Everything you need to know about the 11 Plus placement test from testing format to key dates for your calendar.
Author
Mhairi Sim
Published
June 2024
Everything you need to know about the 11 Plus placement test from testing format to key dates for your calendar.
Author
Mhairi Sim
Published
June 2024
Everything you need to know about the 11 Plus placement test from testing format to key dates for your calendar.
Author
Mhairi Sim
Published
June 2024
Key takeaways
Table of contents
If you have a learner who’s heading into Year 6 soon, then chances are you’ve heard about the Eleven Plus Exam! For those taking it, the 11+ can be a pretty big deal as it can determine where they’ll go to secondary school.
In this article, we’ll set out what exactly is covered in each 11 Plus test, what you can do to help your learner prepare, and we’ll even point you in the direction of a helpful 11 Plus forum that’ll tell you more about the exam in your local area!
The 11 Plus Exam is an optional assessment that students may sit at the start of Year 6, usually within the first two weeks of September. This means that despite being called the 11+, a lot of children will be 10 years old when they take the test.
The 11 Plus Exam papers results are used by some secondary schools and grammar schools in England in order to be academically selective in who they admit. Once learners have their results they can apply to schools where they meet the entry requirements.
The Eleven Plus tests can vary between different schools and local authorities with some using tests created by a third party (like GL Assessments) and others creating their own papers. Some areas will use a mix of both of these.
Students can expect to be challenged on what they have learned throughout primary school and even some content they’re yet to cover in Year 6!
The 11 Plus Exam papers are used to assess any combination of four key areas:
There can be a lot of variation across different local authorities and different schools as to what the Eleven Plus Exam will look like. The tests may be administered in a primary school classroom, or some secondary schools may ask candidates to sit the exam at their location.
The 11 Plus papers are usually timed, and each can take anywhere from 45-60 minutes. Again, the number of papers and the time allocated to each can vary depending on where your child is taking their 11 Plus Exam.
As we touched on above, the exams usually assess some combination of the four key areas. Let’s break down what can be tested in each of these key areas.
Non-verbal reasoning: Some learners may find this element of the assessment to be a little more abstract than the rest. The non-verbal reasoning test will challenge learners’ spatial abilities by having them solve problems with visual information, like shapes or patterns.
Students who sit an Eleven Plus Exam will receive a standardised score for each paper they sit. Standardised scores are usually between 70 and 140, but again, these can vary across different areas and schools.
A standardised score table will be used to cross-reference a student’s raw mark (i.e. the number of marks they achieved) with their age. This will then determine their score and eventual Eleven Plus Exam results.
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When preparing your learner for the Eleven Plus Exam, one of the key things is to start early – don’t leave it until just before the exam! Planning some time each day for a little bit of revision is definitely the way to go!
Creating a study schedule that rotates through different topics and aspects of learning is a great place to start. This 10-minute test book bundle is fantastic, as it’ll offer short and targeted practice on each of the key areas, so learners don’t get overwhelmed.
Our DoodleLearning apps are also a fantastic addition to your kiddo’s revision schedule for their 11 Plus test. Our award-winning maths app and English app offer curriculum-aligned games and activities that’ll help boost kids’ confidence and get them excited to learn!
Practice papers are a must for 11+ exam revision as they’re a great way to familiarise students with the format of the test.
While for other exams, like SATs you might look at past papers, 11 Plus Exam past papers are harder to come by. That’s because many schools and local authorities use their own papers or buy from third-party companies.
Some schools might make their 11+ exam past papers available, but the practice papers that are available are just as good. Some of our favourites include:
Ensuring your learners create good study habits and get a few practice papers under their belts before September is a great way to prepare them for this important exam.
Take a look at Eleven Plus Exams for more information on your local area and schools’ admission criteria and chosen examination board. You can also find an 11 Plus Exam forum that’s specifically for your region.
Most children will sit their 11 Plus Exams within the first two weeks of September. The timetable can vary depending on your child’s school or local authority, so it’s best to check with your child’s school for exact dates.
The 11+ exam is an optional exam that students can sit in order to gain entry into academically selective secondary schools.
Students will receive a scaled score between 80 and 120. If their score is 100 or above, this shows that they are right on track and are working at the level they need to be at as they complete Key Stage 2.
No. The SATs are statutory exams that students MUST complete at the end of Year 6. The 11 Plus Exams are optional and are taken at the start of Year 6.
The pass mark for the eleven Plus varies and is set by individual schools or local authorities. This mark would determine if a child was eligible to apply for a place at certain secondary schools or not.
Children usually sit the 11+ exam when they are 10 or 11. This is because the exam is taken at the start of Year 6 and at this point in the school year, many students have not had their 11th birthday yet!
No, only children in England sit the 11+ exam.
In Northern Ireland, students no longer sit an 11 Plus Exam, but instead can take the SEAG (Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group) papers. There is no 11+ exam for students in Scotland or Wales.
Lesson credits
Mhairi Sim
Mhairi is an experienced teacher, freelance writer and parent. After completing her bachelor's degree in Psychology, she graduated as a teacher from the University of Strathclyde. She then built experience teaching across KS1 and KS2 throughout the UK. In addition to working in mainstream education, Mhairi specialised in the additional support needs sector, including social, emotional, and behavioural support.
Mhairi
Mhairi is an experienced teacher, freelance writer and parent. After completing her bachelor's degree in Psychology, she graduated as a teacher from the University of Strathclyde. She then built experience teaching across KS1 and KS2 throughout the UK. In addition to working in mainstream education, Mhairi specialised in the additional support needs sector, including social, emotional, and behavioural support.
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