The 11+ explained
11+ exam boards and test providers explained
There is no single 11+ exam board. Each area, group of schools or school chooses who writes its test, and that decides what your child sees on the day. Find your area's test, then read what it is like.
By ExamKind Editorial TeamFacts checked 19 October 2026Last reviewed 19 October 2026
The tests, in plain words
The tests used in the areas we cover, then the tests used mainly by single schools and independent schools.
What you need to know
- The same provider can set a different test in each area.
- A school or area can change its test from one entry year to the next.
- To see the test for each school by year, use which test.
GL Assessment
A company that writes 11+ tests for many grammar school areas in England, and sets and marks the SEAG test in Northern Ireland. Each area chooses its own subjects and papers, so there is no single “GL test”.
What the source says
- 11+ tests vary from area to area, so a local test’s timings, topics and number of questions may differ from GL’s own materials
- free familiarisation papers to print; practice papers cost money
More about GL AssessmentAreas we cover that use it
Quest Assessments
A company that writes a separate 11+ test for each school or group of schools that uses it, so the subjects depend on where you apply. Quest says that it is part of the education company Atom Learning.
More about Quest AssessmentsWhat the source says
- each school’s Quest test is unique
- Quest Assessments is part of the education company Atom Learning
FSCE
Future Stories Community Enterprise
A not-for-profit test writer owned by Reading School. Its tests use what children learn at primary school up to the end of Year 5, some papers need short written answers, and it does not publish past papers.
What the source says
- the Key Stage 2 curriculum up to the end of Year 5
- no past papers; the content changes every year
More about FSCEAreas we cover that use it
CSSE
Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex
The group of Essex and Southend schools that share one 11+ test: an English paper and a maths paper, each worth half of the marks. Results are given as a total standardised score.
What the source says
- English (60 minutes plus 10 minutes reading) and maths (60 minutes)
- 303
More about CSSEAreas we cover that use it
Sutton SET
Selective Eligibility Test
The first-stage test shared by a group of schools in Sutton: two multiple-choice papers, in maths and English. Children who reach the standard are invited to a second-stage test at the grammar schools.
What the source says
- two multiple-choice papers (maths and English), no reasoning papers
- a second-stage exam for children who pass the SET
More about Sutton SETAreas we cover that use it
Kent Test
Kent Procedure for Entry to Secondary Education (PESE)
The 11+ for Kent grammar schools, run by Kent County Council. Children sit English, maths and reasoning tests, and are “assessed suitable” for grammar school if they reach the required standard.
Areas we cover that use it
SEAG transfer test
Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group
The not-for-profit group that runs the transfer test for selective schools in Northern Ireland. Children in Primary 7 (P7) sit two papers, English (or Irish) and maths, set and marked by GL Assessment.
What the source says
- two papers, English (or Irish) and maths
- Band 1 = top 40%; Bands 2–5 = 10% each; Band 6 = below the 20th percentile
More about SEAG transfer testAreas we cover that use it
Tests set by single schools or independent schools
School-set tests
An entrance test that a grammar school runs itself, instead of the area’s 11+ or as well as it. Many have two stages: a first test for everyone, then a second test for the children ranked highest.
What the source says
- Stage 1 and Stage 2
- Stage One and Stage Two
Areas we cover that use it
Set by single schools: see each school's page.
ISEB Pre-Test
Independent Schools Examinations Board
The organisation that runs the ISEB Pre-Test, an online test that many independent senior schools use. It is adaptive, which means the questions change with the child’s answers. It covers four subjects.
What the source says
- four online adaptive tests, 2 hours 15 minutes in total
- most children take the Pre-Tests once, in Year 6, for Year 7 entry; some senior schools use them ahead of Year 9 entry
More about ISEB Pre-TestAreas we cover that use it
Mostly used by independent schools.
Cambridge Insight (CEM)
A name you may see on 11+ practice books. Today it is Cambridge Insight, which sells an online entrance test called Cambridge Select Insight, mainly to selective independent schools. Check which test your schools use before you buy material.
What the source says
- a computer-based entrance assessment from Cambridge Insight
- no commercially available practice materials, including practice or past papers
More about Cambridge Insight (CEM)Areas we cover that use it
Mostly used by independent schools.
Test provider not confirmed yetfor 14 areas. Some run a test set by each school:
Who writes each area's test
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CSSE 11+ examination (English and Mathematics): written by | the CSSE's own 11+ examination | Source: Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), checked |
| Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass): written by | FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) | Source: Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire), checked |
| Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT): written by | GL Assessment | Source: The Bucks Grammar Schools (TBGS), checked |
| Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools 11+: written by | GL Assessment | Source: Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools, checked |
| Medway Test (GL Assessment, written for Medway Council): written by | GL Assessment | Source: Medway Council, checked |
| South West Herts Consortium tests (GL Assessment academic test; consortium music aptitude test): written by | GL Assessment (academic test) | Source: South West Herts Schools Consortium, checked |
| Torbay grammar schools 11+ (GL Assessment): written by | Not known | Not known: no official source states this |
| West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test: written by | GL Assessment | Source: West Midlands Grammar Schools, checked |
| Kent Test (Kent Procedure for Entry to Secondary Education, PESE): written by | Not known | Not known: no official source states this |
| Dorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): written by | Quest Assessments | Source: Bournemouth School, checked |
| Devon 11+ test (2028 entry): written by | Quest Assessments | Source: Quest Assessments (test provider), checked |
| Plymouth girls' grammar schools 11+ (Quest): written by | Quest Assessments | Source: Devonport High School for Girls, checked |
| Slough Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): written by | Quest Assessments | Source: Herschel Grammar School, checked |
In short
There is no single 11+ exam board. Each grammar school area, consortium or school chooses who writes its test, and that choice shapes what your child will see on the day. GL Assessment says most grammar schools use its tests, but Quest, FSCE, CSSE, the Sutton SET and school-written tests are all in use, and several areas are changing provider for 2028 entry. Start by finding out which test your target schools use.
