Free 11+ Practice, Exam and Past Papers (with Answers)

11+ practice papers make ideal practice for children before they face their real 11+ paper.

11+ Practice Papers

Bond

These 11+ Practice Papers from Bond can be downloaded free of charge.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

Bond also published these very helpful CEM 11+ practice papers several years ago. While CEM is no longer used, these papers are still useful for practice.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
CEMMixed

These free 11+ practice papers by Bond are valuable resources for pupils preparing for their 11 plus exams. This collection of Bond papers includes all the key subjects (maths, English reading, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning) as well as full answers. Bond's materials are designed to align with GL Assessment standards, helping pupils familiarise themselves with the test format and build confidence before facing their actual 11+ entrance exams.

GL Assessment

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

These free GL 11+ practice papers are published by GL Assessment, the creators of the actual 11 plus exam papers used in many grammar schools. This comprehensive collection includes a range of 11+ maths papers and English reading papers as well as verbal and non-verbal reasoning papers. As you might expect, These GL 11+ practice papers closely mirror the format and difficulty of the real GL 11+ tests, providing pupils with authentic exam experience. GL Assessment's practice papers come with detailed answers, making them invaluable for understanding exam questions and improving performance.

Exam Ninja

These Free 11+ Practice Papers from Exam Ninja can be downloaded free of charge.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish

These free 11 plus practice papers (published by Exam Ninja) are extremely valuable downloads for pupils preparing for their 11 plus exams. This collection of Exam Ninja papers includes English and Maths tests written to align with GL Assessment standards as well as full answers. Use these 11+ practice papers to build confidence before children face their real 11+ entrance exams.

Owl Tutors

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentWriting
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

This collection of free 11+ practice papers from Owl Tutors provides valuable resources for pupils preparing for their 11 plus exams. This selection includes 11+ maths papers, writing papers and reading papers, all available as free PDFs with answers. These 11 plus practice papers closely resemble actual GL 11+ papers, offering essential exam practice. Pupils can download these free of charge to familiarise themselves with various exam questions and boost their confidence for their real 11+ tests.

CGP

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. They are up to date and extremely useful.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
CEMMaths
CEMVerbal Reasoning
CEMNon-Verbal Reasoning

These 11+ practice papers were published by by CGP, a renowned educational publisher. We're grateful to CGP for granting us permission to distribute these valuable resources. Their 11 plus exam papers are up to date and exceptionally useful for exam preparation. These free 11+ practice papers (available as downloadable PDFs with answers) closely mirror the format and difficulty of actual GL Assessment tests. These 11 plus mock test papers (in maths, English comprehension, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning) offer pupils a realistic exam experience, helping them familiarise themselves with various question types and boost their confidence for the real 11+ tests.

CSSE

These Free CSSE 11+ Practice Papers were published by the 11+ exam board CSSE.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
CSSEWriting
CSSEEnglish
CSSEMaths

These 11+ practice papers were published by CSSE (the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex), a key provider of 11 plus exam papers. These free 11 plus papers (complete with answers) are provided as PDFs, offering comprehensive preparation for the CSSE 11+ tests. These 11 plus practice papers (including 11+ maths, English reading and writing papers) all mirror the actual CSSE exam format, providing pupils with authentic 11 plus mock test papers complete with detailed answers to help understand the exam questions.

11+ For You

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by "11+ For You".

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

Examberry

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by "Examberry".

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

Independent Junction

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Independent Junction.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

These 11+ practice papers were initially written some time ago by Independent Junction, a former educational publisher.

IPS

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

These 11+ practice papers were published by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd), a former educational publisher.

Schofield & Sims

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Schofield & Sims.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.

11+ Practice Papers

11+ Papers are used by all grammar schools as part of their entry procedure. We host a number of free practice papers for 11+ entry, published by Exam Ninja, Bond, Owl Tutors, GL Assessment, CSSE and CGP (as well as many more).

The purpose of the 11+ is to gauge your child's intelligence and academic potential. Test providers try hard to craft exams that children cannot prepare for but it's a very tricky task. No matter how they are structured, good preparation will always be essential.

11+ papers are not easy. Their purpose is to separate higher ability children so don't expect your child to achieve full marks. However, with 11+ practice papers you will see their performance and confidence improve.

