11 Plus Exam Guide
11 Plus Exam Dates
When does the 11 Plus take place — and what are the key deadlines you cannot miss?
The 11 Plus does not have a single national exam date. Each grammar school or regional consortium sets its own dates. However, there is a well-established annual pattern that families can plan around. This page explains when the exam typically takes place, when to register, and all the surrounding deadlines that matter — from first registration through to school offer day.
Exact dates change every year. Always check directly with your target grammar school or local authority for the confirmed dates for your application year.
Section 1
When Does the 11 Plus Exam Take Place?
The 11 Plus exam is almost always held in one of two windows:
Primary Window — September
- The vast majority of grammar schools hold their exam in September of Year 6.
- The exam typically falls on a Saturday in mid-to-late September — most commonly the second or third Saturday.
- Standard date for most regions including Kent, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham, Essex, Hertfordshire, and others.
- Children are 10 or 11 years old at the time of sitting.
Secondary Window — Oct/Nov
- A smaller number of schools, particularly some independent selective schools and certain consortia, hold exams in October or November.
- Some schools use this window as a second-round or retest date.
- A few areas (e.g. parts of Trafford) may test slightly later in the autumn term.
In almost every case, the 11 Plus exam takes place in September or October of Year 6 — the final year of primary school.
Section 2
Buckinghamshire — The Year 5 Exception
Buckinghamshire is the most notable exception to the Year 6 rule:
- Children in Buckinghamshire sit the 11 Plus in September of Year 5 (not Year 6) — making them just 9 or 10 years old on exam day.
- This means Buckinghamshire families must begin preparation significantly earlier than most.
- The exam is still held in September, but one full academic year earlier than other regions.
If you live in or are applying to Buckinghamshire grammar schools, your child’s exam year is Year 5, not Year 6. Check this carefully when planning your preparation timeline.
Section 3
When Do You Register for the 11 Plus?
Registration always closes before the exam — typically months before. Missing the registration deadline means your child cannot sit the exam that year.
April – May
- Some grammar schools open registration portals
- Early research phase — identify target schools
- Check each school's website for opening dates
May – June
- Most registration windows open in this period
- Download and read each school's admissions prospectus
- Register separately for each school
June – July
- Majority of registration deadlines fall here
- Some independent schools close earlier — check from April
- Late registrations are rarely accepted
August
- Small number of schools have August deadlines
- Final chance to register for September exams
- Preparation should be well underway
Important: registration for the 11 Plus exam is SEPARATE from your council school application. You must do both. Missing the exam registration deadline means your child cannot sit — regardless of how well prepared they are.
Section 4
The Complete 11 Plus Annual Timeline
Year Before (Year 5 or Earlier)
- Begin familiarisation with question types
- Build reading, vocabulary, and mental maths habits
- Research realistic grammar school targets
- Attend school open days (many held autumn/spring)
January – March (Year of Exam)
- Some Buckinghamshire and early-registering schools open portals
- Confirm exam board for target schools (GL or CEM)
- Structured preparation should be well underway
April – May
- Research registration requirements for each target school
- Some schools open registration — check school websites weekly
- Continue timed practice papers
May – June
- Most registration windows open
- Register with each target school individually
- Gather supporting documents (birth certificate, proof of address)
June – July — Key Deadline
- Most registration deadlines fall here
- Do not leave this to the last minute
- Continue intensive exam preparation over summer
August
- Final registrations close
- Exam admission letters / candidate numbers issued
- Final preparation — timed papers, weak area revision
- Reduce pressure in the last 1–2 weeks before the exam
September — Exam Month
- 11 Plus exam day — typically a Saturday in mid-to-late September
- Most children sit the exam this month
- (Buckinghamshire children sat their exam in September of the previous year)
October
- Some schools hold second-round or later exams
- Secondary school application (CAF) opens via your local council
- Deadline: 31 October — submit your secondary school preferences (national deadline)
October – November
- Results released by grammar schools (typically 4–6 weeks after exam)
- Parents notified of qualifying / non-qualifying status
- Review results and confirm school preference list on your CAF
1 March — National Offer Day
- All families in England receive their secondary school offer
- Grammar school places confirmed on this date
- Accept or decline offers promptly
Section 5
When Are 11 Plus Results Released?
