11+ Grammar School Exams Explained

Choosing the right school

Choosing the best secondary school for your son or daughter can be one of the most important decisions that you have to make as a parent. 

Bright Light Education can help make this transition from primary to secondary school as smooth as possible.

What grammar schools are there near London?

Here is a list of some of the grammar schools around London:

What are 11+ Grammar School Examinations?

The 11+ grammar school examinations are the assessments taken in order to gain entrance into grammar schools. Grammar schools are highly selective state schools around the country and they are incredibly competitive. Some grammar schools have as many as 1,500 students applying for only 200 spaces. Many grammar schools choose students based on a pass mark of the examination followed by proximity to the school. Applications to grammar schools are usually in Year 5.

What is tested?

 Grammar school exams often include maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

It is important to look at the entry requirements for each school as the content of the papers varies from school to school.

When do the examinations take place?

The examinations usually take place during the autumn term of Year 6 for entry into year 7 the following September.

What are the different examining boards?

GL Assessment and ISEB are the main examining boards for the 11+ examinations 

There are not usually past papers available but some schools share a familiarisation booklet which shows the format of the exam.

Your child’s primary school may do some preparation for these examinations but often parents choose to have their child tutored to extend the learning done in the classroom and to ensure that their child feels confident and well-prepared in all areas.

How can Bright Light Education help?

The 11+ examinations for grammar school are incredibly competitive and we can help guide your child through the key skills they need in order to reach their full potential during the exams. We aim to boost confidence and self-esteem to give them the best chance of passing their exams.