The 11+ Exam: A Comprehensive Guide
The 11+ exam often stirs a mix of curiosity and concern for families. Which schools require this assessment? Is private tuition essential, or can students prepare independently? Are all schools testing children the same way? At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, our mission is to simplify and demystify the senior school application process. Over the years, our expert tutors have successfully supported hundreds of families, helping children develop the skills and confidence they need to excel.Many independent senior schools and all state grammar schools require children to sit an 11+ exam.
What is the 11+ Exam?
The 11+ exam is a selective entry test required by many independent senior schools and all state grammar schools. However, there is no single, nationwide format. Each school or consortium designs its own assessment criteria, though the exams generally test the following areas:
- Numerical Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Comprehension
- Creative Writing
State grammar schools typically administer the 11+ exam in early autumn of Year 6, often offering a practice exam beforehand. Independent school entrance exams usually take place in January of Year 6.
ISEB Common Pre-Test for Independent Schools
Some prestigious independent schools, including Harrow, Eton College, and Westminster, use the ISEB Common Pre-Test for initial assessment. This adaptive, standardised test evaluates a student’s ability and academic potential. Results help schools determine whether to invite students to sit further entrance exams at age 13. The Common Pre-Test can be taken at home or school, usually during Year 6 or Year 7, with no fixed assessment date.
Expert Tuition Tailored to Your Needs
At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, our team of highly qualified tutors is dedicated to helping students succeed. From full-time professional tutors to experienced teachers from leading independent schools, our experts are knowledgeable, patient, and well-versed in school-specific application processes.
We match each student with a specialist tutor who has a proven track record of success at the schools you’re targeting. Your assigned tutor will understand precisely how your child will be assessed and tailor their approach to maximise your child’s potential.
Our rigorous recruitment process ensures we only work with the very best educators. All tutors must:
- Demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience
- Provide three professional references
- Attend an in-depth interview
- Hold a current DBS certificate
Additionally, we offer ongoing training to keep our tutors up-to-date with any changes in the 11+ curriculum.
How Our Tutors Prepare Students
Preparation for the 11+ exam involves more than mastering content—it’s about developing the right techniques and mindset. Our tutors focus on:
- Exam Technique: Familiarising students with the format and question styles through targeted practice papers.
- Skill Development: Strengthening areas such as verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
- Tailored Support: Designing bespoke learning plans based on each child’s strengths and areas for improvement.
At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, we aim to inspire more than academic excellence. Our tutors work to boost children’s confidence, foster a love for learning, and make even the most challenging subjects engaging and enjoyable. We believe that children perform best when they feel happy, motivated, and supported.
11+ Exam Results
This was our first child to prepare for the 11+ and we were so glad we found Hampstead & Frognal Tutors. The advice on preparing for the London day schools for all of the subjects including both English and Maths was extremely useful. The 11+ tutors were very knowledgeable in terms of resources, and guidance on planning for the revision practice, and 11+ test practice. We were very satisfied with the company and it’s tutors. Our son received offers from several schools and we were fortunate to be able to accept our first choice school which was also the nearest to us.
Nadia, LONDON W6
11+ Schools: Examples of some we cover
Researching the admissions procedures of different schools can be arduous. To help you with the task, we have set out a list of sample of the schools we cover, along with ways they assess their applicants.
