What is the 11 Plus Exam?

Secondary school selection (The eleven plus test. 11+)

The Eleven plus test is a test given to pupils in their last year of primary school (year 6 in England and year 7 in Northern Ireland) and is used as a means to determine whether that pupil is suited to the academic rigours of a grammar school education. In other words will he/she be offered a place in the grammar school of their parent's choice? Since the early 1970s many areas of the United Kingdom have not used the Eleven plus exam and have favoured a comprehensive education system that is non-selective. However, there are still a considerable number of Local Authorities (LAs), Foundation Schools, independent schools and private schools that still admit pupils based on selection by the test known as the Elevenplus exam, usually at age 11.

What Sort of Eleven Plus Test Will My Child Have to Take?

This will vary from LA to LA and from grammar school to grammar school. The eleven plus exam papers will be based on some or all of the following types of questions and it may involve sitting two or even three eleven plus examinations. Sometimes the tests will be of a different kind, e.g. a non-verbal reasoning and a verbal reasoning test and in other cases the tests will be the same e.g. two verbal reasoning tests.

• Verbal Reasoning test
• Non-verbal reasoning tests
• Mathematics tests
• English tests

Verbal Reasoning eleven plus tests

This involves the child thinking about words and text and solving problems, sequences etc. It requires the pupil to have a good grasp of English grammar and a wide vocabulary. Most schools and LAs administer at least one verbal reasoning test.

Non-verbal Reasoning eleven plus tests

Many LAs and independent schools also use non-verbal reasoning tests. This involves the child thinking about pictures and diagrams, and solving problems based on these items, it also makes demands on the child's mathematical capabilities. However it makes less demand on the understanding of written language.

Mathematics and English eleven plus tests

These are used by some LAs and schools, but not to the same extent as verbal reasoning tests and non-verbal reasoning tests. However where they are used you can expect the requirements to be quite high.

Eleven plus exam administration

The LAs or the schools themselves usually carry out all eleven plus exam administration. Contact the school directly or the LA for exact details as these can vary from area to area and sschool to school.selective area.