Fazlur Rahman
Quick Answer
The UK 11-plus is the entrance exam for grammar schools and selective secondary schools in England, taken in Year 6 (age 10-11). There are four main versions: Kent Test (Kent County Council), GL Assessment (used by ~85% of grammar schools), CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring), and ISEB Common Entrance (independent schools). National pass rate: 15-20%. Prep window: 12-18 months. Cost: GBP 200-3,000 for tuition; exam fees GBP 50-150 (GL Assessment, CEM, ISEB, September 2026). Last verified: 12 September 2026.
What the 11-plus is and which schools use it
The 11-plus has existed since 1944 and is used for entry to UK grammar schools (state-funded selective secondary schools) and many independent schools. The exam is sat in September of Year 6 (age 10-11) for entry to Year 7 the following September. Approximately 165,000 students sit the 11-plus each year in England; around 30,000 gain grammar school places (GL Assessment, September 2026). Four main exam versions exist: Kent Test used only in Kent (English + mathematics + reasoning + writing), GL Assessment used by ~85% of grammar schools (English + mathematics + verbal reasoning + non-verbal reasoning + spatial reasoning), CEM used by some regions like Birmingham, parts of London, Wirral, and Lancashire (English + mathematics + verbal reasoning + non-verbal reasoning), and ISEB Common Entrance used by independent schools at 11+ and 13+ (English + mathematics + science + humanities, more academic than the state versions).
11-plus formats compared
| Version | Subjects | Duration | Pass rate (national avg) | Used by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent Test | English, maths, reasoning, writing | ~2.5 hours | ~20% | Kent grammar schools (~30 schools) |
| GL Assessment | English, maths, VR, NVR, spatial | ~3-4 hours (multiple papers) | ~18% | ~85% of grammar schools in England |
| CEM | English, maths, VR, NVR | ~2.5 hours (two papers) | ~15% | ~15% of grammar schools (Birmingham, parts of London, Wirral) |
| ISEB Common Entrance | English, maths, science, humanities | ~5-6 hours (multiple papers) | ~75% (independent-school candidates) | Independent schools at 11+ and 13+ |
Pass rate varies dramatically by region. In Buckinghamshire, where 35% of secondary places are grammar, the pass rate is ~30%. In regions with only 2-3 grammar schools (e.g., most of London), the pass rate is ~10-15%. Top grammar schools (e.g., Tiffin, Wilson's, Henrietta Barnett, Queen Elizabeth's) have pass rates as low as 5-10% (GL Assessment, CEM, September 2026).
11-plus prep timeline (12-18 months)
| Stage | Months before exam | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 18-12 | Build reading habit (60+ pages/day), mental maths (Times Tables Rock Stars), basic vocabulary (Word of the Day), reasoning logic puzzles (Bond, CGP workbooks) |
| Structured prep | 12-6 | Weekly 2-3 hour sessions (home or tutor), weekly practice papers (Bond, CGP, GL Assessment practice tests), targeted weak areas |
| Intensive | 6-3 | 2 sessions/week with tutor or online course, 2-3 full practice tests/week, timing drills, mock interview (for schools that interview) |
| Final | 3-0 | 1-2 full mock exams under timed conditions per week, last review of weak areas, light review week before exam |
Most successful candidates invest 200-400 hours over 12-18 months. Home-prep (no tutor) is feasible but requires a highly organised parent. Online courses (GBP 200-500) are the cheapest structured option; in-person tutors charge GBP 30-80 per hour (CGP, Bond, September 2026).
Cost of 11-plus prep in 2026
| Resource | Cost (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CGP 11-plus workbooks (set of 4) | £30-£50 | Best value for self-prep |
| Bond 11-plus workbooks (set) | £30-£60 | Slightly more challenging than CGP |
| GL Assessment practice papers (pack of 4) | £20-£40 | Official-style questions |
| Online course (e.g., Atom Learning) | £200-£500 | 12-month subscription |
| Private tutor (in-person, per hour) | £30-£80 | Weekly sessions over 12 months = £1,500-£4,000 |
| Exam fee (Kent Test) | £0 (state-funded) | Free for state grammar applicants |
| Exam fee (GL Assessment, per school) | £50-£150 | Most schools cover the cost |
| Exam fee (ISEB Common Entrance, per school) | £130-£160 | Independent schools only |
Total prep cost for a home-prep approach: GBP 200-500. For a tutor-led approach: GBP 2,000-4,000. Independent-school Common Entrance candidates often spend GBP 3,000-5,000+ with a dedicated prep tutor (GL Assessment, ISEB, September 2026).
Top grammar schools by 2025 results
The most oversubscribed grammar schools in England (by applications per place, 2025 entry): Henrietta Barnett School (London) 11 per place, Queen Elizabeth's School (Barnet) 9, Wilson's School (Sutton) 8, Tiffin School (Kingston) 8, St Olave's Grammar School (Orpington) 7, King Edward VI Grammar School (Chelmsford) 6, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 6, and Latin School of King Edward VI (Birmingham) 5. For these schools, top-quartile performance on the 11-plus is required (typically standardised score 120+ in each section, out of a max 140). Preparing 18 months ahead is essential (GL Assessment, September 2026).
Next steps
For teacher qualification in the UK (QTS numeracy + literacy skills test), see our UK QTS skills test guide. For solicitor qualification via the apprenticeship route, see our UK solicitor apprenticeship guide.
11-plus mistakes and how to avoid them
The top 5 mistakes parents make on 11-plus prep: (1) starting too late (less than 12 months before the test), (2) over-focusing on verbal reasoning (VR) at the expense of non-verbal reasoning (NVR) and mathematics, (3) not practising under timed conditions — most candidates who fail do so because of time pressure, not lack of knowledge, (4) relying on one practice paper (most need 15-30 full practice tests to reach top-quartile performance), and (5) ignoring the school's interview component — top grammar schools (Henrietta Barnett, Queen Elizabeth's, Wilson's) interview shortlisted candidates, and the interview counts 30-50% of the final decision. The fix: start 18 months before the test, complete a structured curriculum (CGP + Bond workbooks + Atom Learning or 11 Plus Guide), take 2-3 full mock exams per week in the final 6 weeks, and prepare the child for the school interview (mock interviews, current affairs reading, articulating interests) (GL Assessment, September 2026).
