The 11 Plus exam is widely recognised as an entrance test for grammar schools and selective independent schools across the UK. However, for those seeking alternatives or comparable exams, there are several other assessments that fulfil similar roles.
These exams often serve as a gateway to selective secondary education, evaluating students on a range of skills and knowledge areas, typically around the end of primary school.
Understanding the various exams comparable to the 11 Plus can help parents and students make informed decisions based on their specific educational needs and aspirations.
Common Entrance Examination (CEE)
One of the most comparable exams to the 11 Plus is the Common Entrance Examination (CEE). This test is primarily used by independent schools in the UK, allowing students to gain entry into these institutions at either 11+ or 13+.
The CEE evaluates a student’s proficiency in subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science, alongside additional subjects like History and Geography for the older age group.
While the 11 Plus is predominantly used for grammar schools, the CEE serves a similar purpose for independent schools, acting as a critical assessment for admission to some of the country’s most prestigious institutions. The 11+ version of the CEE is aimed at children in Year 6, aligning with the same age group targeted by the 11 Plus.
Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT)
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT) is another assessment that bears similarities to the 11 Plus, especially in terms of its focus on reasoning abilities. Many schools across the UK use CATs to assess a student’s potential rather than their attainment, making it a useful tool for measuring underlying cognitive skills such as verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative reasoning.
While the 11 Plus examines specific academic knowledge, particularly in English and Mathematics, the CAT test shifts the focus to broader cognitive abilities, helping schools determine a student’s aptitude for learning. Some schools, both independent and state-funded, use CAT scores as part of their selection criteria, especially when assessing candidates for scholarships or specialised academic programmes.
The Pre-Test
The Pre-Test, often referred to as the ISEB Pre-Test, is commonly used by independent schools as an entrance exam for children aged 10-12. This test is particularly popular among highly competitive schools that use it to shortlist candidates for further rounds of testing or interviews.
Like the 11 Plus, the Pre-Test examines core academic skills, including English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The main difference lies in its computer-based format, which allows schools to administer it remotely or in a more flexible manner.
For many independent schools, especially those with boarding programmes, the Pre-Test is seen as a direct counterpart to the 11 Plus, providing a similar benchmark of a student’s academic ability and potential.
Kent Test
The Kent Test is another examination that serves a similar function to the 11 Plus but is specific to students in the county of Kent. This test is used to determine whether a student is eligible for a place at one of Kent’s selective grammar schools. Like the 11 Plus, the Kent Test includes sections on English, Mathematics, and Reasoning, making it an almost identical assessment in terms of format and content.
The key difference lies in the geographical scope, with the Kent Test being exclusive to students aiming for grammar school admission in the region. However, for families living in Kent, this test serves the same purpose as the 11 Plus in providing access to selective secondary education.
GL and CEM Tests
GL Assessment is a major provider of entrance tests used by selective schools as part of their 11 Plus admissions process. The Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) was also widely used for paper-based 11 Plus testing before withdrawing from the market in 2023.
GL and the former CEM tests covered many of the skills associated with the 11 Plus, including English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Schools that previously used CEM moved to GL Assessment or introduced bespoke entrance tests of their own.
Historically, one of the main differences between the two providers was their approach to testing. CEM tests tended to be more varied and were designed to reduce predictability in question types, while GL tests generally followed a more structured format. Parents should now check the current admissions information for their target school rather than relying on older references to GL or CEM, as testing arrangements can change between admissions years.
Scottish National Standardised Assessments (SNSA)
In Scotland, while there is no direct equivalent to the 11 Plus, the Scottish National Standardised Assessments (SNSA) serve a similar purpose in terms of gauging student progress and aptitude. These assessments, taken by students in primary and secondary school, focus on literacy and numeracy skills.
Although the SNSA is not used for selective school admission in the way that the 11 Plus is, it provides a standardised measure of a student’s abilities, which schools can use to evaluate academic performance. For families in Scotland, these assessments are the closest comparison to the 11 Plus in terms of measuring educational progress, though the system of selective school admission does not exist in the same form as in England.
Birmingham Grammar School Test
Much like the Kent Test, the Birmingham Grammar School Test is used specifically for entry into the region’s grammar schools. Administered by the Consortium of Grammar Schools in Birmingham, this test is designed to identify students who are suitable for selective education in one of Birmingham’s grammar schools.
The exam is highly competitive and covers similar areas as the 11 Plus, including English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. For students and parents in the Birmingham area, this test functions in the same way as the 11 Plus, with successful candidates gaining entry into the city’s top grammar schools.
Summary
While the 11 Plus is one of the most well-known selective school entrance exams in the UK, it is by no means the only one. The Common Entrance Examination, Cognitive Abilities Test, Pre-Test, and region-specific exams like the Kent Test and Birmingham Grammar School Test offer similar pathways into selective secondary education.
Additionally, standardised assessments from providers such as GL Assessment give schools a way to evaluate a student’s readiness for a more challenging academic environment. CEM tests previously served a similar role before CEM withdrew from the paper-based 11 Plus market in 2023. Schools that formerly used CEM moved to GL Assessment or introduced bespoke entrance tests. Understanding the current range of assessments allows families to prepare for the specific format used by their preferred schools.
