Wycombe High School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​Wycombe High School is a leading selective grammar school for girls located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Established in 1901, it provides an exceptional education to 1,300+ students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Recognised among the best grammar schools in the UK, WHS in High Wycombe holds an ofsted rating of "Outstanding". The school is renowned for its vibrant learning environment and excellent academic outcomes.

At WHS High Wycombe, girls experience unparalleled academic and creative innovation. The school serves as a prestigious national teacher training hub for Mathematics and Physics. Furthermore, pupils can broadcast their talents on WycHigh TV News, uniquely celebrated as the UK's only student-led school television channel.

In this guide, I've distilled 6+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Wycombe High School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with ease.

School Details

• Type of School: Academy / Grammar School
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Girls
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11–18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1310+
• Wycombe High School GCSE Results: 67% achieved Grades 9–7 (2025)
• Wycombe High School A-Level Results: 86% achieved Grades A*–B (2025)

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: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: 121

​Planning for the Wycombe High School open day and understanding the timeline is crucial for a stress-free experience. I have outlined the essential Wycombe High School 11 plus exam dates below to help you organize your preparation effectively.

Successfully navigating the grammar school admissions process requires staying ahead of critical deadlines. I have compiled the definitive calendar of 11 plus exam dates for Wycombe High School, ensuring you never miss a step in the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test process. 

From the strict registration window to the final 11+ Exam date, this schedule ensures you are fully prepared for the academic year ahead.

Admissions for WHS High Wycombe are coordinated by the Local Authority, ensuring a streamlined route for families seeking grammar schools in Buckinghamshire.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

The application journey involves specific steps depending on your daughter's current primary school. Parents must adhere strictly to the 11 plus exam process.

• Automatic Registration: Children attending Buckinghamshire state primary schools are automatically registered for the Secondary Transfer Test.
• Partner Schools: Pupils at independent schools or schools outside the county must complete the 11 plus exam registration manually.
• Registration Window: The portal for registration typically opens in early May 2025 and closes in mid-June 2025.
• The Test: The 11+ Exam (Secondary Transfer Test) takes place in September 2025 to determine eligibility.
• Common Application Form (CAF): You must list Wycombe High School on your home Local Authority’s CAF by 31 October 2025.

Please review the official Wycombe High School Admissions Policy for detailed criteria. Families residing in the county should utilize the Buckinghamshire Council Admissions Portal.

As outlined in the Wycombe High School Admissions Policy, residency within the designated zone is a primary oversubscription criterion. The School catchment area is strictly defined by Buckinghamshire Council to prioritise local families.

To be considered for a place, students must first achieve the required score in the 11 plus test. The school measures distance in a direct straight line from the child’s permanent residence.

In the Wycombe High School Catchment Area, priority is given to Looked After Children and siblings. However, WHS High Wycombe frequently offers places to qualified girls living outside this zone.

This 11+ exam catchment system serves the immediate community while often accommodating wider applicants. Parents interested in the WHS High Wycombe Catchment Area should check their specific address on the Council’s website.

As stated in the Wycombe High School Admissions Policy, the school participates in the coordinated admissions scheme managed by Buckinghamshire Council. The Wycombe High School 11 Plus Test (Secondary Transfer Test) is designed to assess a student's suitability for a grammar school education. The test consists of two papers taken on the same day.

Exam Format Details

The scores from both papers are added and age-standardised to ensure fair comparison for children born at different times of the year. This GL assessment format ensures a rigorous check of potential.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

All answers must be marked on a separate machine-readable optical mark recognition (OMR) sheet. You must instruct your child to mark the boxes with a distinct horizontal line, as the computer scans only this sheet and not the question booklet.

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Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Does the school set its own papers?

No,WHS High Wycombe uses the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, which is set by GL Assessment for all Buckinghamshire grammar schools.

What is the qualifying score?

Candidates usually need a standardised score of 121 or above to be considered for admission, though this does not guarantee a place due to oversubscription.

What exam board does Wycombe High School follow?

GL Assessment (Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (Secondary Transfer Test))

How long is the 11+ Exam for Wycombe High School?

Both papers take approximately 60 to 75 minutes each including instructions.

​To be considered for WHS High Wycombe, students must pass the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. The qualifying Secondary Transfer Test Score (STTS) is historically a standardised score of 121.

Qualifying Score Details

• The 11+ GL Assessment pass mark is an aggregate across the verbal, non-verbal and maths papers.
• A score of 121 automatically qualifies the applicant for a grammar school place.
• Higher scores do not give priority; admission relies on oversubscription criteria.

Rigorous practice is essential to ensure your child achieves the required 11 plus exam results.

