Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet is a leading selective grammar school for boys located in High Barnet. Established in 1573, it provides an exceptional education to 1,200+ boys aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Widely known as QE barnet, the school is recognised among the best grammar schools in UK for achieving exceptional academic results. Its Ofsted Rating is consistently "Outstanding".

Named The Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year 2026, QE barnet combines elite academics with its world-leading VEX Robotics society. Students further develop professional skills through the bespoke QE Futures programme and the historic Elizabethan Union debating society.

In this guide, I apply 6+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar School (Academy)
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Boys
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1300+
• Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet GCSE Results (2025): 95.74% achieved Grades 9-7
• Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet A-Level Results (2025): 97.83% achieved A*-B

Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 192
• Exam Board: GL Assessment
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: No
• Sibling Policy: No
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

Planning for the Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet 11 plus exam dates is the first step toward admission success.

I have compiled the essential timeline, including the Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet open day, to ensure you never miss a deadline. Below, you will find every critical 11+ Exam date and the relevant 11 plus exam dates specifically for the upcoming academic cycle.

​Queen Elizabeth’s School operates a highly competitive entrance procedure for Year 7 entry. Understanding the 11 plus exam process is vital for parents aiming for September 2026 admission.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

You must register your son directly with the school to sit the 11+ Exam. This is a mandatory step before applying to the Local Authority.

• Complete the Entrance Test Request Form available on the school website.
• The request form typically opens in May and closes in mid-July 2025.
• As stated in the Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet Admissions Policy, late requests are rarely accepted.
• Timely submission ensures your 11 plus exam registration is successfully processed

The Common Application Form (CAF)

Applying to your Local Authority is the second mandatory step. This occurs after your son sits the entrance tests.

• Submit the CAF via the Pan London eAdmissions System or your home Local Authority portal.
• You must list QE barnet as a named preference on this form.
• The national deadline for submission is 31 October 2025.
• This deadline applies to all grammar schools in Barnet.

Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet does not have a School catchment area, as stated in the Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet Admissions Policy.

As stated in the Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet Admissions Policy, the school conducts a selective entrance examination for boys seeking admission into Year 7. The Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet 11 Plus Test is designed to identify students with the academic potential to thrive in a rigorous grammar school environment. The assessment is a single-stage process where candidates sit two distinct papers on the same day.

The school utilises GL Assessment papers which are widely used by grammar schools across the UK. The English paper tests a candidate's reading fluency and understanding through comprehension passages and technical linguistic knowledge. The Mathematics paper assesses problem-solving abilities based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum. 

Parents should note that the final score is an aggregate of both papers. Unlike some other schools, there is no separate creative writing component; the focus remains strictly on the GL Assessment 11 plus multiple-choice format. 

Parent’s Top 4 Queries

What is the format of the exam?

The examination consists of two papers, one in English and one in Mathematics, both in multiple-choice format.

Does the school use age-standardisation?

Yes, the scores for both papers are standardised and combined to produce a total entrance test score.

What exam board does QE barnet follow?

GL Assessment.

How long is the 11+ Exam for QE barnet?

Paper One and Paper Two are approximately 50 minutes each.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

Candidates must mark their answers on a separate Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet provided during the exam. It is vital that students fill in the lozenges clearly and completely with a pencil, as stray marks or incomplete shading may result in the machine failing to register the answer.

The official qualifying standard stated in the Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet Admissions Policy is a total standardised score of 210. However, admission to QE Barnet is highly competitive, and the actual score required for a seat is typically higher.

• Minimum Standard: 210 standardised score.
• Realistic Target: 230+ based on historical trends.

To secure strong 11 plus test results, consistent preparation is vital. If your child achieves 95%+ in PiAcademy’s Practice Papers, they can confidently ace the eleven plus exam.

Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet is widely considered the gold standard for boys' state education in the UK. However, the admissions process is brutally competitive, with over 3,000 applicants vying for just 180 places annually.

I have guided families through the North London 11+ gauntlet for nearly two decades. Relying solely on QE barnet is a high-risk strategy that often leads to disappointment. I always strongly advise parents to build a balanced portfolio comprising three Grammar schools and two Independent schools.