Changes, links to preparation companies, and how to check
Why does the test provider matter?
The provider decides the format: which subjects are tested, whether answers are multiple choice or written, how long each paper is and how scores are reported. Two tests both called "the 11+" can look very different. GL Assessment itself says 11+ tests vary from area to area, so a local test’s timings, topics and number of questions may differ from GL’s own materialsGL Assessment: tests vary by areaChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.The source says: 11+ tests vary from area to area so please be aware that the exact timings, the combination of topics covered (for example, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, Maths and English) and the number of questions in your local 11+ test may differ from those in our familiarisation and practice materials.
View the official source. Preparing for the wrong format wastes time and can knock a child's confidence, so check your area or school page before buying anything.
Which providers are in use, and what are they like?
| Provider | Format in brief | Where you will meet it (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Usually multiple choice; may include English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, in local combinations | Buckinghamshire, West Midlands, Slough and others |
| Quest Assessments | A bespoke test for each school or consortium | Bexley, Wirral, Kingston (Tiffin); Bournemouth and Poole and Enfield (Latymer) from 2028 entry |
| FSCE | Curriculum-based, with written answers in some papers; no past papers | Reading; Gloucestershire and Trafford from 2028 entry |
| CSSE | Written English and maths papers | Essex and Southend |
| Sutton SET | Multiple-choice English and maths, then a written second stage | Sutton |
| School-set tests | Two-stage tests written by or for one school | Schools such as Tiffin, St. Olave's and The Henrietta Barnett School |
| SEAG | English (or Irish) and maths, two papers | Northern Ireland |
| ISEB Pre-Tests | Online, adaptive, four subjects | Many independent senior schools |
| Cambridge Insight (CEM) | An online entrance test sold to selective schools | See the CEM page |
Which areas are changing provider?
Official sources confirm these changes for children now in Year 5 (2028 entry) and younger:
- Gloucestershire: FSCE from 2028 entry, tested in July of Year 5Gloucestershire: change to FSCE testsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says:
The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test for entry into Year 7 in September 2028 will take place on Saturday 3 July 2027.
View the official source. - Trafford: FSCE from 2028 entry; Year 5 testing from 2029 entryTrafford: change to FSCE testsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford).The source says:
For entry to Year 7 in 2028, the test provider will be FSCE and the admissions test will be held in September of Year 6.
View the official source. - Bournemouth and Poole (the Dorset Consortium): GL for the September 2026 test (2027 entry); Quest from the September 2027 test (2028 entry)Quest: BcpChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says:
From September 2027 (for entry into Year 7 in 2028), our entrance tests will be provided by Quest Assessments.
View the official source. - The Latymer School: Quest from the September 2027 test (2028 entry)Quest: LatymerChecked 9 Oct 2026 against The Latymer School.The source says:
From September 2027 (for 2028 Entry), our 11+ assessments will be provided by Quest Assessments.
View the official source.
When a test changes, old practice materials may no longer match. Our area pages show which test applies to each entry year, and you can follow a school to hear about changes.
Are any providers linked to preparation companies?
Yes, at least one. Quest Assessments is part of the education company Atom LearningQuest: OwnershipChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Quest Assessments is part of the education company Atom Learning
View the official source, and its Dorset page describes Atom Learning's Atom Home product: it provides structured exam practice and KS2 learning across all subjectsQuest: Atom homeChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Atom Home provides structured exam practice and KS2 learning across all subjects
View the official source. Quest's website gives its registration as company number 10867907 (registered at Companies House as ATOM LEARNING LTD)Quest: Company numberChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Quest Assessments is registered and incorporated in England and Wales. Company Registration Number: 10867907
View the official source. We state this because families should know about links between test writers and companies that sell preparation; it is not a criticism of the quality of any test. ExamKind is not connected with any test provider: see our independence.
How do you find out which test your child will sit?
- Look up your area on find your 11+ area, or your school's own page.
- Check the entry year: the test for 2027 entry (today's Year 6) can differ from 2028 entry (today's Year 5).
- Read the official familiarisation material for that test. Most providers or consortia publish some for free; links are on each provider page.
Related pages
Sources
Facts on this page come from archived official sources checked on 9 October 2026: GL Assessment's 11+ pages, Quest Assessments' Dorset consortium page and website footer, Companies House, the Gloucestershire grammar schools (Pate's Grammar School admissions page), the Trafford Grammar School Consortium (Altrincham Grammar School for Girls admissions page), Bournemouth School and The Latymer School.
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