Grammar School Pass Marks 2026: What Score Do You Need?
Understanding the grammar school pass marks is an important part of preparing for the 11+ entrance exam. However, there is no single score that guarantees a grammar school place, as qualifying scores and admission criteria vary between schools and regions. For a broader overview, read our 11+ Grammar School Guide and explore our Grammar Schools Near Me Guide.
In this guide, we explain how 11+ pass marks work, what counts as a strong score and the pass marks used by popular grammar schools. You can also explore our Top 100 UK Grammar Schools to compare grammar schools and understand the level of competition.
Page Contents
What Is the Grammar School Pass Mark?
What Is a Good Grammar School Pass Mark?
There is no single pass mark for every grammar school. The score your child needs depends on the school, region, entrance test and level of competition. For example, Buckinghamshire currently uses a standardised qualifying score of 121, while other areas use different scoring systems or rank pupils rather than applying one fixed pass mark.
As a general guide, a standardised score of around 121 or above is often considered a strong target for grammar school entry. Scores around 130+ are particularly competitive, but the right target should always be based on the specific grammar school your child is applying to.
Most importantly, passing does not always guarantee a place. At oversubscribed or super-selective grammar schools, the score needed to actually secure an offer can be considerably higher than the qualifying score.
Is There a Standard 11+ Pass Mark?
No, there is no single standard 11+ pass mark across the UK. Grammar schools and local admissions authorities can set their own qualifying scores, and some use ranking systems rather than a fixed pass mark. Scores are often standardised to account for factors such as the child’s age and the difficulty of the test.
For example, Buckinghamshire uses a qualifying standardised score of 121, but this should not be treated as a national 11+ pass mark. Other grammar school areas can have different thresholds and admissions processes.
For the most accurate target, parents should check the specific grammar school’s current admissions criteria and previous score information, rather than relying on a general 11+ pass mark.
Grammar School Entrance Exam Pass Marks
How the 11+ Pass Mark Is Calculated
The 11+ pass mark is usually based on a standardised score, rather than simply the number of questions a child answers correctly. Raw marks are converted into a standardised score to account for factors such as the difficulty of the test and, in some areas, the child’s age.
The scoring system varies between grammar school areas. Some use a fixed qualifying score, while others rank children by their standardised results and offer places according to their position and admission criteria. This means the raw percentage needed to achieve a particular 11+ score can vary from one test to another.
For parents, the important point is that the qualifying score is not necessarily the score needed to secure a place. In competitive areas, children may need to achieve a higher score than the published pass mark, particularly where more pupils qualify than there are available places.
Does Passing the 11+ Guarantee a Place?
No, passing the 11+ does not always guarantee a grammar school place. The qualifying score usually means that your child is eligible to be considered for a grammar school place, but admission depends on the school’s oversubscription criteria and the number of places available.
| Outcome | What it means |
|---|---|
| Below the qualifying score | Your child normally won’t qualify for a grammar school place through the 11+ |
| Meets the qualifying score | Your child is eligible to be considered for a place |
| Above the qualifying score | A stronger score may improve your child’s position at competitive schools |
| Qualifies but no offer | Other criteria, such as ranking, distance or priority rules, may determine who receives a place |
In highly competitive areas, many children may achieve the qualifying score. Schools can then use rankings, distance from the school, priority criteria or higher scores to decide who receives an offer.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 11+ score | May determine a child’s ranking or eligibility |
| Number of places | Affects how competitive admission is |
| Oversubscription criteria | Determines priority when there are more applicants than places |
| Distance | Some schools give priority based on home-to-school distance |
| School preference | The order of preferences can affect the offer made |
Parents should therefore check the individual grammar school’s admissions policy and previous offer information, rather than assuming that passing the 11+ guarantees admission.
Birmingham Grammar School Pass Marks
Birmingham Grammar Schools Pass Marks
Birmingham grammar schools use standardised 11+ scores, and there isn’t one simple raw-mark percentage that counts as a pass. For the King Edward VI Foundation grammar schools, the 2026 entry qualifying score was 205, while a priority score of 224 was used for higher-priority allocations. (King Edward VI Foundation)
However, 205 does not necessarily mean a child will receive an offer. Places are allocated according to each school’s admissions criteria, and the score needed to secure a place can be higher depending on the school and applicant category. For example, for 2026 entry, the published score for non-priority applicants at Bishop Vesey’s was 229, while King Edward VI Aston’s was 217 based on its relevant admissions category. (Birmingham 11+)
Birmingham Grammar School Pass Marks: 2026 Entry
| Grammar school | Qualifying score | 2026 entry score* |
|---|---|---|
| King Edward VI Foundation schools | 205 | Varies by school |
| Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School | 205 | 229 |
| King Edward VI Aston School | 205 | 217 |
| Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls | 205 | Based on rank order |
| King Edward VI Camp Hill schools | 205 | Depends on admissions criteria |
| King Edward VI Handsworth | 205 | Depends on admissions criteria |
| King Edward VI Five Ways | 205 | Depends on admissions criteria |
*The score shown is the relevant 2026 entry offer/priority figure, not necessarily a universal “pass mark.” The Foundation confirms that 205 was the qualifying score for all its grammar schools for 2026 entry. (King Edward VI Foundation)
What Score Should You Aim For?
