Dr Challoner's Grammar School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

Dr Challoner's Grammar School is a leading selective grammar school for boys located in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Established in 1624, it provides education to 1,350+ students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Recognised as one of the best grammar schools in the UK, the academy holds an Ofsted Rating of "Outstanding". Locals often refer to this institution as Dr Challoner's boys grammar school due to its heritage.

Beyond its role as a lead Astra Teaching School Hub, Dr Challoner’s Boys Grammar School builds character through its historic House System and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. Blending personal growth with over 400 years of heritage, it offers a distinctive, forward-thinking education. Rooted in tradition and innovation, the school prepares confident future leaders.

In this guide, I apply 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Dr Challoner's Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar Academy (Boys)
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Boys (Co-educational Sixth Form)
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11–18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1350+
• Dr Challoner's Grammar School GCSE Results (2025): 75% of all entries achieved Grades 9–7, with two-thirds of students securing Grade 7 or higher.
• Dr Challoner's Grammar School A-Level Results (2025): 85.39% achieved Grades A*–B

Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 180
• Exam Board: GL Assessment
• Number of Stages: 1 (Secondary Transfer Test)
• School Catchment Area: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%+ in practice papers (Standardised Qualifying Score is 121)

Navigating the timeline for the 11 plus exam dates 2026 Buckinghamshire cycle requires careful attention. I have compiled the essential Dr Challoner's Grammar School 11 plus exam dates below, including the vital Dr Challoner's Grammar School open day, to help you prepare. This definitive schedule covers the 11 plus exam dates for the Secondary Transfer Test, ensuring your son is ready for the 11+ Exam date.

These dates follow the Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools consortium timeline.

Dr Challoner's Boys Grammar School follows the Buckinghamshire Coordinated Admissions Scheme for Year 7 entry. Admission is strictly determined by the child’s performance in the Secondary Transfer Test.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

The first step in the 11 plus exam process involves registering your son for the entrance assessment. This is a mandatory requirement for all grammar schools in Buckinghamshire.

• Pupils attending Buckinghamshire state primary schools are automatically registered for the 11+ Exam.
  
• Parents of children in independent or out-of-county schools must register manually via the Buckinghamshire Council website.
• The registration window typically opens in May and closes in mid-June 2026.

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The Common Application Form (CAF)

Sitting the test does not constitute an application for a place; you must also submit the CAF. This form is managed by your home Local Authority.

• Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) to your Local Authority by 31 October 2026.
  
• You must name Dr Challoner's as a preference on this form.
  
• Results for eleven plus exams are typically released before this closing date to help guide your choices.
  
• Sibling priority applies; please refer to the Dr Challoner's Grammar School Admissions Policy for specific criteria.
  

The Dr Challoner's Grammar School Catchment Area is the primary factor for prioritizing places among qualified applicants. As detailed in the Dr Challoner's Grammar School Admissions Policy, boys living within this designated zone receive precedence over those outside it.

Distance is measured in a direct "as the crow flies" line from the child’s permanent residence to the school's main entrance. The school utilizes the Local Authority’s geographic data to strictly verify the Dr Challoner's Boys Grammar School Catchment Area.

Families residing outside this zone generally have a lower chance of admission, though this fluctuates annually based on cohort size. Parents must review the specific School catchment area maps before beginning the 11+ exam catchment registration process.

Achieving the required Transfer Score in the 11 plus test is mandatory for all applicants, regardless of their proximity to the school.

The Dr Challoner's Grammar School 11 Plus Test consists of two papers taken on the same day. These papers cover what is in the 11 Plus exam across three main domains: Verbal, Mathematical, and Non-Verbal skills. The raw scores are age-standardised to ensure fairness for all candidates.

As stated in the Dr Challoner's Grammar School Admissions Policy, admission is contingent upon achieving a qualifying score in the Secondary Transfer Test. This examination is administered by the Buckinghamshire grammar schools consortium and is designed to assess the academic potential of pupils seeking entry to Dr Challoner's Boys Grammar School.

The final Secondary Transfer Test Score (STTS) is an aggregate of the standardised scores from both papers. The weighting is heavily skewed towards verbal ability: Verbal Skills contribute 50% to the final score, while Mathematical Skills and Non-Verbal Skills contribute 25% each. A total STTS of 121 or above is required for qualification

Parent’s Top 2 Queries

What exam board does Dr Challoner's Grammar School follow?

GL Assessment (Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools)

How long is the 11+ Exam for Dr Challoner's Grammar School?

Two papers, each approximately 60 minutes including instructions.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The gl assessment 11+ employs a separate machine-readable answer sheet. It is vital that your child marks their answers with a clear, single horizontal line inside the corresponding box, as stray marks or incomplete shading may result in the optical reader failing to register the answer.

To secure a place at Dr Challoner's Boys Grammar School, students must achieve the qualifying score in the Secondary Transfer Test. This assessment is managed centrally by Buckinghamshire Council.

Qualifying Score Details

• Required Score: A Standardised Secondary Transfer Test Score (STTS) of 121 or above.
• Assessment: The 11 plus exam results are age-standardised to ensure fairness.

Meeting this threshold allows consideration under the Dr Challoner's Grammar School Admissions Policy. Ample practice helps students excel in their eleven plus exam.

