Introduction
The 11+ exam is one of the most significant academic hurdles in the UK school system – and if you're reading this, you're probably trying to figure out exactly what it involves and whether your child should take it.
This guide covers everything you need to know: what the 11+ actually tests, how it works, which schools use it, how it differs from the ISEB, and what preparation looks like. If you're at the beginning of this process, start here.
What is the 11+ exam?
The 11+ is a selective admissions exam taken by children aged 10 or 11, typically in Year 6 (or sometimes late Year 5). It's used by selective state schools – commonly called grammar schools – and many independent prep and senior schools to assess whether a child is academically suited for entry.
The name comes from the historical age at which children sat it: 11 years old, the point at which they moved from primary to secondary education. The exam tests a mix of core academic skills and reasoning ability, rather than simply testing what a child has memorised from the curriculum.
It's worth being clear on one thing: the 11+ is not one single exam. Different schools and different regions use different tests, set by different exam boards. This can make the process feel confusing at first – but once you understand the two main formats, it becomes much clearer.
Which subjects does the 11+ cover?
Most 11+ exams test some combination of four subjects:
English covers reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation and spelling (SPAG), and often creative writing. Children are expected to analyse texts, identify literary techniques and write with accuracy and flair.
Maths covers the full KS2 curriculum – fractions, percentages, ratio, algebra, shape, data and problem solving. Questions are often presented as word problems that require children to apply concepts rather than simply recall them.
Verbal Reasoning (VR) tests a child's ability to understand and work with language logically. This includes tasks like identifying word patterns, completing analogies, solving letter and word codes, and finding words with similar or opposite meanings. VR is one of the subjects children find most unfamiliar because it's rarely taught explicitly in primary schools.
Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) tests the ability to identify patterns and relationships using shapes, sequences and diagrams – without relying on language. It's designed to measure spatial and abstract thinking ability. Like VR, NVR is rarely covered in the standard primary curriculum.
Not every exam tests all four subjects. Some focus purely on English and Maths; others include all four. The exact combination depends on the school or exam board.
The two main exam formats: GL Assessment and ISEB
GL Assessment
GL Assessment (Granada Learning) is the most widely used 11+ provider. GL tests are used by most grammar schools in England, including those in Kent, Lincolnshire, Buckinghamshire and Birmingham, as well as many independent schools.
GL exams are taken on paper, in a group setting at the school. Children typically sit separate papers for each subject – English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning – across one or more test sessions. Questions are multiple choice, with answers recorded on a separate answer sheet.
Scores are standardised to account for a child's exact age on the day of the test. This means a child who sits the exam earlier in the academic year (and is therefore slightly younger) is not disadvantaged – their raw score is adjusted accordingly. Standardised scores typically range from around 60 to 141, with the average being 100.
ISEB (Independent Schools Examination Board)
ISEB is used primarily by independent prep and senior schools. The ISEB Common Pre-Tests – often called the Pre-Test or Common Entrance assessments – are taken online, usually in Year 6 or Year 7, and cover Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English and Maths.
The key difference from GL is that ISEB assessments are adaptive: the questions adjust in difficulty based on how your child answers. If they get a question right, the next one is harder; if they get it wrong, the next one is slightly easier. This means the test quickly homes in on each child's actual ability level, producing a very precise assessment in a shorter amount of time than a traditional paper exam.
ISEB scores are reported as a standardised score and a percentile rank. Many schools use these scores alongside school-specific assessments, interviews and reports.
Grammar schools vs independent schools – who uses which?
Grammar schools (selective state schools) almost always use GL Assessment tests, administered locally and organised by the local authority or a consortium of schools. Entry is typically for Year 7 (age 11). You apply through the admissions process alongside a standard secondary school application.
Independent senior schools use a mix. Some set their own entrance exams entirely. Many use the ISEB Common Pre-Test as a filter, followed by their own interview or further assessment. Some accept both GL and ISEB scores.
The school's own admissions page will always specify which format they use and what the process looks like. If you're targeting a specific school, this is the first thing to check.
When is the 11+ taken?
