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

Pate's Grammar School is a leading co-educational selective grammar school located in Cheltenham. Established in 1574, it provides an exceptional education to over 1,200 students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Widely known as one of the best grammar schools in the UK, Pates Grammar fosters a challenging and supportive learning environment. Due to its high standards, the school holds an "Outstanding" Ofsted Rating.

Named the Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year twice (most recently in 2020), Pates Grammar combines academic rigour with its unique Tuesday Afternoon Enrichment programme. This bespoke initiative allows students to explore diverse co-curricular passions, fostering the distinct character traits of the 'Pate’s Learner' profile.

In this guide, I leverage my 6+ year education consultancy background to simplify Pate's Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions for every parent.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Mixed (Co-educational)
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1240+
• Pate's Grammar School GCSE Results (2025): 90% achieved Grade 9-7
• Pate's Grammar School A-Level Results (2025): 77.2% achieved A*-A

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 150
• Exam Board: GL Assessment
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: No
• Sibling Policy: No
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

Successfully navigating the Pate's Grammar School open day and admissions cycle relies on accurate timing. I have compiled the official Pate's Grammar School 11 plus exam dates, ensuring you have the correct 11+ Exam date details to plan your child’s preparation effectively.

These 11 plus exam dates are structured chronologically to support your academic planning.

Parents aiming for grammar schools in Gloucestershire for September 2026 must adhere to strict administrative deadlines. The 11 plus exam process commences well in advance of the academic year.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

The application journey involves two distinct administrative steps: registering for the test and applying for a school place.

11 Plus Exam Registration:

• You must complete the online registration form via the school website to secure a test spot.
• 11 plus exam registration typically opens in May and closes at noon on Friday, 27 June 2025.
• Completion of this form is mandatory for your child to sit the 11+ Exam.
• Please review the official Pate's Grammar School Admissions Policy for precise eligibility criteria.

The Common Application Form (CAF):

• You must submit the CAF to your home Local Authority by 31 October 2025.
• This step is separate from the school registration and confirms your school preferences.
• Residents should apply directly through the Gloucestershire Local Authority Admissions Portal.
• You must name Pates Grammar as a preference on this form to be considered for a place.

​​As stated in the Pate's Grammar School Admissions Policy, Pate's Grammar School does not have a School catchment area.

According to the National School Census, the competition for Pates Grammar is consistently intense. For the last three years (2023–2025), there have been approximately two applications for every single available place. 

This ratio equates to over 300 applicants annually competing for the 150 places available in Year 7. Success in the eleven plus exam is crucial for securing a spot.

Source: National School Census.

Pate's Grammar School remains consistently oversubscribed, with a 53% oversubscription rate in 2025. As stated in the Pate's Grammar School Admissions Policy, comprehensive preparation is key.

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

Parents often ask me, “Is Pate's Grammar School hard to get into?” due to its academic reputation. Based on my experience, despite the competition, success is manageable with a solid, targeted strategy. Keep reading to uncover the 11+ Exam Format and how to secure your child’s place.

As stated in the Pate's Grammar School Admissions Policy, the entrance assessment for September 2026 entry occurs in September 2025. This school belongs to the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools consortium. 

The test is a single-stage process administered by GL Assessment. Candidates sit two papers on the same day. Parents should note that the results are age-standardised to ensure fairness for younger children.

Entrance Assessment Details

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The 11+ GL Assessment uses separate answer sheets that are scanned by a computer. Ensure your child practices marking a clear, horizontal line inside the correct box with an HB pencil, as stray marks or incomplete erasures can lead to lost marks.

Our Practical Tip for Parents

Pates Grammar shares test results with other Gloucestershire grammar schools. You only need to register and sit the test once; submitting multiple applications to different schools does not require multiple exam sittings.

Parent’s Top 2 Queries

Does the school have a catchment area? 

No, priority is given to students living within a specific distance, though high scorers from outside may still gain entry.

Is the exam multiple choice? 

Yes, the Pate's Grammar School 11 Plus Test consists entirely of multiple-choice questions marked by a computer.

What exam board does Pates Grammar follow?

GL Assessment Gloucestershire Grammar Schools.

How long is the 11+ Exam for Pates Grammar?

Two papers are approximately 45 to 50 minutes each.

According to the Pate's Grammar School Admissions Policy, there is no fixed pass mark. Instead, admission relies on the rank order of 11 plus test results.