If your child is preparing for Birmingham grammar schools, 205 should be viewed as the qualifying benchmark rather than the target score. For highly competitive schools, aiming substantially above 205 provides a stronger position.
| Score | What it means |
|---|---|
| Below 205 | Below the 2026 Foundation qualifying score |
| 205+ | Meets the qualifying threshold |
| 220+ | A stronger position, but not guaranteed an offer |
| 224+ | Meets the 2026 Foundation priority score |
| 230+ | Highly competitive for many Birmingham grammar school applications |
The exact score required can change each year, so parents should use the latest admissions information rather than treating historical pass marks as guaranteed thresholds. The Foundation also confirms that children who achieve the qualifying score can be placed on waiting lists for schools ranked higher on their preference form. (King Edward VI Foundation)
Birmingham Grammar School Historic Pass Marks
Birmingham grammar schools have used different qualifying and offer scores over time, so historic results are useful for understanding how competitive each school has been. The figures below show qualifying scores and historical offer thresholds where available; they should not be treated as guaranteed scores for future admission. (Birmingham 11+)
Birmingham Grammar School Pass Marks: 2017–2022
| Grammar school | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Edward VI Camp Hill Boys | 240 | 242 | 249 | 222 | 222 | 225 |
| King Edward VI Aston | 222 | 220 | 225 | 213 | 211 | 213 |
| Bishop Vesey’s Grammar | 220 | 222 | 228 | 223 | 221 | 223 |
| Handsworth Grammar Boys | 208 | 208 | 219 | 213 | 210 | 211 |
| King Edward VI Five Ways | 233 | 232 | 237 | 232 | 244 | 218 |
| King Edward VI Camp Hill Girls | 235 | 236 | 238 | 245 | 236 | 241 |
| Sutton Coldfield Grammar Girls | 217 | 218 | 221 | 217 | 215 | 221 |
| King Edward VI Handsworth Girls | 222 | 224 | 226 | 214 | 212 | 215 |
Figures are historical qualifying/offer-related scores compiled from Birmingham grammar school admissions information. The scoring system and admissions categories can affect how these figures should be interpreted. (Birmingham 11+)
What Do Birmingham’s Historic Pass Marks Show?
The historic figures demonstrate that there is no single Birmingham grammar school pass mark. The qualifying threshold and the score needed to obtain a place can vary considerably between schools. For example, historical figures show higher thresholds at selective schools such as Camp Hill Boys and Camp Hill Girls, while other Birmingham grammar schools have had lower qualifying or offer scores. (Birmingham 11+)
The 2020 and 2021 figures should also be treated carefully, as the COVID-19 pandemic affected assessment arrangements and makes straightforward year-to-year comparisons less reliable. Birmingham City Council notes that normal examinations and assessments were disrupted during this period. (birmingham.gov.uk)
For parents preparing for the 11+, historic Birmingham grammar school pass marks are best used as a guide to competitiveness, rather than as a target that guarantees admission. The latest admissions information from the relevant school or Birmingham’s admissions authority should always take priority. (birmingham.gov.uk)
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Grammar School Pass Marks by School
Kent Grammar School Pass Mark
For Kent grammar schools, there is not a separate pass mark for each school. Children normally take the Kent Test, which produces standardised scores for English, maths and reasoning, plus an aggregate score.
For 2025 entry, the Kent grammar school threshold was 332 overall, with no individual test score below 108. The maximum possible aggregate score is 423.
The threshold for 2026 entry was published separately by Kent County Council, while the threshold for the 2026 test itself is due to be available in October 2026.
It’s important to remember that meeting the Kent Test pass mark does not guarantee a grammar school place. Kent grammar schools can be oversubscribed and use their individual admissions criteria to rank eligible applicants.
For example, some schools give greater priority to children with higher Kent Test scores, so the score needed to actually secure an offer can be higher than the qualifying threshold.
Tonbridge Grammar School Pass Mark
Tonbridge Grammar School does not set its own 11+ entrance test for Year 7 entry. Instead, applicants must take the Kent Test (PESE 11+) and receive a selective assessment to be considered for a place. (Kent County Council)
The Kent-wide grammar school threshold was 332 overall for 2025 entry, with no individual score below 108. However, 332 is the qualifying threshold, not necessarily the score needed to secure a place at Tonbridge Grammar School. (Kent County Council)
For Tonbridge Grammar School, places are allocated among girls who have achieved a selective assessment, with the school’s admissions criteria considering the combined age-standardised assessment score and then distance as a tie-breaker. (Kent County Council)
In short: there isn’t a specific Tonbridge Grammar School “pass mark”. Your child needs to pass the Kent Test, but a higher score can be important because Tonbridge Grammar School is selective and has 180 Year 7 places. (Kent County Council)
Dartford Grammar School Pass Mark
Dartford Grammar School uses the Kent Test (11+) for Year 7 admission rather than having a separate entrance-exam pass mark. For the 2025 Kent Test, children needed a combined standardised score of 332 or higher, with no individual score below 108, to be assessed as suitable for grammar school.