- Results are typically released 4 to 6 weeks after the exam.
- A September exam usually yields results in October or November.
- Results are communicated by the individual school or consortium, not by the council.
- Results tell parents whether their child has “qualified” (met the academic standard) — not whether they have secured a place.
- A school place is only confirmed on National Offer Day: 1 March.
Exam
September
→
Results
Oct – Nov
→
Offers
1 March
Section 6
What If You Miss a Registration Deadline?
- Missing the registration deadline almost always means your child cannot sit the exam that year — schools rarely make exceptions.
- There is no national appeals process for missed registration.
- You may need to wait until the following year and re-apply.
- Some schools maintain a waiting list for exceptional circumstances (e.g. recent house move into catchment) — contact the school directly.
What You Can Still Do
- Apply to non-selective state schools via your council CAF (deadline: 31 October, Year 6).
- Consider independent school entrance exams, which often run on different timelines (some as late as January–February of Year 6).
- Research late-entry selective schools — a small number accept applications into Year 7 and beyond.
Section 7
Typical Exam Timing by Region
Local exam dates, exam board, and registration windows for the major 11 Plus regions.
Kent
- Exam window: September (Year 6)
- Administered by: Kent Test (GL Assessment)
- Registration: typically opens May, closes late June
- All Year 6 children in Kent are eligible. Parents must still register.
Buckinghamshire
- Exam window: September (Year 5 — one year earlier)
- Administered by: GL Assessment
- Registration: typically April–June of Year 5
- Fully selective county. Exam taken in Year 5.
Birmingham & Sutton Coldfield
- Exam window: September (Year 6)
- Administered by: GL Assessment
- Registration: typically May–June
- King Edward VI consortium and others
Trafford (Greater Manchester)
- Exam window: September–October (Year 6)
- Administered by: CEM
- Registration: typically June–July
- Five grammar schools in the area
Lincolnshire
- Exam window: September (Year 6)
- Administered by: CEM
- Registration: typically June
- Several grammar schools across the county
Essex (Southend, Chelmsford, Colchester)
- Exam window: September (Year 6)
- Administered by: GL Assessment
- Registration: typically May–June (varies by school)
- Selective schools in specific areas
Hertfordshire (Watford, Barnet, Hemel)
- Exam window: September (Year 6)
- Administered by: GL Assessment
- Registration: typically May–June
- Competition varies by location
Independent Selective Schools
- Timelines vary significantly by school
- Many use pre-tests in Year 5 or early Year 6 (Oct–Dec)
- Main entrance exams often January–February of Year 6
- Contact each school individually — do not assume alignment with grammar school dates
Section 8
School Open Days — Visit Before You Register
- Most grammar schools hold open days in the autumn and spring terms before the registration window opens.
- Open days are typically held: September–November and January–March.
- Attending open days helps families confirm which schools to target before committing to registration.
- Some oversubscribed schools require you to pre-book open day places.
Visit at least 2–3 schools before finalising your list. Understanding the school’s culture and expectations helps your child feel more confident — and helps you make a better strategic choice on your CAF preference list.
Section 9
Making Sure You Don't Miss Key Dates
Create a dedicated calendar for all 11 Plus deadlines as soon as you begin researching (ideally Year 4 or early Year 5).
Sign up to email newsletters or alerts from each target school — many publish registration opening dates in advance.
Check each school's admissions page monthly from January of the exam year.
Register for each school separately — one registration does not cover multiple schools.
Set calendar reminders 4 weeks and 1 week before each deadline.
Submit your council CAF (Common Application Form) by 31 October — this is separate from the exam registration.
Don't confuse “qualifying” with “getting a place” — both steps matter and have different timelines.
Section 10
Exam Dates — Frequently Asked Questions
No. Each school or regional consortium sets its own date. However, the vast majority of exams fall on a Saturday in September of Year 6.
All dates on this page represent typical annual patterns based on how the 11 Plus has historically been scheduled. Exact dates are set by individual schools and local authorities each year and are subject to change. Always verify directly with your target school or local council.
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