When is the 11 Plus Exam? [2024 Guide]

If you’re a parent of primary children in the UK, you may already be thinking about the 11+ exam, an important milestone in your child’s educational journey. 

To help you navigate this crucial process for the year 2024-2025, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on what to expect, when to register, and other important dates.

Overview of the 11 Plus Exam and Grammar Schools

The 11+ exam is typically taken by students at the beginning of Year 6 in primary or prep schools. This selective entrance exam generally is the gateway to gaining admission to grammar schools in England and some fee-paying independent schools. 

Grammar schools are state-funded secondary schools known for their strong emphasis on academic achievement, with 164 of them scattered across 36 English local authorities and 69 in Northern Ireland.

It’s worth noting that there are no grammar schools in Wales or Scotland, so the 11+ is primarily taken in certain parts of England and Northern Ireland.

Timeline for the 11 Plus Exam Process 2024-2025

For students and parents considering the 11+, it’s important to be aware of the key dates and processes of the exam.

Let’s walk through the dates and processes involved in this academic journey.

April or May 2024 to June or July 2024: 11 Plus Registration

In April or May, most grammar schools open their 11+ registration. Parents are responsible for submitting the school’s 11+ Application Form for their children.

Complete the online application form before the specified cutoff date, typically around June to July. 

Early September 2024: Opening of Secondary School Places Application

In addition to registering for the 11+ exam, you’ll need to complete your Local Authority’s secondary school online form known as the Common Application Form (CAF).

This form is equally important as the grammar school application form. Not filling it out could result in your child passing the tests, but not being placed at the available grammar school.

September 2024: 11 Plus Examination

The 11+ exam takes place during the first two weeks of September 2024. However, specific dates may vary depending on the school.

GL Assessment and CEM administer the 11+ in various regions, using subjects like English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-verbal Reasoning.

October 2024: Release of Test Results

Typically, 11+ results are posted in mid-October 2024. The content of the results letter may vary, including information about your child’s likelihood of gaining a place or a pass or fail status.

31st October 2024: Deadline to Apply for School Places

After the 11+ exam and result release, you’ll have a short window to complete and submit the CAF, specifying your choices for both grammar and other state secondary schools.

Late registrations are generally not accepted, so staying informed about your council’s deadlines is critical.

1st March 2025: National Offer Day

The local authority determines the allocation of secondary school places, and this information is revealed to parents on the 1st of March 2025, known as National Offer Day. Details about your child’s placement will be sent via post or email.

Key Dates and Events per Region and Grammar School

East England

Essex

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• May 2024 to June 2024 – CSSE grammar schools
• April 2024 to June 2024 – Chelmsford County High School

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date  

• September 2024 – CSSE grammar schools
• September 2024 – Chelmsford County High School

Release of Test Results 

• October 2024 – all Essex schools

Hertfordshire

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• May 2024 to June 2024 – South West Herts Consortium
• May 2024 to June 2024- Dame Alice Owen’s School

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – South West Herts aptitude test
• September 2024 -Dame Alice Owen’s School entrance exam
• September 2024 – Queens’ school sports aptitude test 

Release of Test Results

• October 2024 – South West Herts Consortium
• To be advised – Dame Alice Owen’s School

East Midlands

Lincolnshire

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• January 2024 to March 2024 – Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools
• March 2024 to August 2024 – Caistor Grammar School

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – Lincolnshire Consortium verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning exam
• September 2024 – Caistor Grammar School standard verbal reasoning and multiple-choice verbal reasoning

Release of Test Results

• October 2024 – Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools
• October 2024 – Caistor Grammar School

Greater London

Barnet

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• April 2024 to mid-July 2024 – The Henrietta Barnett School
• To be advised – St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School
• To be advised – Queen Elizabeth’s School

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – The Henrietta Barnett School
• September 2024 – St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School
• September 2024 – Queen Elizabeth’s School

Release of Exam Results

• Mid-October 2024 – all Barnet grammar schools

Bexley

Bexley Selection Test Registration 

• May 2024 to June 2024 – all Bexley grammar schools

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

Bexley Selection Test Date

• September 2024 – all Bexley grammar schools

Release of ExamResults

• October 2024 – all Bexley grammar schools

Bromley

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• 10 June 2024 to 1 July 2024 – St Olave’s Grammar School 
• To be advised – Newstead Wood School 

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• 20 September 2024 – St Olave’s Grammar School (Stage 1)
• 15 November 2024 – St Olave’s Grammar School (Stage 2)
• To be advised – Newstead Wood School 

Release of Exam Results

• October 2024 – all Bromley grammar schools

Enfield

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• May 2024 to June 2024 – The Latymer School 

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – The Latymer School

Release of Exam Results

• Mid-October 2024 – The Latymer School

Kingston-upon-Thames

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• June 2024 to September 2024 – Tiffin Schools (School for Girls and School for Boys)