11 plus papers are available in English Reading, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-Verbal reasoning (and sometimes, writing too!). Pay close attention to the subjects and 11+ test provider for your target schools. Some grammar schools test certain subjects while others don't so make sure your preparation is correctly targeted.

Several grammar schools require a separate test in creative writing. These are sometimes used to analyse children's grammar, punctuation and spelling (as well as their imagination) but more often than not this test is used as a tie-breaker.

As a further complication, some grammar schools will use two 11+ exam papers whilst others will use three or more. Pay close attention to the number of 11 plus exam papers for your target school.

We firmly recommend using 11+ practice papers to help your child prepare for their real 11+ papers.

Past 11+ Papers

A number of schools publish 11 plus past papers for children to use to familiarise themselves with the subjects and question styles before their real 11+ exams.

Below is an exhaustive table of all the 11+ past papers from grammar schools in England. Click on the links below to read each school's full 11+ entrance guide and download their 11+ past papers.

Grammar SchoolExam BoardSubject11+ Past Papers
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Greater Manchester)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Barton Court Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Beths Grammar School (Bexley, London)GL AssessmentMaths
Bexley Grammar School (Bexley, London)GL AssessmentMaths
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (Birmingham)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Borden Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Calday Grange Grammar School (Wirral)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Cranbrook School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Dane Court Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Dartford Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Dartford Grammar School for Girls (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Denmark Road High School (Gloucestershire)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Devonport High School for Boys (Devon)Internal*
*Now use GL Assessment		English
Maths
Mixed
Dover Grammar School for Boys (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Dover Grammar School for Girls (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Ermysted's Grammar School (North Yorkshire)GL AssessmentMixed
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Gravesend Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Haberdashers' Adams (Shropshire)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Heckmondwike Grammar School (West Yorkshire)CEM*
*Now use Internal		Mixed
Highsted Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Highworth Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Invicta Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
King Edward VI Aston School (Birmingham)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys (Birmingham)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls (Birmingham)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
King Edward VI Five Ways School (Birmingham)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys (Birmingham)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
King Edward VI Handsworth School (Birmingham)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Maidstone Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Marling School (Gloucestershire)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Newport Girls' High School Academy (Shropshire)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Oakwood Park Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Queen Elizabeth's School (Barnet, London)GL AssessmentEnglish
Maths
Queen Mary's Grammar School (Walsall)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Queen Mary's High School (Walsall)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Ribston Hall High School (Gloucestershire)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Ripon Grammar School (North Yorkshire)GL AssessmentMixed
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Sale Grammar School (Greater Manchester)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Sir Roger Manwood's School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Sir Thomas Rich's School (Gloucestershire)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Skipton Girls' High School (North Yorkshire)GL AssessmentMixed
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
St Anselm's College (Wirral)InternalEnglish
Maths
Stretford Grammar School (Greater Manchester)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Stroud High School (Gloucestershire)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls (Birmingham)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Sutton Grammar School (Sutton, London)Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET)English
Maths
Mixed
The Crossley Heath School (Calderdale)GL AssessmentMixed
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
The Crypt School (Gloucestershire)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
The Folkestone School for Girls (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
The Harvey Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
The Judd School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
The Latymer School (Enfield, London)Internal*
*Now use GL Assessment		English
Maths
The North Halifax Grammar School (Calderdale)GL AssessmentMixed
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
The Norton Knatchbull School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
The Skinners' School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Tonbridge Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Torquay Girls' Grammar School (Devon)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Townley Grammar School (Bexley, London)GL AssessmentMaths
Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Wallington County Grammar School (Sutton, London)Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET)English
Maths
Mixed
Weald of Kent Grammar School (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
West Kirby Grammar School (Wirral)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Wilmington Grammar School for Boys (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls (Kent)GL AssessmentMixed
Wirral Grammar School for Boys (Wirral)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Wirral Grammar School for Girls (Wirral)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed
Wolverhampton Girls' High School (Wolverhampton)CEM*
*Now use GL Assessment		Mixed

11+ Past Papers

Some grammar schools release their 11+ past papers. These are extremely valuable for children attempting to gain entry to those schools.

