Stage 2 — timed practice
Once the question types feel familiar (Stage 1), practise them against a clock — the closest this site gets to real exam conditions.
In short
A typical 11+ paper is multiple choice, split into timed sections, and tests general reasoning — verbal, mathematical and non-verbal — alongside, in many areas, separate maths and English papers. Total length, exact sections and the qualifying score all vary by exam board and by school. The general advice: answer everything, guess rather than leave a blank, and return to skipped questions if time allows.
This page describes a typical format, not a guaranteed one — always confirm with your own school or local authority.
What the test typically covers
Most 11+ papers are multiple choice and test general reasoning ability across a few areas — verbal reasoning, mathematical thinking, and non-verbal reasoning — not questions with an open-ended written answer. Separate maths and English papers, where used, draw more directly on the school curriculum.
Typical section types
The mix below is a common example, not a fixed or exhaustive list — an exam board or school paper can include other section types, or fewer of these, at its own discretion.
Verbal analogies
What is the link between the words?
Sentence completion
Which words are missing from the sentence?
Word problems
What is the solution to the problem?
Number series
What is the missing number?
Non-verbal reasoning
What is the next shape?
Each section usually has a time allowance of its own, and questions in a section often start easier before mixing in harder ones — easy questions can reappear mid-section too, so it's worth reading each one rather than assuming difficulty only increases.
Format and length
- Almost all questions are multiple choice, marked on an answer sheet or on screen depending on the exam board.
- Total length varies by exam board and by how many subjects are tested — check the timing published for your own area rather than relying on one figure.
- Sat either at the child's own primary school, at the grammar school, or at an external test centre run by the exam board — this varies locally.
- Sitting the state-school 11+ is normally free — some independent-school entrance tests carry their own fee.
The qualifying score
- Each grammar school (or the local authority coordinating admissions) sets its own qualifying standardised score — there is no single national pass mark.
- The qualifying score can change year to year, depending on the number and strength of applicants.
- Some areas run their admissions as test score plus preferences only, with no separate interview; some independent schools add an interview or further assessment on top of the test.
General exam-day tips
- Answer every question in the section, and guess if you're not sure — a sensible default strategy for this format.
- If you don't know the answer, guess rather than leaving a question blank.
- Come back to any questions you skipped if there's time left at the end of the section.
Frequently asked questions
What is the structure of an 11+ paper?
Most 11+ papers are multiple choice and test general reasoning ability — verbal links, mathematical thinking, and non-verbal/spatial reasoning — rather than the school curriculum directly, though maths and English papers do draw on curriculum content. The exact subjects and number of sections vary by exam board and by school.
How many questions are in each section?
This varies by exam board and paper — commonly somewhere around 20-30 questions per section, with time allowed per section rather than for the whole test in one block. Treat any specific number as an example, not a guarantee for your own test.
How long does the test last?
Total time varies by exam board and by how many subjects are tested — commonly somewhere in the region of 45-60 minutes per paper, sometimes split across more than one sitting. Check the exact timing published by your local authority or school rather than relying on a single figure here.
Where does Stage 2 take place?
Depending on the area, either at the child's own primary school, at the grammar school, or at an external test centre run by the exam board.
How do you answer the questions?
Almost always multiple choice, marked on a machine-readable answer sheet or, increasingly, taken on a computer/tablet depending on the exam board.
Is there also an interview, or just the test?
For most state grammar schools, the 11+ score alone (against the school's published admissions criteria) decides eligibility to apply — an interview is unusual. Some independent schools do add an interview or additional assessment; check the individual school's admissions process.
What score is needed to pass?
There is no single national pass mark. Each grammar school, or the local authority coordinating admissions in that area, sets its own qualifying standardised score, and it can change from year to year depending on the number of applicants.
Does the test cost anything?
Sitting the 11+ itself is normally free through the state admissions system. Independent schools' own entrance tests may carry a registration fee — check with the individual school.