11 Plus Exam Dates 2025 & Beyond: Your Essential Guide
Navigate the 11+ exam calendar with confidence. Understand typical test schedules, registration deadlines, and where to find definitive dates for your region, ensuring you never miss a key milestone.
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Understanding the 11 Plus exam dates is crucial for effective preparation and application. While exact dates vary by region and school, the general timeline for registration, testing, and results tends to follow a similar pattern each year. This guide provides a clear overview to help you plan.
Typical 11+ Exam Timelines by Region
The 11+ exam schedule is managed by local authorities or grammar school consortia, leading to regional variations. Here's a look at common patterns in key areas.
London Boroughs
Many London boroughs run their own 11+ tests for local grammar schools. Dates are generally clustered in early to mid-September. Some schools may test on different days to allow for multiple applications.
Kent
The Kent Test (for Kent grammar schools) is typically held in early September for all applicants. Registration usually opens in June. Check the Kent County Council website for the official, confirmed dates each year.
Essex
Essex grammar schools, including those in Colchester, Chelmsford, and Southend, often conduct their tests in September. Many participate in a coordinated admissions scheme. Consult the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) website for specific dates.
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire operates a common admissions test (the Transfer Test) for its grammar schools. This exam usually takes place in early September. Details are available via the Buckinghamshire County Council website.
Other Regions
Areas like Berkshire, Trafford, Yorkshire, and selective independent schools each have their own schedules. Always refer to the specific school's admissions section or the relevant local council website for the most accurate and up-to-date dates.
Your Local Authority
The key to finding exact dates is to identify the local authority or grammar school consortium that governs admissions for your target schools. Their official websites will always provide the definitive calendar for registration, testing, and results.
General 11+ Timeline: Key Milestones
While specific dates vary, these are the typical months for important 11+ milestones. Mark them in your calendar!
| Milestone | Typical Timeframe | Action for Parents |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Registration Opens | May - June (Year 5) | Check school/consortium websites for exact opening dates and register promptly. |
| Exam Registration Closes | July (Year 5) | Ensure all registrations are completed well before the deadline. Do not miss this! |
| 11 Plus Exam Day(s) | Early September (Year 6) | Confirm specific dates and locations. Ensure your child is well-rested and prepared. |
| Exam Results Released | Mid-October (Year 6) | Results are typically sent out before the national secondary school application deadline. |
| Secondary School Application Deadline | 31st October (Year 6) | Submit your child's Common Application Form (CAF) with school preferences. |
| National Offer Day | 1st March (Year 6) | You will receive your child's secondary school offer on this day. |
Parent Insights on Managing the 11+ Calendar
Hear from other families who successfully navigated the 11+ process and managed their exam dates.
"Keeping track of all the different 11+ dates for London schools was a challenge, but knowing the typical pattern really helped us plan our applications and preparation schedule effectively."
"We marked the Kent Test date in bold as soon as it was announced. It gave us a clear target for our preparation, and we used Spiral Learning to keep us on track towards that date."
"The advice to check official school websites regularly was invaluable. Dates can sometimes shift slightly, and staying updated meant we avoided any last-minute surprises."
Frequently Asked Questions About 11+ Dates
Your common questions about 11+ exam schedules, answered.
The majority of 11 Plus exams take place in early to mid-September, at the very beginning of Year 6. However, some areas or independent schools may hold them at different times, often in October or even later in the academic year. Always check the specific dates for your chosen schools.
No, exam dates vary significantly by region and specific grammar school consortia. For instance, London boroughs, Kent, and Essex often have their own distinct exam dates. If you are applying to schools in different areas, your child might have multiple exam dates.
The most reliable source for precise 11 Plus exam dates is the official website of the grammar school, grammar school consortium, or local education authority you are applying to. Dates are typically announced well in advance, usually a year prior to the exam.
Registration periods for the 11 Plus usually open in May or June of Year 5 and close in July of Year 5, before the summer holidays. Missing the registration deadline will mean your child cannot sit the exam, so mark these dates carefully.
11 Plus exam results are usually released in mid-October, allowing parents time to make their secondary school preferences by the end of October national deadline. Exact dates will be published by the individual schools or consortia.
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