It's rare for children to have complete sets of 11 plus past papers from a target school. If these are available, use them extensively. The papers will tell you what test styles, subjects and topics come up. This information makes these 11 plus past papers incredibly valuable to your preparation.

GL Assessment have released several past 11+ papers in recent years. If your target schools use them, download the GL Assessment sample papers and use them to help your child prepare for their 11+ exams.

If your school has not released their past 11+ papers, you can use our 11+ practice papers to prepare your child for their 11+ exams.

Past 11+ papers can be very helpful and informative
Past 11+ papers can be very helpful and informative

About 11+ Papers

11 plus papers are an IQ test for children that seek to assess their potential. After politicians declared 11+ tests as being unfair in the 1960s the entire 11+ exam process was abolished and replaced with today's modern comprehensive system.

Many disagreed with this decision and some areas refused to close their grammar schools. Hence, several areas in England still have grammar schools alongside modern comprehensives. Gaining entry to these grammar schools is ferociously competitive - using 11+ papers is essential.

Getting through 11+ papers and into grammar school can be stressful.
Getting through 11+ papers and into grammar school can be stressful.

There are plenty of 11+ practice papers and 11+ past papers available to download. By using these free 11+ exam papers, your child will feel more confident approaching their real 11+ papers.

Our 11 plus test papers are enormously valuable for children hoping to enter a grammar school. With so many grammar school test papers free of charge on our website, we urge you to use them. Grammar schools, for all their faults, offer amazing possibilities to children.

Since 2011 we have offered grammar school test papers free of charge to millions. Thank you for your support!

11+ Test Providers

Different grammar schools often use different exam providers (for example GL Assessment, FSCE, CSSE etc). Ensure you know which 11+ exam provider your target grammar school uses.

Entry to that school's 11+ tests will be organised by your local authority, a group of schools or the individual school. It's absolutely essential you do your homework and be organised - otherwise you risk missing an all-important deadline.

Stay up to date with the latest 11+ paper providers by checking our 11+ schools page.

The content, structure and timing of these papers can vary significantly. Again, ensure your 11+ preparation is correctly targeted.

Passing 11 plus papers can get children into a traditional grammar school
Passing 11 plus papers can get children into a traditional grammar school

11 Plus

What is the 11 Plus?

What's the 11 plus you ask? Well first, a brief bit of history...

After World War 2, the Education Act dictated that state education should be free of charge and fall into two forms - grammar schools and secondary moderns. Grammar schools would focus on academic subjects whilst secondary moderns would teach trades.

The 11 plus (also known as 11+ exam or 11plus) was the test to determine whether a child went to a grammar school or a secondary modern.

Children judged to have a higher academic potential would go to a grammar school with the rest going to a secondary modern.

In 1960 there were over 1,200 grammar schools in the UK.

A typical British grammar school photo from the 1960s.
A typical British grammar school photo from the 1960s.

Why did the 11 plus stop?

In the 1950s and 1960s some politicians argued that selective education systems reinforced class division. They also added that middle-class privilege only increased these divisions.

In 1965, the government ordered LEAs to start phasing outgrammar schools and replace them with modern comprehensives. Then in 1976, legislation was cast to ban the introduction of any new selective education schools.

However, some areas of England refused, dug in their heels and kept their grammar schools. Today 163 grammar schools remain, run alongside comprehensives.

Wait, so does the 11+ still exists?

Yes...weirdly. The 11 plus is now a collective term for the entrance exams that the remaining grammar schools offer.

Contrary to popular belief (and legislation), the 11+ exam is still alive and extremely popular.
Contrary to popular belief (and legislation), the 11+ exam is still alive and extremely popular.

Should my child to take the 11 plus?

Most grammar schools were dismantled and transformed into secondary comprehensives for political reasons.

The 11 plus offered thousands of children from impoverished backgrounds a genuine opportunity. There's little doubt that the very nature of selective education did reinforce class privilege. However, for those that got the opportunity, they often went on to greater things.

The atmosphere inside today's grammar schools is without doubt a "social bubble". Try as they may to limit it, plenty of pupils come from privileged backgrounds and benefited from 11+ exam training. 

Catchment areas and Britain's housing market have only reinforced middle-class privilege. This has led to dwindling numbers of children from lower-income backgrounds.