However, 332 is the Kent-wide qualifying threshold, not necessarily the score needed to secure a place at Dartford Grammar School. Dartford Grammar School has its own admissions criteria and can be oversubscribed, meaning eligible children are ranked according to the school’s published criteria.
For 2026 entry, the relevant Kent Test threshold had not yet been published at the time of the current Kent County Council information; KCC states that the 2026 threshold will be available in October 2026.
In short: aim to meet the Kent Test qualifying score, but don’t treat it as a guaranteed Dartford Grammar School offer. A higher score can be important when competing for places at an oversubscribed grammar school.
Sutton Grammar School Pass Mark
Sutton Grammar School does not have one fixed published pass mark for the full Year 7 admissions process. Boys first take the Selective Eligibility Test (SET), and those meeting Sutton Grammar School’s required standard are invited to the second-stage entrance examination. The school then combines the SET and second-stage results, with marks adjusted for age and income deprivation. (Sutton Grammar School)
Importantly, meeting the required standard does not guarantee a place. Sutton Grammar ranks eligible applicants according to its admissions criteria, with places allocated based largely on the combined standardised scores from the two tests. (Sutton Grammar School)
For 2026/27 entry, Sutton Grammar School has 150 Year 7 places, so the score needed to actually receive an offer can be higher than the minimum qualifying standard. (sutton.gov.uk)
In short: there isn’t a simple Sutton Grammar “pass mark”. Your child needs to meet the school’s SET standard and perform strongly in the second-stage test to be competitive for a place.
Watford Grammar School Pass Mark
There is no single published Watford Grammar School pass mark that applies to every applicant. The admissions process differs between Watford Grammar School for Boys and Watford Grammar School for Girls, so the relevant entrance test and admissions criteria need to be checked for the individual school.
For Watford Grammar School for Girls, Year 7 applicants can be considered for specialist academic places through the South West Herts Consortium test. For 2026 entry, the school had 52 academic-ability specialist places, with applicants ranked in descending order of their test scores when applications exceeded the available places. (Watford Grammar School for Girls)
This means that passing the entrance test does not automatically guarantee a place. Because the school is heavily oversubscribed, the score needed to secure an academic place can depend on the number and performance of applicants in that year. (Watford Grammar School for Girls)
For parents preparing for Watford Grammar School, the key takeaway is to aim well above the minimum qualifying standard rather than simply targeting a pass. The latest admissions policy should always be checked before using a historical score as a target.
How to Score Above the Grammar School Pass Mark
Improve Your 11+ Maths Score
Improving your child’s 11+ maths score is less about learning advanced topics and more about becoming confident with the key areas tested under time pressure. Focus on fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, problem-solving and mental maths, while regularly practising questions that require children to apply their knowledge in unfamiliar ways.
Regular practice can also improve speed and accuracy. Start by identifying the topics where your child loses the most marks, then target these areas with focused practice rather than repeatedly completing questions they already find easy.
For grammar school preparation, aim to build three things together: strong mathematical understanding, accurate working and the ability to solve problems quickly. This gives your child a better chance of achieving a score comfortably above the required grammar school pass mark.
Practise Grammar School Entrance Exams
Practising grammar school entrance exams helps children become familiar with the question styles, time limits and level of difficulty they can expect on test day. Regular practice can also highlight weaker areas, allowing your child to focus their preparation where it will have the greatest impact.
Use a combination of timed practice questions and full-length 11+ practice papers. Start untimed to build accuracy and understanding, then gradually introduce time limits as your child becomes more confident.
The aim is not simply to complete as many papers as possible. Review mistakes carefully, identify recurring weaknesses and practise those topics again. This approach can help your child improve both their 11+ score and exam confidence before sitting a grammar school entrance test.
Grammar School Pass Mark FAQs
What Is the Pass Mark for Grammar Schools?
There is no single pass mark for every grammar school. Each school or grammar school area can use its own entrance test, scoring system and admissions criteria. Some schools use standardised 11+ scores, while others have specific qualifying scores or ranking systems. Always check the individual grammar school’s latest admissions information.
What Is the 11+ Pass Mark?
The 11+ pass mark is the minimum score a child needs to be considered eligible for a grammar school place. However, passing the 11+ does not always guarantee admission. In highly competitive areas, children may need to achieve a score significantly above the qualifying mark to secure a place.
What Is a Good Pass Mark for Grammar School?
A good 11+ score depends on the grammar school and its level of competition. A score that is sufficient for one school may not be competitive enough for another. If your child is targeting a particularly competitive grammar school, aim to score comfortably above the published qualifying mark rather than simply achieving the minimum.
