11 Plus Exam FAQ: Essential Questions Answered for Parents

Every week, I sit down with parents who are completely new to the 11 Plus process. And every week, I get asked the same questions. “What exactly is this exam?” “How hard is it?” “What happens on the day?”

These are brilliant questions. Because you can’t prepare for something you don’t understand.

So let me answer all the questions I hear most often, in plain English, without the jargon. Think of this as your 11 Plus FAQ – everything you need to know to get started.

What Exactly Is the 11 Plus Exam?

Let’s start with the basics.

The 11 Plus is an entrance exam that children take in Year 6 (when they’re 10 or 11 years old) to get into selective secondary schools – mainly grammar schools, but also some independent schools.

It’s called the “11 Plus” because children used to take it after they turned 11. These days, most children actually take it before their 11th birthday, but the name stuck.

Here’s the key thing to understand: the 11 Plus isn’t one single exam. It depends on where you live and which schools you’re applying to.

In Kent, it’s one format. In Bexley, it’s slightly different. In Sutton, there’s a two-stage process. For independent schools, each school might have its own version.

This is why “my friend’s child did the 11 Plus” isn’t always helpful advice – because their 11 Plus might have been completely different from yours.

How Many Questions Are in the 11+ Exam?

This is where it gets tricky, because there’s no single answer.

Typically, children face somewhere between 80 and 120 questions across multiple papers. But it varies hugely.

The Kent Test, for example, has around 100 questions split across two papers. The GL Assessment papers (used in many areas) might have 45-50 questions per section. CEM exams (used in places like Bucks) are structured differently again.

But here’s what matters more than the exact number: the time pressure.

Your child will typically have less than a minute per question. Sometimes as little as 30-40 seconds. This isn’t about testing what they know – it’s about testing how quickly they can apply what they know under pressure.

That’s why time management is such a crucial skill. A child who knows the content but works slowly will struggle. A child who knows the content and can work efficiently will thrive.

When Do the 11 Plus Exams Take Place?

Most 11 Plus grammar school exams take place in the first two to three weeks in September of Year 6, then there is sometimes a Stage 2 exam in October for a small selection of schools such as St Olave’s and the Sutton grammar schools. So your child will have just started their final year of primary school.

Registration usually opens in the spring/summer term of Year 5, with deadlines in June or July. Miss that deadline, and you’ve missed your chance.

This is why you need to start thinking about this early. Ideally, you want to begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5, so your child isn’t cramming at the last minute.

What Happens on Exam Day?

Let me walk you through what your child can expect, because knowing this in advance really helps with nerves.

Before the Exam:
Your child will arrive at a designated test centre – usually a secondary school or sometimes a sports hall. There will be lots of other children there, all looking nervous.

They’ll be checked in, assigned a desk, and given their test papers and answer sheets.

During the Exam:
Your child will sit at an individual desk, usually in a large hall with dozens or hundreds of other children. It can feel quite intimidating.

An invigilator will read out the instructions for each section. They’ll tell them when to start and when to stop. Timing is strict – when time’s up, pens down, no exceptions.

Your child won’t be able to ask questions during the exam (except about things like broken pencils). They need to read the instructions carefully and work independently.

After the Exam:
Once it’s finished, your child hands in their papers and leaves. That’s it. No immediate feedback, no indication of how they did.

Results usually come out in October or November, depending on the area.

How Is It Marked?

This varies, but typically there is:

The Raw Score – the number of questions your child got right

The Age Standardised Score – this adjusts for your child’s age (so a child who’s young for the year isn’t disadvantaged). This is usually what determines whether they pass.

Pass Mark – this varies by area and sometimes by year. In Kent, it’s typically around 320-332 (out of a possible 420). In other areas, it might be different.

Some areas also use a “qualifying score” system where children need to reach a certain threshold to be considered.

The key thing to understand: it’s not about getting 100%. It’s about scoring higher than the pass mark for your area.

Can Your Child Retake The 11+ Exam?

In most areas, no. You get one shot at the 11 Plus for grammar school entry in Year 7.

Some independent schools will let you take their entrance exam in a different year if you don’t pass first time, but grammar school 11 Plus is usually a one-time opportunity.

This is why proper preparation is so important. You don’t get a practice run.

What If My Child Doesn’t Pass?

First, let me be clear: not passing the 11 Plus doesn’t mean your child isn’t bright or won’t succeed. It means they didn’t score high enough on this particular test on this particular day.

Lots of brilliant, successful people didn’t pass the 11 Plus. And lots of children who don’t get into grammar school go on to do brilliantly at other schools.

That said, if your child doesn’t pass, your options include:
– Excellent comprehensive schools in your area
– Independent schools (if that’s financially viable)
– Appeals (though these rarely succeed)

The most important thing is to have a backup plan that you’re genuinely happy with, not just a “plan B” that feels like failure.

How Do You Actually Prepare?

This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it?

Preparation typically involves:

• Learning the content – making sure your child knows all the topics that could come up

• Practising exam technique – learning to work quickly and efficiently under time pressure
• Building confidence – so they can perform at their best on the day
• Regular practice papers – to get used to the format and identify weak areas

Most families use a combination of:
– Practice books and papers
– Online resources
– Tutoring (either group classes or one-to-one)

At Geek School Tutoring, we’ve refined this process over ten years. We know exactly what works. We know which topics come up most often. We know how to build speed without sacrificing accuracy. We know how to turn a nervous Year 5 into a confident Year 6 who’s ready to ace this exam.

That’s why we have a 100% pass rate for Kent, Bexley, and Medway. That’s why our students go on to St. Olave’s, Henrietta Barnett, Dulwich College, and other top schools.

The Bottom Line

The 11 Plus is challenging, but it’s not mysterious. Once you understand what it involves, you can prepare for it properly.

And proper preparation makes all the difference.

Don’t leave it to chance. Don’t assume your child’s school will prepare them (most primary schools don’t have the time or resources). Don’t wait until Year 6 and then panic.

Start early. Get expert help. Give your child the best possible chance.

Book a £5 assessment with us today and let’s talk about your child’s 11 Plus journey. We’ll explain exactly what they’ll face, where they are now, and how we can get them where they need to be. We’ve got centres in Beckenham and Lewisham, plus online tuition available.

Because when you understand the 11 Plus, you can conquer it. And that’s exactly what we help families do.