This strategic approach ensures your son secures a place in an academically rigorous environment, even if he misses the cut for his first choice.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Families targeting Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet typically look towards the Watford and Enfield consortiums for state backups and the Elstree corridor for private options. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to QE Barnet

• Haberdashers' Boys' School (Habs): This is the premier private alternative to QE barnet, located just a few miles away in Elstree. It offers comparable academic rigor but with superior sports facilities and a slightly more holistic pastoral approach.
• The Latymer School: Situated in Edmonton, this mixed grammar school is an excellent choice for parents seeking a high-performing state environment. Since they also use GL Assessment, the preparation for Latymer aligns perfectly with your existing QE barnet revision.
• Dame Alice Owen’s (DAO): Although partially selective, DAO consistently produces exam results that rival full grammar schools. It is highly sought after by North London families who want a co-educational setting with a strong focus on music and science.
• Merchant Taylors' School: For families in Northwood and surrounds, Merchant Taylors’ provides a traditional, character-building education. Their "General Paper" tests critical thinking, making it a great option for boys who are intellectually curious beyond standard rote learning.

According to the National School Census, competition remains intensely high at QE barnet. For the last three years, there have been four to five applications for every single available place.

This volume clearly indicates that a focused approach is necessary for the eleven plus exam. As stated in the Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet Admissions Policy, the pupil admissions number is 180.

Source: National School Census.

Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet remains heavily oversubscribed, with a 150% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet?

Parents frequently ask me, “Is Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet hard to get into?” due to these high numbers. Based on my experience, success is absolutely manageable with a solid, targeted strategy.

Keep reading to uncover the specific exam format and preparation plan you need to secure your son’s place at QE barnet.

Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet represents the pinnacle of academic achievement among state grammar schools. The school's 11+ entrance test is designed to identify boys with exceptional academic potential.

The exam consists of two distinct papers taken on the same day: English and Mathematics. Both papers are set by GL Assessment and are multiple-choice format, requiring speed and high accuracy.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths Topics

Our analysis of 11+ maths papers relevant to QE Barnet shows a strong emphasis on core numerical skills. The test moves rapidly, often requiring students to answer 50 questions in under 50 minutes.

The breakdown below highlights that Number operations and Data Handling are dominant themes in the GL Assessment style papers. Proficiency in these areas is non-negotiable for a passing score.

To succeed, students must practice with high-quality 11 plus exam maths resources. We recommend using our comprehensive topic-wise questions to target weak areas specifically.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet (Maths)?

We highly recommend the GL Assessment Practice Papers bundle. These gl assessment practice papers mirror the format and difficulty level of the actual QE Barnet exam.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English Topics

The English paper for QE Barnet is equally rigorous. Our review of 11+ English papers indicates a heavy focus on reading comprehension and technical accuracy.

11 plus english comprehension tasks usually involve a classic or contemporary fiction extract followed by analytical questions. The remaining section tests spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPAG) intensely.

To master this, regular practice with 11+ english past papers is essential. Students should focus on identifying error patterns in SPAG exercises to improve their scores.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet (English)?

For the best preparation, use resources that specifically target the GL Assessment style. The GL Assessment 11+ practice papers bundle is the gold standard for this school's entry requirements.

Utilising these 11 plus exam papers ensures your child is familiar with the specific question types used by QE Barnet. Consistent practice with 11+ past papers reduces exam anxiety significantly.

Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet is highly competitive, so rigorous preparation is essential. Sitting a Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet 11 plus mock exam helps your son master the format. These tests identify weak areas and improve speed under simulated exam conditions.

Since QE barnet uses GL Assessment, we recommend specific resources to build confidence. You can try our free 11 plus mock test to check his current progress. Finding a specific 11 plus mock test Barnet helps students handle the pressure of this top school.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Wednesday 3 September 2025 to Friday 24 October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 3 November 2025 to Friday 19 December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: Monday 6 January 2026 to Friday 13 February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23 February 2026 to Friday 27 March 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 13 April 2026 to Friday 22 May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 1 June 2026 to Thursday 16 July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet Official Website.