City of London School (Boys)
| Admissions | This school offers 10+, 11+ and 13+ entry. 11+ is the largest intake, with 60 boys being accepted. |
| Tests | Boys sit Part 1 and Part 2 on the same day. Part 1 is an online assessment (105 minutes) including English, Mathematics, VR, NVR and problem solving and Comprehension. Part 2 is a 30 minute hand written creative writing assessment. 13+ candidates would additionally need to sit the ISEB pre-test during their year 6 in prep school. |
| Interview | Candidates who perform well in these examinations will be in invited back for a 15-20 minute interview. Interviews usually take place in January of the year of entry. This affords the school a chance to know your son beyond his examination results. |
| Key Dates | The entrance exam takes place in the November during their year 5 for 10+ and year 6 for 11+ and 13+. A place is offered on the evidence of both the exams and the interview. |
| Scholarships | Academic scholarships are offered on the basis on boys’ performance in the entrance exams. |
City of London School for Girls
| Admissions | This school accepts 75-80 girls in Year 7. |
| Tests | There are two rounds of assessments. The first assessment is a one hour CEM test assessing numerical skills and VR and NVR. The second round is a written 45 minute English papers and a 45 minute maths paper. |
| Interview | If your child performs well in the tests, they will have an interview in the January of year 6. |
| Key Dates | The first assessment is sat in Year 6 mid November. If successful girls are invited for the second assessment in early January. A place is offered on the evidence of both the exams and the interview. |
| Scholarships | The school offers Music Scholarships but does not offer academic scholarships. |
St Paul’s Boys’ School
| Admissions | This school offers 11+ and 13+ entry. Around 36 boys are admitted at 11+ entry point. Boys from state primary schools may sit the 11+ deferred exam in Year 5. Boys from independent schools which finish at age 11 sit the 11+ exam in Year 6. This exam is also open to boys at state primary schools. |
| Tests | Year 6 11+ applicants must sit the ISEB online pre-test. If they are successful, they will invited back to sit written examinations in English and Mathematics. Year 6 13+ candidates follow similar route taking the ISEB online pre-test and English and Maths tests in year 6. 13+ candidates will also sit the ISEB common entrance tests in the summer term of year 8. |
| Interview | Boys who perform well in the 11+ written tests are invited back for a short interview. These interviews take place the week following the tests. Successful 13+ candidates are invited back an interview. |
| Key Dates | 11+ ISEB online Pre-Test end of November or early December, Entrance Exam in January followed by interviews.
13+ ISEB online Pre-Test October-November, Written Assessment in January during Year 6. Interviews between January and May of year 6. ISEB common entrance and St Paul’s Scholarship tests take place during April/May of Year 8. |
| Scholarships | Academic scholarships are awarded to ‘a few exceptional candidates’ at 11+. To qualify for a scholarship at 13+ candidates must sit Compulsory papers in English, History, Geography, Latin, French, Theology & Philosophy, Mathematics and Science. There is an optional paper in Greek and candidates are encouraged to sit it if they have reached a reasonable standard. |
St Paul’s Girls’ School
| Admissions | 11+ is the main point of entry into the senior school. |
| Tests | In November of Year 6, all candidates must complete the CEM Computer Test. It is a cognitive ability test of verbal, numerical and non-verbal ability. |
| Interview | If successful, girls will be invited to sit written tests in English, Mathematics and Comprehension. These tests are sat at the beginning of January. |
| Key Dates | If your child performs well in the entrance exam, she will be invited to a 20-25 minute interview at the end of January. |
| Scholarships | Music Scholarships are offered although no academic scholarships are offered at 11+ entry. |
Highgate School
| Admissions | Approximately 80 pupils (boys and girls) join the school in Year 7 joining around 105 pupils from the Junior School. |
| Tests | Candidates sit 3 papers: English, Mathematics, and a non-verbal reasoning paper. |
| Interview | A significant proportion of candidates are interviewed in January for a group interview and a taster lesson. |
| Key Dates | The 11+ test is sat in the December of Year 6. |
| Scholarships | No academic scholarships are awarded at 11+, although the school offers music awards at 11+ and again at 16+. |
Westminster Under School
| Admissions | Applicants to Westminster Under School may only apply for entry at either 11+. For the 11+ Westminster intake is 28 day children. |
| Tests | In the November of Year 6, boys sit the online ISEB Common Pre-tests. In January, a shortlist of 100 boys are invited to sit written tests in English and Maths at Westminster under School. |
| Interview | Approximately 60 boys who took the written tests attend an interview with a senior member of staff. |
| Key Dates | Year 6 boys sit the ISEB Test in November of Year 6. In January, some boys are invited to sit written tests in English and Maths. |
| Scholarships | No academic scholarships are offered at 11+. |
Is 11+ tuition right for your child?
Children only get one chance at the 11 plus, and how they perform determines where they will go next. Parents can make a valuable contribution to their child’s learning. Many parents with the time and knowledge manage successfully without professional help. However, if you work full time, the commencement of extra-schooling can be a challenge. Similarly, if English is not your first language, or you struggle with Maths, preparing your child for the 11 plus exams can seem daunting.
Our tutors are experienced, highly trained and share a passion for education. They are committed to helping children achieve their full academic potential. At Hampstead and Frognal tutors, we have a proven track record and families world-wide rely upon our outstanding professional tutors. With care and enthusiasm, our tutors prepare children for the school that is right for them.
