11 Plus Entrance Exam Tuition

Independent senior schools and selective grammar schools use a range of tests for entry to Year 7. Demand significantly outstrips available places at the most competitive schools, and candidates must demonstrate exceptional ability and achievement.

Independent schools’ 11+ entrance exams

Year 7 is a popular entry point at senior schools for girls, at coeducational schools and at senior schools with preparatory departments.

Many independent senior schools assess applicants using the ISEB 11+ Common Entrance exams, while a significant number set their own in-house tests.

Candidates usually sit these exams in the January of Year 6. There are papers in English and Maths, and/or one or both of Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The reasoning papers test ability to understand, interpret and analyse written or visual information to solve problems. There may also be a science paper, and some schools ask candidates to attend an informal interview and/or complete a creative task as part of the selection process.

Selective grammar schools’ 11+ entrance exams

The 11+ exams for selective state grammar schools (often referred to collectively as ’the 11-plus’), are extremely competitive. These are held in the autumn of Year 6, and the exams can vary from school to school. Typically, there are separate tests in English and Maths, and Verbal and/or Non-Verbal Reasoning. Assessment is often split into two stages and only those who do well enough in the first set of tests are invited to sit the second.

13+ entrance ‘pre-tests’

Schools increasingly filter candidates for 13+ entrance with a pre-assessment in Year 6 or Year 7. These ‘pre-tests’, which are similar to 11+ exams, typically include an informal interview and tests in Maths, English and/or Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Many schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Tests, while some set their own test.