exam Guide -Things To Remember
There are a few things the Parents are supposed to keep in mind to prevent any unwanted trouble.
- Admission Rules: Admission Rules of different Grammar Schools falling in different areas are a complicated set sometimes. So the Parents must get a good sense of it before applying.
- Common Application Form: This form has to be filled by Every parent with their child in the Autumn term of year 6 itself. This has to be filled carefully with the preferred list of schools and other necessary information.
- Entrance Test: Entrance tests are the key to entry in year 7 in any school. But as explained above, Entrance tests are not just an easy thing to deal with. Moreover, not just the Grammar schools but some of the Independent schools too have entrance tests of their own.
So it would be better to collect all the information regarding the test like the category of the test, Test syllabus, Test format, Any 11+ familiarisation material provided by the school, day and date of the test, etcetera.
- Research Each School before Applying: Information does no harm, therefore it's always beneficial to know more and more about the Schools that you are likely to Apply in. We suggest a few very basic things to know about the Schools before applying.
- Admission Policy/ Criteria.
- Catchment Area.
- Test Provider
- Whether Past papers or Mock tests are available
PiAcademy Resources
11+ Subject wise Resources:
- 11+ Maths Past Papers
- 11+ English Past Papers Answers
- Verbal Reasoning 11 plus papers
- 11Plus Non Verbal Reasoning Tests
- 11+ SPaG papers with Answers
- 11+ Vocabulary papers with Answers
- Creative Writing 11 plus papers
Region Wise Resources:
- 11+ GL maths papers
- 11+ english practice papers gl assessment
- kent test practice papers
- 11+ buckinghamshire practice papers
- 11+ maths cem practice test papers
- cem 11 plus english practice papers
- set maths practice papers
- SET 11+ english practice papers
- CSSE 11 plus Maths test pdf
- 11 plus CSSE English test papers
11+ Online Mocks:
Grammar & Independent School 11+ Mock
11+ Online Mastery & Intensive Courses
