What Age Do Children Sit the 11+ entrance exam?
Knowing what age children sit the 11+ is important for planning grammar school applications and preparation. Most children register during Year 5 and take the entrance test during Year 6, although exact dates and processes vary between schools and areas.
This guide explains when children typically register and sit the 11+, when to start preparing, when results are released and what happens after the test. For more guidance, see our 11+ Practice Papers and Grammar School Admissions Guide. You can also learn more about Grammar School Application Deadlines to help plan each stage without missing an important date.
Page Contents
What Age Is the 11+ Taken?
Year 5 Registration
For most children, 11+ registration takes place during Year 5, before the entrance test is sat in Year 6. However, the exact registration window varies between grammar schools and local authorities.
Parents should check the admissions requirements for each school they are considering and make a note of:
- Registration opening date
- Registration deadline
- 11+ test date
- Secondary school application deadline
Registering early gives families time to understand the test format and plan preparation. Missing a school’s registration deadline can mean your child is unable to sit that year’s entrance test.
Year 6 11+ Testing
Most children sit the 11+ during Year 6, with grammar school entrance tests typically taking place early in the academic year. The exact date depends on the grammar school or local authority.
The test may assess areas such as:
- Maths
- English
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
- Spatial reasoning
After the test, results are usually released before the secondary school application deadline, giving parents time to include grammar school preferences on their application. Always check the individual school’s admissions timetable, as 11+ test dates and processes vary across the UK.
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When Should You Start 11+ Preparation?
Year 4 Preparation
Year 4 is a good time to begin gentle 11+ preparation without putting unnecessary pressure on your child. The focus should be on building strong foundations in Maths, English and reasoning, rather than completing full timed papers.
| Focus | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Maths | Strengthen core number and problem-solving skills |
| English | Read regularly and build vocabulary and comprehension |
| Reasoning | Introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning gradually |
| Practice | Use short, untimed sessions |
| Confidence | Keep preparation enjoyable and consistent |
Starting gradually in Year 4 gives children time to develop their skills and confidence before more focused 11+ preparation in Year 5.
Year 5 Preparation
Year 5 is when 11+ preparation should become more focused, particularly if your child is applying to selective grammar schools. The aim is to strengthen core skills, become familiar with the test format and gradually build speed and accuracy.
| Focus | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Core skills | Strengthen Maths, English and reasoning |
| Question types | Practise the formats used by target schools |
| Practice papers | Introduce timed papers gradually |
| Weak areas | Identify mistakes and target gaps |
| Exam technique | Build speed, accuracy and confidence |
Check your chosen grammar schools’ 11+ registration deadlines and test formats early in Year 5, as requirements can vary. By the later stages of Year 5, children should be comfortable with the question types they are likely to face.
11+ Test Dates and Admissions
When Are 11+ Results Released?
11+ results are usually released during Year 6, after the entrance test has been completed. The exact date varies between grammar schools and local authorities, so there is no single UK-wide results day.
Results are generally released before the secondary school application deadline, allowing parents to use the outcome when deciding which schools to include on their application.
Parents should check the relevant grammar school’s admissions timetable for:
- 11+ test date
- Results release date
- Secondary school application deadline
- National Offer Day
If your child is applying to multiple grammar schools, check each school’s timetable carefully, as test and results dates can differ.
Secondary School Application Deadlines
The secondary school application deadline is usually 31 October of Year 6 for children starting secondary school the following September. This is separate from registering for and sitting the 11+ test, so parents need to keep track of both deadlines.
When applying for grammar schools, make sure you:
- Register for the 11+ by the school’s deadline.
- Check your child’s 11+ result before completing your preferences where applicable.
- Submit your secondary school application by 31 October.
- Rank your preferred schools carefully.
- Check each school’s admissions criteria and catchment requirements.
Missing the application deadline can affect how your application is considered, so it is best to submit the application well before the deadline.
What Happens After the 11+?
After sitting the 11+ test, your child will receive their results before the secondary school application deadline in most areas. The result helps you understand whether they have met the required standard for grammar school consideration.
You should then:
- Check the 11+ result and understand what the score means.
- Review grammar school admissions criteria, including catchment and distance rules where applicable.
- Submit your secondary school application by the relevant deadline, usually 31 October.
- Rank your preferred schools carefully on the application.
- Wait for National Offer Day, when your child’s secondary school place is confirmed.
Remember that passing the 11+ does not always guarantee a grammar school place. Where schools are oversubscribed, other admission criteria may determine which children receive offers.
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