For grammar schools using GL Assessment, the exam is typically taken in September or October of Year 6 – earlier than most parents expect. Children who sit it are usually still only 10.
ISEB Pre-Tests are typically taken in Year 6, often between September and January, depending on the school's timetable.
This means preparation generally begins in Year 5 at the latest – and for children targeting highly competitive schools, many families begin structured practice in Year 4.
How is the 11+ scored?
GL Assessment scores are standardised, as described above. Each school sets its own pass mark or qualifying score, and this varies considerably. A score that guarantees a grammar school place in one region may fall short in a more competitive area. The pass mark for a given school in a given year is not always published in advance.
ISEB scores are reported as a standardised score out of 141 and a percentile. Individual schools interpret these differently – some set a minimum score for interview; others use the score as one factor among several.
There is no single "pass mark" for the 11+. What counts as a good score depends entirely on the schools your child is applying to.
Can you resit the 11+?
In most cases, no – at least not for grammar schools. Grammar school entry is usually a one-attempt process per school or per region. Some areas hold a second sitting for children who were absent through illness, but this is not a resit in the traditional sense.
For independent schools using ISEB, the situation varies. Some schools allow a second sitting; others do not. It's worth checking directly with the admissions office of any school you're targeting.
How do you prepare for the 11+?
Preparation falls into two broad categories: building subject knowledge and practising exam technique.
Subject knowledge means ensuring your child is secure in all the KS2 English and Maths content that may appear in the exam. Gaps here – particularly in areas like fractions, percentages or grammar – can cost marks even if a child reasons well.
Exam technique means becoming fluent in the specific question formats used by GL or ISEB. Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning questions have distinct structures that children rarely encounter elsewhere. Familiarity with these formats – through regular, structured practice – is often the difference between a child performing at their ability level and falling short of it.
Many families use a mix of workbooks, past papers and digital practice tools. Apps like HeyKitsu are designed specifically for this – covering all four subjects with adaptive practice that adjusts to your child's level in real time, making it easier to focus effort where it's actually needed. The platform's Whole Curriculum Adaptation means your child isn't stuck drilling topics they've already mastered; instead, it continuously identifies and targets gaps across the entire curriculum.
For most children, 15–20 minutes of daily practice from Year 5 onwards is more effective than cramming intensively in the final weeks.
How competitive is the 11+?
Competitiveness varies significantly by region and school. In parts of Kent or Lincolnshire – where grammar schools are common – a broader range of children sits the exam and competition is less extreme. In areas with just one or two grammar schools, or at the most prestigious independent schools, the process is highly competitive.
The key point is that the 11+ is designed to be challenging, but it is also designed to be prepared for. The skills it tests – especially verbal and non-verbal reasoning – respond well to structured, consistent practice. This is not an exam where natural ability is everything.
What if my child doesn't pass?
The 11+ is one pathway into selective education, not the only measure of a child's ability or future success. Many children who sit the 11+ will not receive grammar or independent school offers – and go on to thrive at excellent non-selective secondary schools.
If your child is sitting the 11+ for grammar school entry, it's worth having an honest conversation early about the range of likely outcomes, and ensuring there are strong non-selective options in your application list. For independent school entry, the 11+ or Pre-Test is typically one part of a broader admissions process that includes school reports and interviews.
Quick reference: 11+ at a glance
GL Assessment
- Format: Paper-based, multiple choice
- Subjects: English, Maths, VR, NVR (varies)
- Typically used by: Grammar schools
- When taken: Sept–Oct, Year 6
- Scoring: Standardised (avg 100)
- Resits: Rarely
ISEB Pre-Test
- Format: Computer-based, adaptive
- Subjects: English, Maths, VR, NVR
- Typically used by: Independent schools
- When taken: Oct–Jan, Year 6
- Scoring: Standardised + percentile
- Resits: Varies by school
Next steps
For parents who want to start structured practice straight away, HeyKitsu offers adaptive practice across all four 11+ subjects, with the first levels free.
The earlier you understand what you're preparing for, the better placed you'll be to prepare for it well.
Written by
HeyKitsu Team