11+ English explained: what is tested and how to prepare
The 11+ is the entrance test some areas of England use to select pupils for grammar and other selective secondary schools. There is no single national 11+, so the first and most important step is to find out exactly what your area and your chosen schools use. This guide explains the English side in general terms.
It varies by area and school
The format, the subjects and the test provider differ between areas, groups of schools and sometimes individual schools. Some tests include English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, and others use only some of these. Some use multiple-choice answer sheets, and some use written answers. Some are set by a national test provider, and others are written locally. Because of all this, general 11+ books and websites are a guide only.
The best sources are always the websites of the schools you are interested in, and your local authority's admissions information. They will tell you which tests, which subjects, which dates and how places are decided.
Key dates to know
The tests are usually taken in the autumn term of Year 6, often in September or early October, and many schools ask families to register in advance over the summer. Separately, the application for a secondary school place in England is made through your local authority, opens on 1 September and closes on 31 October for entry the following September. Offers are sent on National Offer Day in early March. Check your area's own timetable, because registration and test dates differ.
What the English paper usually covers
Where there is an English paper, it commonly includes some or all of the following:
- Reading comprehension: a passage followed by questions that check understanding, inference and vocabulary.
- Vocabulary: word meanings, synonyms and antonyms, and choosing the right word in context.
- Grammar, punctuation and spelling, for example choosing the correct form, spotting errors or completing sentences.
- Writing, in some areas, which may be a short piece such as a story, description or argument, written in a set time.
Why reading comprehension matters most
Comprehension and vocabulary reward the same habits: reading widely, noticing how words are used and being able to say how you know. The passages can be harder than children are used to, and may include older or more formal language. Children who are used to reading a range of fiction and non-fiction cope better.
A calm preparation plan
- Start with the schools' own information, and find out which provider and format to prepare for.
- Build a daily reading habit of twenty minutes or so. Include non-fiction and some older writing.
- Keep a vocabulary notebook of new words your child meets, with a short meaning and a sentence. Revisit a few each week.
- Practise comprehension in short sessions, and ask how they know each answer.
- Once the format is familiar, add occasional timed practice with sample or past papers from the named provider. Mark them together and talk about mistakes.
- If writing is tested, practise planning and finishing a short piece in a set time, and rereading it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting too early and too intensively. Months of gentle routine usually serve a child better than a last-minute burst.
- Drilling past papers without discussing mistakes. The learning is in understanding why an answer was wrong.
- Ignoring vocabulary. Many wrong answers come from not knowing a single word.
- Rushing. Many children lose marks by not reading the question or passage carefully.
Keeping perspective
The 11+ is one route among several, and many excellent schools do not use it. Children who are tired or anxious do worse than they should. A steady, modest routine, with plenty of time for play and rest, is kinder and usually more useful. Whatever the outcome, a child who has built a reading habit and a stronger vocabulary has gained something real.
Common questions
Is there one national 11+?
No. It depends on the area and the school, so check with the schools you are interested in and your local authority.
When is it taken?
Usually in the autumn term of Year 6, often in September or early October, though some areas differ.
When do I apply for a secondary school place?
Applications to your local authority open on 1 September and close on 31 October for entry the following September. Check your authority's own dates.
Does every 11+ include writing?
No. Many tests have only comprehension, vocabulary and grammar. Some include a short writing task.
Get feedback on your child's writing
LiteracyLab AI reads a child's own writing and gives specific feedback: what worked, one thing to try next, and a corrected version, matched to their year and curriculum. The Free plan includes 3 pieces a month and needs no card.