11+ preparation — full guide and free practice
Everything to know about the 11+: who sits it, roughly when, what it typically covers, and how to prepare sensibly. Further down the page — free familiarisation with the question formats and timed practice, in line with widely shared guidance against over-coaching.
Free · no sign-up · general information, not advice for one specific school or area
In short
The 11+ is sat by Year 6 children applying for a grammar-school or selective place, in areas where they exist. This site treats preparation in two stages: Stage 1 (light familiarisation with the question types) and Stage 2 (timed practice). It isn't compulsory, and there's no single national fee, format or pass mark — exact details are set locally. Most guidance favours brief, honest preparation over years of intensive coaching — and that's exactly what this page offers, for free.
What the 11+ is
The 11+ is the entrance test used by grammar schools and some selective independent schools in England to decide admission for Year 7. It's sat by children in Year 6, and this site's preparation splits into two stages:
- Stage 1 — familiarisation: getting comfortable with the question types (verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, English) without timed pressure — who sits the test, roughly when, and what it generally covers.
- Stage 2 — timed practice: practising the same question types against a clock, once the format feels familiar — a typical section breakdown, general exam-day tips, and what to expect.
Thinking ahead of Year 6? See early preparation for Years 3-5.
⚠️ Worth knowing — the 11+ isn't the same everywhere
Whether children sit an 11+ at all, which subjects and exam board are used, and what score qualifies all depend on where you live and which school you're applying to. Always confirm the specifics with your own local authority or grammar school rather than relying on general guidance alone.
⚠️ Worth knowing — on 11+ preparation
A common concern among educators is that long, expensive tutoring programmes can advantage children whose families can afford them, rather than measuring a child's own reasoning ability — which is part of why some schools and exam boards actively discourage heavy coaching.
In line with that, this site is not a "guaranteed prep course" and doesn't promise to improve a child's chances. We offer what most guidance treats as reasonable: familiarity with the question formats, some timed practice, and light enrichment — all free.
Detailed guides
Stage 1 — familiarisation
What the 11+ is, who sits it, and roughly when
Read more ←Stage 2 — timed practice
Typical format, sections, and general exam-day tips
Read more ←Early preparation (Years 3-5)
What actually helps before the Year 6 test year
Read more ←Parents' guide
The wider timeline, access arrangements, and appeals
Read more ←Practice tools
7 ready-made tests
Instead of random practice — 7 full, fixed tests, 50 questions each across 5 sections in a typical order. Every test is identical each time you open it, so you can return to it or print it — with or without a timer.
Free practice — get familiar with the question formats
Original questions, inspired by typical 11+ section types — not questions from any real exam. The goal is familiarity with the question formats, not "training for a score". The England item bank is still being written — practice items are coming soon for most categories below.
Frequently asked questions
Does a child need to prepare for the 11+?
Views vary by area and school, but a common thread in the guidance is that heavy, long-running coaching risks measuring the coaching rather than the child's own reasoning, and can add unnecessary pressure. Light familiarisation with the question formats, plus some timed practice closer to the test, is a widely suggested middle ground — which is exactly what this site's free practice offers, not a "guaranteed prep course".
Who sits the 11+?
Children in Year 6 (age 10-11) applying for a grammar-school or selective place, in areas where such schools exist. Whether it applies to your family depends entirely on where you live.
When is the 11+ usually sat?
Most commonly early in Year 6 (often September), ahead of the national 31 October secondary-admissions deadline — but the exact date is set locally, so check your own local authority's or school's published timetable.
What does the test cover?
Typically some mix of verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths and English — the exact subjects, exam board, and paper length are set locally, not nationally.
What score is needed to qualify?
There is no single national pass mark. Each grammar school, or the local authority coordinating admissions, sets its own qualifying standardised score, and it can change year to year.
Is there an interview as well as the test?
For most state grammar schools, no — the test score against the school's published criteria decides eligibility. Some independent schools add an interview or further assessment; check the individual school.
Can a child resit the 11+?
This varies by area and by school — some allow a resit in specific circumstances (such as illness on the original test day), others don't. There's no single national resit policy, so check with your local authority or school directly.
Does the test cost anything?
Sitting the state-school 11+ is normally free. Some independent schools charge a registration fee for their own entrance tests — check with the individual school.
What happens if a child is unwell on test day?
Don't send an unwell child to sit the test — contact the school or local authority as soon as possible; most offer an alternative sitting or special consideration.
Are there accommodations for children with additional needs?
Generally yes — access arrangements such as extra time are commonly available for children with a diagnosed learning difficulty, attention or communication need, or physical/health condition, similar to exam access arrangements more broadly. The exact process varies by exam board and local authority; see the parents' guide.
Where can I find official information for my own area?
Your local authority's school admissions pages, and the admissions page of the specific grammar school(s) you're applying to, are the most reliable sources — this site's guide is general background, not a substitute for that.
Keep exploring
This page is about 11+ entrance-test preparation. The site also has general reasoning-style practice simulations separate from the 11+ section.