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• October or November 2024 – Tiffin Schools (School for Girls and School for Boys)

Release of Exam Results

• October 2024 – Tiffin Schools (School for Girls and School for Boys)

Redbridge

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• May 2024 to June 2024 – Ilford County High School and Woodford County High School

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – Ilford County High and Woodford County High

Release of Exam Results

• Mid-October 2024 – Ilford County High and Woodford County High

Sutton

Selective Eligibility Test Registration 

• 1 May 2024 – Sutton Grammar School
• To be advised – Other grammar schools in Sutton

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

Selective Eligibility Test Date

• 17 September 2024 – Sutton Grammar School
• To be advised – Other grammar schools in Sutton

Release of Exam Results

• Mid-October 2024 – all Sutton grammar schools

Wandsworth

Wandsworth Test Registration 

• June 2024 to September 2024 – all Wandsworth partially selective secondary schools

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

Wandsworth Test Date

• September 2024 – all Wandsworth partially selective secondary schools

Release of Exam Results

• October 2024 – all Wandsworth partially selective secondary schools

North West England

Cumbria

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• April 2024 to July 2024 – Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith

Release of Exam Results

• Mid-October 2024 – Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith

Greater Manchester

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• 29 June 2024 to 31 July 2024 – Loreto Grammar School
• To be advised – St Ambrose College
• To be advised – Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• 20 September 2024 – Loreto Grammar School
• To be advised – St Ambrose College
• To be advised – Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium

Release of Exam Results

• Mid-October 2024 – all Greater Manchester grammar schools

Lancashire

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• May 2024 to September 2024 – Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School
• June to September 2024 – Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – all Lancashire grammar schools

Release of Exam Results

• Mid-October 2024 – all Lancashire grammar schools

Merseyside

Exam Registration 

• May 2024 – Calday Grange Grammar School, West Kirby Grammar School, Wirral Grammar School for Boys and Wirral Grammar School for Girls (Wirral Admissions Test)
• To be advised – St Anselm’s College, Upton Hall School, The Blue Coat School

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

Exam Date

• September 2024 – 11 Plus Exam
• September 2024 – Wirral Admissions Test

Release of Exam Results

• Mid-October 2024 – Wirral Admissions Exam Results
• October 2024 – 11 Plus results

South East England

Berkshire

Exam Registration 

• To be advised – all Berkshire grammar and partially selective schools 

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

Exam Date

• To be advised – all Berkshire grammar and partially selective schools

Release of Exam Results

• Mid-October 2024 – all Berkshire grammar and partially selective schools 

Buckinghamshire

Secondary Transfer Test Registration 

• May 2024 to June 2024 – The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) including Dr Challoner’s High School 

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

Secondary Transfer Test Date

• September 2024 – The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) 

Release of Exam Results

• October 2024 – The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS)

Kent

Exam Registration 

• June 2024 – Medway Test
• June 2024 to July 2024 – Kent Test

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

Exam Date

• September 2024 – Kent Test for Kent and non-Kent primary schools
• September 2024 – Medway Test for Medway and non-Medway primary schools

Release of Exam Results

• October 2024 – Medway Exam Results
• October 2024 – Kent Exam Results 

South West England

Devon

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• 22 April 2024 to 15 August 2024 – Devonport High School for Girls and Plymouth High School for Girls 
• To be advised – Torbay Grammar School, Colyton Grammar School, and Devonport High School for Boys

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• 14 September 2024 – Plymouth English exam
• 21 September 2024 – Plymouth Maths exam
• To be advised – Torbay Grammar School, Colyton Grammar School, and Devonport High School for Boys

Release of Exam Results

• Mid-October 2024 – all Devon grammar schools

Dorset

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• April 2024 to September 2024 – all Dorset grammar schools

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application 

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – all Dorset grammar schools

Release of Exam Results

• October 2024 – all Dorset grammar schools

Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire Grammar School Entrance Test Registration 

• May 2024 to June 2024 – all Gloucestershire grammar schools 

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

Gloucestershire Grammar School Entrance Test Date

• September 2024 – all Gloucestershire grammar schools

Release of Exam Results

• Mid-October 2024 – all Gloucestershire grammar schools

Wiltshire

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• April 2024 to July 2024 – Bishop Wordsworth’s School 
• June 2024 to September 2024 – South Wilts Grammar School

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – Bishop Wordsworth’s School 
• September 2024 – South Wilts Grammar School

Release of Exam Results

• October 2024 – South Wilts Grammar School
• Mid-October 2024 – Bishop Wordsworth’s School

West Midlands

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• May 2024 to Jun 2024 – all West Midlands grammar schools

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – all West Midlands grammar schools

