What Is the 11 Plus? Complete Parent Guide (2026)
What is the 11 plus exam? A clear guide to grammar school entrance: subjects tested, GL vs CEM formats, when to start preparation, and how unlimited practice helps.
What is the 11 plus exam?
The 11+ (eleven plus) is a selective entrance examination taken by children in Year 6 (age 10–11) for places at grammar schools in England. It typically tests Mathematics, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning — though the exact format depends on your local consortium.
What is in the 11 plus exam?
Most 11+ papers cover:
- Maths — arithmetic, problem-solving, fractions and word problems under time pressure
- English — comprehension, vocabulary, spelling and grammar
- Verbal reasoning — word analogies, codes and logic (VR guide)
- Non-verbal reasoning — shape patterns and spatial puzzles (NVR guide)
Some regions use different formats — Essex uses CSSE (English and Maths only); Sutton uses a two-stage process. See our GL vs CEM guide.
When should preparation start?
Build core skills in Year 5. Move to timed 11+ mock tests and past papers from three to four months before the exam.
How CampusO₂ helps
Unlimited AI-generated 11+ questions with instant explanations — so your child never runs out of fresh material after official papers are exhausted.