11+ Independent 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 independent schools are near London?

Here is a list of some of the independent schools in or around London:

What are the 11+ Examinations for Independent Secondary Schools?

The 11+ examinations are examinations that your child may take in year 6 for entry into an independent secondary school.

The examinations are usually from November to February when your child is in year 6. If your child passes the exams for the specific school, they may then be called in for an interview. Some schools interview all the children who sit the examinations, and some schools interview the children before the written examinations.

Schools vary in the type of examination they set. In some cases, schools have joined together to create a consortium which means that a group of schools will have the same examination paper.

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.

What is tested?

The content varies from school to school, but on the whole, the testing will include English and maths and with some schools choosing to test verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Schools are often changing their examination process so ensure you check the latest information.

What are the different examining boards?

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

It is a good idea to check which examining board the school that you are interested in uses, so that you can prepare your child accordingly. 

How can Bright Light Education help?

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