Regional Variations of the 11 Plus: Explained

ByJay

The 11 Plus exam, whilst standardised, can vary significantly across different regions of the UK. 

This means that how the test is done and what your child needs to study can change depending on where you live. For example, in some places, there might be more focus on certain subjects or skills than in others.

These regional differences can impact the content, structure, and even the application process and outcomes of the exam.

By understanding these variations:

  • Students can better prepare themselves for the challenges they may face in their region’s exam. 
  • Parents can make informed decisions about their child’s education, such as pursuing grammar school admissions or exploring alternative pathways. 
  • Educators can tailor their support and resources to meet better the needs of students preparing for the exam in their region.

Key Areas Where 11 Plus Regional Variations Occur

Let’s delve into the key areas where regional disparities in the 11 Plus exam occur.

Test Provider or Exam Board

One significant area where variations occur is the test provider or exam board responsible for creating and administering the 11 Plus exam. Test providers can be GL Assessment, FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise), NFER (National Federation for Educational Research), or school-based assessments.

These test providers may have distinct approaches to designing the exam, including the types of questions asked, the format of the test, and the scoring methodology.

Content and Structure

The content and structure of the 11 Plus exam can also vary between regions. Some areas might focus more on subjects like English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, or Non-Verbal Reasoning. How the questions are asked and the difficulty level can also differ, making it important to know what to expect in your area.

Scoring Systems

How the 11 Plus exam is scored can differ depending on your location. Some regions might use a pass-or-fail system, whilst others might rank students based on their scores. Understanding how the scoring works can help students and parents better understand their chances of getting into certain schools.

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11 Plus Exam Variations by Region

When considering the 11 Plus exam, take note of these regions and the things you may need to know about them.

Berkshire

No. of Grammar Schools: 6 grammar schools and 1 partially selective school

Test Provider: GL Assessment

11 Plus Details:

  • Berkshire’s grammar schools are distributed between Reading and Slough.
  • In Slough, Langley Grammar School, Herschel Grammar School, St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School, and Upton Court Grammar School are members of the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools, sharing the same exam and key dates.
  • The exam typically includes verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and numerical questions, with additional assessments such as English and spatial reasoning for Slough schools.
  • Verbal reasoning constitutes about 50% of the marks, making it a significant component.

Buckinghamshire

No. of Grammar Schools: 13 grammar schools

Test Provider: GL Assessment

11 Plus Details:

  • All 13 grammar schools in Buckinghamshire are part of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) consortium. They share the same secondary transfer test (11+) and adhere to common key dates.
  • Primary school children in Buckinghamshire are automatically entered for the 11+ (the Buckinghamshire Transfer Test) unless parents opt out.
  • Children undergo a preparation test as a familiarisation exercise.
  • The official test consists of two papers: Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning (including Maths)

Devon

No. of Grammar Schools: 6 grammar schools and 1 partially selective school

Test Provider: GL Assessment and FSCE

11 Plus Details:

  • Devon’s grammar schools fall under three different admission authorities: Devon County Council, Plymouth, and Torbay. Additionally, there is a bilateral school called The Spires College in Torbay.
  • Most grammar schools in Devon use GL Assessment for their 11 Plus tests, except for Colyton Grammar School, which uses tests provided by FSCE.
  • The FSCE tests used by Colyton Grammar include subjects like maths, English, and creative writing.
  • Torbay Grammar Schools have two test papers covering English and mathematics. Children take the test at their preferred grammar school in Torbay, and the results can be shared with other schools in the area.
  • Plymouth Grammar Schools use two papers: one covering English comprehension and the other covering maths and English.

Dorset

No. of Grammar Schools: 4 grammar schools with two located in Bournemouth and two in Poole

Test Provider: GL Assessment

11 Plus Details:

  • The four grammar schools in Dorset have formed a consortium. 
  • Children only need to sit one 11+ test, which is shared among all four schools in the Consortium.
  • The test consists of three papers: verbal reasoning, English, and maths. All questions are multiple-choice.

Essex

No. of Grammar Schools: 11 grammar schools spread across the county

Test Provider: FSCE

11 Plus Details:

  • Except for Chelmsford County High School for Girls, all other grammar schools in Essex are part of the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).
  • The CSSE includes English and math papers.
  • Beyond the test score, each school has its own admissions criteria, so checking each school’s policy is essential.
  • To register for the selective test, parents must complete a Common Application Form (CAF) and a Supplementary Information Form. These forms can be obtained from the CSSE office or any participating school.

Gloucestershire

No. of Grammar Schools: 7 grammar schools

Test Provider: GL Assessment

11 Plus Details:

  • All seven grammar schools in Gloucestershire use the same testing process for the 11 Plus exam.
  • The 11 Plus test in Gloucestershire consists of verbal ability (comprehension and verbal reasoning), numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning, all in multiple-choice format.
  • Parents applying to Pate’s Grammar School can sit the test at another local grammar school, but they need to inform Pate’s of their preference.

Greater Manchester

No. of Grammar Schools: 7 grammar schools

Test Provider: GL Assessment and In-house

11 Plus Details:

  • Five grammar schools in Greater Manchester, including Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Sale Grammar School, Stretford Grammar School, and Urmston Grammar School, are members of the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium. They share the same 11 Plus exam and key dates.
  • Saint Ambrose College and Loreto Grammar School have their own exams and testing processes.