In 1998 the government enacted legislation that strengthened powers to stop new grammar schools from opening. It also allowed for parent ballots on the future of existing grammar schools.

Only one ballot ever took place and the government embarassingly lost it, 67% to 33%. As a result Ripon Grammar remained a grammar school.

But enough negative talk...

Grammar schools offer children a spectacular academic environment. Their facilities, both academic and extra-curricular are almost incomparable to comprehensive schools. Their exam results speak for themselves with the top 40 grammars scoring 100% A*-C at GCSE in 2016.

Frankly, if your child has the opportunity to attend a grammar school, grab it with both hands. You would be mad not to.

167,000 children attend grammar schools in England
167,000 children attend grammar schools in England

So how do I enter them for an 11 plus exam?

Getting your child into a grammar school is not a simple task.

Every grammar school continues to offer an 11 plus paper to determine their intake.

Some local authorities automatically enter children for these tests while they're still in primary school. Others require you to apply. Some grammar schools band together as a consortium and offer a grouped test to whomever applies. Also, some grammar schools offer 11 plus exams to parents and children that only apply directly to them. Sadly, it was probably all a lot easier prior to 1965...

To confuse matters, the 11 plus exams that each of the above scenarios offer can be from different test providers. GL Assessment is the main test provider but there are others.

Lastly, to confuse you even more, two grammar schools could have the same test provider but not the same subjects! For example, some use Non-Verbal reasoning tests whilst others only use English and Maths.

Confusing eh?!

Even that doesn't put off the hundreds of thousands of parents that apply every year. Many schools report over 12 children applying for every single place.

Thankfully, we have a helpful 11 plus entry table to help you with your 11+ exam process.

How can I enter my child for an 11 plus exam?

First of all, look at our 11 plus entry table. Check the "Admissions" column.

Applying for the 11+

All 11+ areas have a responsibility to be fair with their entries but they do have very strict deadlines. Get informed and be organised.

Contact the admissions provider for the school (or schools) you would like to apply for. This could be the LEA, the school or a body that acts on behalf of the consortium of schools.

Politely request detailed information about:

  • When 11+ exam will take place.
  • Where 11+ exam will take place.
  • What topics are in their 11+ exam.
  • What format the test(s) will take (multiple choice or standard answer).

It's also very important to ask whether there are any other admissions criteria such as a maximum distance from the school.

Don't feel nervous contacting them, you won't be the only person asking.

Get organised and plan it. It's not much work and it could well be the best thing you ever do for your child's education.

There doesn't seem to be a grammar school near me.

Sorry, you're going to need a time machine. Blame the politicians that made those decisions back in 1965.

Sorry Marty, it's probably not going to happen
Sorry Marty, it's probably not going to happen

How do I prepare my child for their 11+ exam?

By now you should know:

  • The target grammar school(s).
  • The test provider (GL Assessment, FCSE etc).
  • The subjects that will be tested (Maths, English etc).
  • The format of the tests (Cloze, Multiple Choice etc).

Some parents appoint 11+ personal tutors for their children to help improve their performance. This can be very confidence boosting and test providers do their best to limit the "exam coaching" effect that it has.

Personal tutors can be expensive though and by no means are they essential to passing the 11+ exam. Indeed many pupils obtain places in grammar schools by only practising past 11 plus papers, 11+ practice papers or free 11+ online mock tests.

11+ Verbal reasoning and 11+ Non-verbal reasoning are both unique tests. They are often used because they gauge aptitude and don't require any previous experience. Having said that, the distinct nature of the tests means a child will benefit from preparation.

The 11 plus is the same as everything else in life: There's no substitute for experience.

11+ Maths and 11+ English tests will seem more familiar to your child. 11+ Maths tests will be of a problem solving nature and get harder as children progress through the paper.

11+ English assessments typically contain a comprehension test or a writing assessment. Often they contain both. They may also have a Cloze test. Again, practice makes perfect.

Most important of all is that your child prepares for the tests that they will be facing.

With enough practice, your child can walk into the actual exam feeling far more confident and much more likely to pass.

Is all this too much to read and take in? Ok - here's the most important take-away - Don't delay, start preparing today.

Understanding your local grammar school system isn't necessarily very simple
Understanding your local grammar school system isn't necessarily very simple

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