Buckinghamshire 11+ Guide — Secondary Transfer Test Explained

Complete Buckinghamshire 11+ guide for parents: Secondary Transfer Test format, grammar schools, registration and how to prepare with GL-style practice.

What is the Bucks Secondary Transfer Test?

Buckinghamshire grammar schools use the Secondary Transfer Test, set by GL Assessment and taken in September of Year 6. Registration is via Buckinghamshire Council.

Grammar schools in Buckinghamshire

Popular selective schools include Dr Challoner's, Royal Grammar School High Wycombe, Beaconsfield High and Sir William Borlase's. Catchments and admissions policies vary — read each school's prospectus.

Test format overview

GL papers typically assess:

  • Mathematics — arithmetic, problem solving, time pressure
  • English — comprehension, vocabulary, spelling
  • Verbal and non-verbal reasoning — patterns, codes, spatial logic

How Bucks differs from Kent

Both use GL, but registration systems, catchments and school lists differ. Do not assume Kent advice applies verbatim to Bucks.

Preparation strategy

  1. Build skills in Year 5 without excessive pressure.
  2. From Easter of Year 6, weekly timed mocks.
  3. Review errors with explanations — CampusO₂ provides these automatically.
  4. Use Buckinghamshire 11+ local guide for consortium-specific FAQs.

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