• Students must meet the qualifying standard to be listed.
• Places are allocated to the top 150 highest scorers.

While Pates Grammar does not have an official cutoff, students achieving 95%+ in PiAcademy’s 11+ Practice Papers are well-prepared to ace the eleven plus exam.

​Pate's Grammar School is widely recognised as the academic pinnacle of Gloucestershire. However, the competition is fierce, with thousands of students vying for roughly 150 places.

I have advised parents in this region for nearly two decades. I consistently see families pin all their hopes on Pate's, only to face disappointment if the qualifying score is missed. To mitigate this risk, you must adopt a multi-school strategy.

I recommend selecting two other grammar schools and two independent schools alongside your application to Pates Grammar. This ensures your child secures an elite education, even if they do not gain a place at their first choice.

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Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Most applicants consider the other Gloucestershire grammar schools as primary backups. For private education, Cheltenham Ladies' College and Cheltenham College are the top local contenders. Here is how they compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives

• The Crypt School (Co-Ed): This is the most direct co-educational alternative to Pate's Grammar School in the area. It focuses on science and maths, offering a similar mixed environment.
• Sir Thomas Rich's & Denmark Road: These single-sex grammars use the exact same GL Assessment test as Pate's. Your child sits one exam for all these schools, reducing stress significantly.
• Cheltenham Ladies' College (CLC): For girls, CLC is the closest academic rival to Pates Grammar in the private sector. It offers world-class facilities and consistently achieves stellar Oxbridge entry rates.
• Cheltenham College: This school provides a holistic education with a strong emphasis on pastoral care. It is an excellent backup for families seeking a co-educational environment with slightly lower entry pressure.

The entrance assessment for Pate's Grammar School is managed by the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools and uses the GL Assessment provider. The test consists of two papers which cover Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and English and Mathematics. Our analysis below breaks down the specific topic weightings you should expect.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths Topics

Our analysis of the Pate's Grammar 11+ exam past papers indicates a standard GL Assessment structure. The questions heavily favour core numerical skills and logical application. This breakdown shows that Number operations and Data Handling are significant portions of the 11+ maths topics.

To master these areas, we strongly recommend using our resources. Our 11+ Maths GL Practice Papers Bundle is specifically designed to mirror the difficulty of the actual exam.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam English Topics

For the English section, the exam focuses on reading accuracy, grammar, and spelling. 11+ english papers in the GL style often test inference skills through short, intense texts. 11 plus english comprehension is a major component, alongside technical spelling and punctuation tasks.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning Topics

Pate's Grammar uses GL Assessment, so 11 plus verbal reasoning is a critical component of the test. Questions often involve code-breaking, word association, and logic puzzles. Practising verbal reasoning 11+ past papers helps students speed up their recognition of these specific patterns.

Elevate your child's score with our comprehensive resources. We offer targeted practice to help students decode complex verbal puzzles quickly.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning Topics

The 11 plus non verbal reasoning section tests spatial awareness and pattern recognition without words. Common question types include matrices, series, and similarities. A reliable non verbal reasoning test 11 plus practice routine is essential for success in this visual section.

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Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Pate's Grammar School?

Our targeted 11+ Practice Papers help students familiarize themselves with the GL Assessment exam pattern well before the test date. We recommend the following resources to ensure comprehensive preparation for all four subject areas.

​Preparing for the Pate's Grammar School 11 plus mock exam is essential given the high competition. Sitting an 11 plus mock test helps students master the specific GL Assessment format. These sessions highlight weak areas and improve speed under timed conditions. Successful candidates for Pates Grammar often practice extensively beforehand.

Parents can assess current progress by trying our free 11 plus mock test. Securing an 11 plus mock test Gloucestershire ensures your child handles the pressure well.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Wednesday 2^nd September 2026 to Friday 23^rd October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 2^nd November 2026 to Friday 18^th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: Tuesday 5^th January 2027 to Friday 12^th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 22^nd February 2027 to Friday 26^th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 12^th April 2027 to Friday 21^st May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 7^th June 2027 to Friday 9^th July 2027

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

Navigating the 11+ grammar school entry requires coordinating with your local authority and understanding specific exam formats. Here are the essential, official resources to help you prepare your application for Pate's Grammar School.

• GL Assessment Familiarisation Materials
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Pate's Grammar School Page
• Pate's Grammar School Ofsted Report
• Gov.UK Find your Local Council Page
• Pate's Grammar School Admissions Policy
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data