The Dr Challoner's Boys Grammar School is often the "Gold Standard" for local parents. However, with over 1,400 applicants for roughly 180 places, the competition is severe. Relying on a single school is a high-risk strategy.

I have advised UK parents for over 18 years. I frequently see families left without a place because they focused solely on one option. A balanced list is the only way to mitigate this stress.

My Recommended Strategy

I recommend a portfolio of three Grammar schools and two Private schools. This ensures your son enters an elite learning environment regardless of one exam result.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Families targeting Dr Challoner's typically look towards High Wycombe and Northwood for backups. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives

• The Royal Grammar School (High Wycombe): RGS is the closest academic rival to Dr Challoner’s. It uses the same GL Assessment test, meaning no extra exam preparation is needed. It offers a very similar traditional ethos and history.
  
• John Hampden Grammar School: This is an excellent choice for boys who thrive in a supportive environment. It is slightly less pressured than Dr Challoner's but still achieves strong results. The catchment area is often slightly wider.
  
• Merchant Taylors' School: This is the premier private alternative for high achievers. It is located in nearby Northwood and offers world-class facilities. The admissions process includes a unique General Paper that tests critical thinking.
  
• Chesham Grammar School: Chesham is a fantastic co-educational option. It operates under the same Buckinghamshire Transfer Test system. It is ideal for parents who prefer a mixed environment over single-sex education.
  
• Berkhamsted School: This school offers a "diamond structure" of education. Boys and girls are taught separately from 11 to 16 but mix for Sixth Form. It focuses heavily on holistic development alongside academics.
  

According to the National School Census, competition remains consistently intense at Dr Challoner's Boys Grammar School.

For the last few years, there have been roughly four applications for every available place. With a Pupil Admission Number (PAN) of 180, over 600 students compete annually for a spot.

This high volume confirms that a focused strategy for the eleven plus exam is essential.

Source: National School Census.

Dr Challoner's Grammar School remains consistently oversubscribed, with a 64% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Dr Challoner's Grammar School?

Parents frequently ask me, “Is Dr Challoner's Grammar School hard to get into?” My answer is grounded in experience.

As stated in the Dr Challoner's Grammar School Admissions Policy, the process is rigorous but manageable. With a solid, targeted strategy, this is a winnable challenge.

Read on to understand the two-stage 11+ Exam Format and secure your son’s place.

Dr Challoner's Grammar School is part of the Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools consortium. The school uses the Secondary Transfer Test provided by GL Assessment for its 11+ entrance exam. This test consists of two papers covering Verbal Skills, Mathematical Skills, and Non-Verbal Skills.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the Buckinghamshire 11 plus test past papers reveals a strong emphasis on core mathematical concepts. Number operations and measurements consistently appear as dominant topics in the exam.

This breakdown shows that Numbers and Geometry account for a significant portion of the questions. Students must master these areas to succeed in the 11+ maths papers.

We highly recommend using specific 11+ practice papers designed for the Bucks syllabus. The following resource covers the exact style of questions found in the Dr Challoner's exam.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

The English section within the Bucks 11 plus exam primarily tests comprehension and technical English skills. Our review indicates that vocabulary and spelling are critical components alongside text analysis.

Comprehension questions typically require students to infer meaning from short passages. Technical questions focus heavily on grammar, punctuation, and spelling accuracy.

To prepare effectively, parents should utilise targeted 11 plus english papers. These resources help students become familiar with the specific GL Assessment format used by grammar schools Buckinghamshire.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

11 plus verbal reasoning is a major component of the Dr Challoner's entrance assessment. Key areas include coding, word meanings, and logic-based puzzles.

Our analysis suggests that 'Making Words' and 'Codes' are frequently tested topics. Regular practice with 11 plus test papers is essential to improve speed and accuracy in this section.

Elevate your child's score with our comprehensive verbal reasoning resources. This pack includes detailed answer hints to help master difficult logical patterns.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus non verbal reasoning paper tests a student's ability to solve problems using visual information. Spatial reasoning, particularly 2D and 3D shapes, is a significant focus area.

Questions on 'Odd One Out' and 'Series' appear regularly in the 11plus Bucks exam. Success in this section requires the ability to quickly identify visual patterns and rotations.

Prepare for success with our expert-designed non verbal reasoning test 11 plus materials. These papers provide crucial practice for the spatial reasoning elements of the exam.

Dr Challoner's Grammar School is incredibly competitive, making rigorous preparation essential for your son's success. Sitting a Dr Challoner's Grammar School 11 plus mock exam helps students familiarise themselves with the specific GL Assessment format. These sessions are vital to identify weak areas and refine speed under strict exam conditions.

Since Dr Challoner's Boys Grammar School follows the GL exam board, we suggest these resources:

You can also try our free 11 plus mock test to evaluate your child's current level. Securing an 11 plus mock test Buckinghamshire ensures students handle the pressure of this prestigious school.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 3^rd September 2026 to 16^th October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: 2^nd November 2026 to 18th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: 5^th January 2027 to 12^th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: 22^nd February 2027 to 25^th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: 13^th April 2027 to 28th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: 7^th June 2027 to 16^th​ July 2027

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Dr Challoner's Grammar School Official Website.​