Wycombe High School (WHS) is a prestigious choice for girls' education in Buckinghamshire. However, with over 1,000 students often qualifying for a limited number of Year 7 places, the competition is remarkably high. As an experienced consultant, I always advise parents to look beyond a single target and build a "3+2" portfolio.

A robust 11+ strategy should include three Grammar options and two Private options. This balanced approach secures an elite academic environment for your daughter, regardless of a single test result. By looking at Wycombe High alongside its peers, you can mitigate the risk of the high-stakes "Secondary Transfer Test."

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When families consider WHS Wycombe High, they typically look at the Buckinghamshire Grammar consortium and local independent powerhouses. Here is how these top-tier alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives

• Dr Challoner’s & Beaconsfield High (State Grammar): These schools use the same Buckinghamshire GL Assessment. This means your daughter's single score can be used to apply for multiple grammar schools within the county.
• Wycombe Abbey (Independent): Frequently ranked as the top girls' boarding school in the UK, it offers world-class facilities. Its two-stage process includes an adaptive ISEB Pre-test and rigorous bespoke papers.
• Aylesbury High School (State Grammar): A superb alternative for those living in the north of the catchment area. It shares the same academic DNA and selective criteria as WHS.
• Pipers Corner School (Independent): This school offers a more holistic "value-added" approach. It is an excellent private backup for parents seeking a less pressured environment that still maintains high A-Level results.

Securing a place at WHS High Wycombe is intensely competitive. According to the National School Census, the school consistently receives a high volume of applications against the Published Admission Number. This creates a challenging ratio, meaning comprehensive preparation is mandatory to ensure your daughter succeeds.

Source: National School Census.

Wycombe High School remains consistently oversubscribed, showing a 48% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Wycombe High School?

Parents frequently ask me, “Is Wycombe High School hard to get into?” given the high academic standards. As stated in the Wycombe High School Admissions Policy, the process is rigorous but manageable. I assure you that with a solid strategy, the eleven plus exam at WHS High Wycombe is a predictable, winnable challenge.

Keep reading to uncover the Secondary Transfer Test format and preparation strategy you need.

​Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of 11+ maths papers for Buckinghamshire schools reveals a distinct topic weighting. Numbers and Geometry account for over half of the expected questions in this competitive entrance test.

Mastering these core areas is essential for success in the Bucks 11 plus exam. The table below outlines the estimated percentage of questions for each topic.

We strongly recommend using our targeted resources to familiarise your daughter with these specific topics. Our 11 plus practice papers help students manage their time effectively during the actual exam.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

Based on our analysis of 11+ english papers, Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary are the most critical sections. These topics assess a student’s ability to infer meaning and understand complex texts.

Proficiency in SPAG is also tested, though it carries slightly less weight than comprehension. Grammar schools Buckinghamshire expect a high standard of literacy from applicants.

To prepare for this rigorous assessment, parents should utilise our comprehensive practice bundles. These resources mimic the style of the 11 plus test papers used in the real exam.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 plus verbal reasoning papers shows that Maths-based puzzles and Word Making are primary focus areas. Collectively, these topics account for approximately 55% of the total marks available.

This section is designed to test a child's logical thinking and potential to learn. Regular practice with 11 plus exam papers is the best way to improve speed and accuracy.

Elevate your child's score with our specialised Verbal Reasoning resources. Many parents find our 11 plus online test for buckinghamshire invaluable for tracking progress.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The non verbal reasoning 11 plus section often challenges students with Odd One Out and Analogy questions. These topics require strong spatial awareness and the ability to identify subtle patterns.

Block Counting and 2D Views of 3D Shapes are also significant components of the test. Success here depends on visualising shapes and rotations accurately.

Prepare for success with our expert-designed NVR practice papers. These materials are essential for mastering the visual puzzles found in 11+ past papers.

​Wycombe High School is notoriously competitive, so consistent practice is vital for securing a place. Sitting an 11 plus mock test helps students understand the exam format and time constraints. Regular 11 plus mock tests highlight weak areas, ensuring your daughter is ready for WHS High Wycombe.

Buckinghamshire grammar schools use GL Assessment for their Secondary Transfer Test. We recommend the following resources to mirror this specific challenge:

Parents can also download our 11 plus mock test papers pdf free to assess their child's initial progress. Booking a specific 11 plus mock test Buckinghamshire ensures candidates are prepared for the local selection process.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Thursday 4^th September 2025 to Friday 24^th October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 3^rd November 2025 to Thursday 18^th December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: Monday 5^th January 2026 to Thursday 12^th February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23^rd February 2026 to Friday 27^th March 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 13^th April 2026 to Friday 22^nd May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 1^st June 2026 to Friday 17^th July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Wycombe High 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 Wycombe High School.

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