Release of Test Results

• October 2024 – all West Midlands grammar schools

Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• April 2024 to June 2024 – Ripon Grammar School
• April 2024 to September 2024 – Ermysted’s Grammar School
• May 2024 to August 2024 – Skipton Girls’ High School 

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – Ripon Grammar School, Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton Girls’ High School 

Release of Test Results

• October 2024 – Ripon Grammar School, Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton Girls’ High School 

West Yorkshire

11 Plus Exam Registration 

• March 2024to June 2024 – The Crossley Heath Grammar School and North Halifax Grammar School
• Mid-May 2024 to June 2024 – Heckmondwike Grammar School

Local Authorities Secondary School Places Application

• Early September 2024  to 31 October 2024

11 Plus Exam Date

• September 2024 – The Crossley Heath Grammar School and North Halifax Grammar School
• September 2024 – Heckmondwike Grammar School

Release of Results

• October 2024 – The Crossley Heath Grammar School and North Halifax Grammar School
• October 2024 – Heckmondwike Grammar School

What About UK Independent Schools 11 Plus?

Independent schools often have their unique test procedures for subjects like Maths and English and use reputable publishers like GL for Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning.

Independent schools also include creative writing in their 11+ exam, reflecting the broader education approach of independent schools.

The pupils’ age of entry can also vary among Independent schools. Common entry levels and year groups for independent schools include 11+ Entry (Year 7), 13+ Entry (Year 9), 15+ Entry (Year 11), and 16+ Entry (Year 12).

Whilst the Common Entrance exam is more widely used for admission at age 13, a handful of independent schools such as schools for girls employ it for 11+ entry. These exam papers include assessments in English, Maths, and Science.

In North London, a consortium of 12 independent schools has streamlined the assessment process by introducing a single 75-minute, multiple-choice cognitive test. This innovative approach replaces extensive English and Maths papers, focusing on Maths, verbal, and non-verbal reasoning knowledge.

Independent schools also cater to a wide range of student profiles and needs, giving parents and primary pupils more opportunities to explore and evaluate their options.

To make an informed choice, parents and their children can attend open days and evenings hosted by independent schools. These events are a valuable opportunity for parents and their children to gain firsthand knowledge about what each independent school has to offer.

The majority of Independent Schools conduct their 11+ entry exams in January, with any pre-tests typically occurring in November. Results are immediately released in February.

What Date Is the 11 Plus Exam 2024?

Most grammar schools conduct the 11+ exam during the first two weeks of September 2024. However, the specific date may vary depending on the school and location. 

The exam paper format also differs based on two main exam boards that administer the tests in a given region or school, namely the GL assessment and CEM. GL Assessment takes the cake in administering the 11+ in most grammar schools in the UK.

Also, the content varies depending on your location, so it’s important to check with your chosen school for exact details. Typically, the 11+ exam covers subjects like English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-verbal Reasoning.

All subjects come in multiple-choice format plus a written piece on some English paper. A child sits two or three 11+ tests, each lasting between 45 to 60 minutes. 

When to Register for 11 Plus Exam 2024

The registration process kicks off as early as April or May 2024 and continues until June or July 2024. The responsibility lies with parents to submit the 11+ Application Form for their children. You can typically find this form on the Grammar School’s website under the ‘Year 7 Admissions’ section. The registration deadlines may vary, so be sure to check your child’s school website for the exact dates.

If you plan to apply to more than one grammar school, you’ll need to register separately for each exam your child will take unless a group of schools is part of a joint consortium. 

Additionally, you’ll need to fill in a Local Education Authority (LEA) secondary school online form, known as the Common Application Form (CAF), to indicate your interest in sending your child to a grammar school. Fill out this form in order of preferred schools as the local authority will work down the list. Your first-choice grammar school may have additional criteria for allocation, such as distance from the school, so there is no guarantee that your child will be admitted even if the child passed the 11+.

One important date to remember is the deadline for applying for school places, which is typically October 31, 2024. Once the 11+ exam results are known, you have a short window to submit the CAF with your choices for both grammar and other state secondary schools. Late registrations are generally not accepted, so make sure to be aware of your council’s deadlines.

What Date Do the 11+ Results Come Out?

The release of 11+ results typically occurs in mid-October 2024 or soon after the actual exams. The details in your child’s 11+ results letter may vary.

It can indicate if your child is ‘likely to gain a place’ at a specific grammar school, a pass or fail mark, or a Standardised Secondary Transfer Test Score (SSTTS).

Again, passing the 11+ doesn’t guarantee a spot at your first-choice grammar school. If the school is oversubscribed, other factors like proximity to the school will come into play. 

Finally, on National Offer Day, which falls on March 1, 2025, your local authority will reveal which secondary school your child has been allocated. This information will be sent via post or email, and the timing may vary.

For more details about the allocation process in your area, reach out to your local education authority.

Timely planning and registration are key to giving your child the best chance of success in this important exam. Good luck to both parents and students!