Hertfordshire

No. of Grammar Schools: 12 or more partially-selective schools

Test Provider: GL Assessment and In-house

11 Plus Details:

  • In South West Hertfordshire, seven schools including Parmiter’s School, Watford Grammar School for Boys, and Watford Grammar School for Girls, form the South West Herts Schools Consortium.
  • The Consortium Test includes mathematics and verbal reasoning. No minimum score is required for admission.
  • Some schools in the Consortium offer places based on musical aptitude.
  • Dame Alice Owen’s School is another partially selective school in Hertfordshire, offering academic and music places.
  • Bushey Meads offers places based on technological aptitude, assessed by a non-verbal reasoning paper, in addition to the Consortium Test.
  • Queens School considers applicants with exceptional sporting ability based on a physical assessment set by the Council of European Physical Fitness.
  • In Barnet and Enfield, there are two grammar schools in Barnet and one in Enfield, each with its own admissions policy and exam format. 

Kent

No. of Grammar Schools: 35 wholly selective grammar schools and 4 partially selective schools

Test Provider: NFER and GL Assessment

11 Plus Details:

  • Kent has the most grammar schools in all regions.
  • The Kent Test, usually a universal assessment in Kent, evaluates verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning skills. It is facilitated by NFER (National Federation for Educational Research) and GL Assessment.
  • Some schools, particularly those in Dover and Folkestone, administer their own tests alongside the Kent Test.
  • Super-selective schools allocate places based on scores, with some imposing geographic boundaries. Other schools prioritise admission based on distance or parish boundaries.

Lancashire and Cumbria

No. of Grammar Schools: 5 grammar schools, four located in Lancashire and one in Cumbria

Test Provider: GL Assessment

11 Plus Details:

  • In Lancashire, the four grammar schools follow the admission criteria outlined in the Lancashire Coordinated Scheme for secondary schools. They share the same test format, covering verbal reasoning, English, and maths.
  • Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Cumbria should refer to Cumbria County Council. It sets questions in verbal and non-verbal reasoning and numerical ability.

Lincolnshire

No. of Grammar Schools: 16 grammar schools

Test Provider: GL Assessment

11 Plus Details:

  • Fifteen of these schools form the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools (LCGS), offering a unified 11 Plus exam on standardised dates.
  • Caistor Grammar School operates independently of the Consortium, conducting its own 11 Plus assessment process.

Medway

No. of Grammar Schools: 6 grammar schools and 1 bilateral school

Test Provider: GL Assessment

11 Plus Details:

  • All six grammar schools in Medway utilise the same 11 Plus exam, commonly called the Medway Test.
  • The Medway Test includes multiple-choice assessments in maths and verbal reasoning, alongside an extended writing task. The assessment also encompasses elements of Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR).
  • Children attending Medway primary schools typically take the 11+ test at their own schools. However, those outside the area or attending primary schools who opted out of administering the test will take it at independent centres.

Merseyside

No. of Grammar Schools: 7 grammar schools

Test Provider: GL Assessment

11 Plus Details:

  • Merseyside hosts six grammar schools in the Wirral area, along with one in Liverpool.
  • Four grammar schools on the Wirral – Calday Grange Grammar School, West Kirby Grammar School, Wirral Grammar School for Boys, and Wirral Grammar School for Girls – use the Wirral Admissions Test.
  • St Anselm’s College (Wirral), Upton Hall School (Wirral), and The Blue Coat School (Liverpool) have their own distinct tests and admissions procedures.

West Midlands

No. of Grammar Schools: 18 grammar schools and 1 bilateral school

Test Provider: GL Assessment

11 Plus Details:

  • In 2023, the West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership was formed, comprising all regional grammar schools. Children applying to any of these schools will undergo a single 11+ exam.
  • The Birmingham Grammar School Consortium consists of eight schools
  • Partnership schools in Shropshire, Walsall, and Wolverhampton include Haberdashers’ Adams, Newport Girls’ High School, Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Queen Mary’s High School, and Wolverhampton Girls’ High School.
  • Warwickshire hosts five grammar schools and one bilateral school, Ashlawn School in Rugby.

Wiltshire

No. of Grammar Schools: 2 grammar schools in Salisbury

Test Provider: GL Assessment

11 Plus Details:

  • Bishop Wordsworth’s School and South Wilts Grammar School each conduct their own 11 Plus test.
  • South Wilts Grammar School offers a practice test a week before the 11+, providing students with a familiarisation opportunity in the actual test environment.

Yorkshire

No. of Grammar Schools: 6 grammar schools

Test Provider: GL Assessment and NFER

11 Plus Details:

  • Yorkshire has six grammar schools spread across three Local Authorities—Calderdale, Kirklees, and North Yorkshire.
  • In Calderdale, the Crossley Heath Grammar School and North Halifax Grammar School test consists of three papers: English, maths, and verbal reasoning, with elements of Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR).
  • For Heckmondwike Grammar School in Kirklees, the entrance exam evaluates reasoning skills in English, mathematics, and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with elements of Spatial Reasoning.
  • In North Yorkshire, Ermysted’s and Ripon Grammar Schools share a common test with variations in subjects covered. Skipton Girls’ High School conducts three multiple-choice tests in English, Mathematics, and Verbal Reasoning, all set by GL Assessment.

Taking the grammar school entrance exam is challenging enough. By preparing diligently and understanding regional variations, students can successfully navigate the 11 Plus exam and pursue their educational aspirations.