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11+ results day: what to do next

By ExamKind Editorial TeamFacts checked 19 October 2026Last reviewed 19 October 2026

In short

Most English 11+ areas send results in October, before the deadline for secondary school applications on 31 OctoberSchool place applications close (common application form, CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: You must apply for a secondary school place by 31 October.View the official source. Whatever the result, the next step is the same: apply to your home council by its deadline, listing schools in your real order of preference. A pass usually makes your child eligible but does not guarantee a place, and a result below the pass mark is not always the end of the road.

Facts used on this pagesources in each row
FactDetailSource
School place applications close (common application form, CAF)31 OctoberSource: GOV.UK, checked
Test results before the application deadlineadmission authorities must take all reasonable steps to tell you the test outcome before 31 October, and must make clear that the outcome does not by itself mean a selective placeSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
Buckinghamshire 2027 entry: Results9 October 2026 (by email, after 4pm)Source: Buckinghamshire Council, checked
SEAG (Northern Ireland): OutcomesSaturday 23 January 2027Source: SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group), checked
Buckinghamshire: Qualifying score121Source: The Bucks Grammar Schools (TBGS), checked
National Offer Day1 March (or the next working day if 1 March is a weekend or bank holiday)Source: GOV.UK, checked

When do 11+ results come out?

Each area sets its own date. The School Admissions Code says admission authorities must take all reasonable steps to tell you the test outcome before 31 October, and must make clear that the outcome does not by itself mean a selective placeTest results before the application deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: take all reasonable steps to inform parents of the outcome of ... selection tests before the closing date for secondary applications on 31 October so as to allow parents time to make an informed choice of school - while making clear that this does not equate to a guarantee of a selective place.View the official source. That is why most results arrive in October.

AreaResults for 2027 entry
Buckinghamshire9 October 2026 (by email, after 4pm)Buckinghamshire 2027 entry: ResultsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Buckinghamshire Council.The source says: Most parents will be informed of their child’s Secondary Transfer Test result by email, after 4pm on 9 October 2026.View the official source
Northern Ireland (SEAG)Saturday 23 January 2027SEAG (Northern Ireland): OutcomesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: It is planned that SEAG results will be released on Saturday 23rd January 2027.View the official source
Other areasOn each area's page as soon as we have verified the date; see 11+ dates by area

Independent schools send their own outcomes, usually later in Year 6, with offer dates set by each school or consortium.

What does the result actually mean?

Results usually come as a standardised score, sometimes with a statement such as "qualified" or "suitable for grammar school". How to read it depends on your area:

  • A qualifying score: in Buckinghamshire, for example, a score of 121Buckinghamshire: Qualifying scoreChecked 9 Oct 2026 against The Bucks Grammar Schools (TBGS).The source says: The qualifying score for Buckinghamshire grammar schools is a Secondary Transfer Test Score (STTS) of 121 or above.View the official source or more means a child is qualified.
  • A rank or score used for offers: some schools offer places in score order, so a higher score improves your position.
  • A score plus admission rules: many schools set a standard and then use distance, catchment or other rules.

Our guides to standardised scores and reading your results letter go into more detail.

What should you do if your child passed?

  1. Celebrate the effort, whatever happens next.
  2. Check each school's admission rules to see how likely an offer is. Past allocations, where councils publish them, are on our school pages.
  3. Apply to your home council by 31 OctoberSchool place applications close (common application form, CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: You must apply for a secondary school place by 31 October.View the official source, listing schools in your genuine order of preference. See how to rank your school preferences.
  4. Send any extra evidence a school asks for, such as pupil premium evidence or a supplementary form, by its own deadline.
  5. Include a school your child is likely to be offered, so you have a good outcome whatever happens.

What should you do if your child didn't pass?

First, look after your child: they need to know you are proud of them. Then, calmly:

  1. Check whether your area has a review. Some areas let you ask for a panel to look again before allocation. In Buckinghamshire this is called a Selection Review; see Bucks Selection Reviews explained.
  2. Check pupil premium routes. Some schools offer a few places to eligible children who score a little below the pass mark. See pupil premium priority.
  3. You can still name grammar schools on your application in most areas, and you can appeal if you are later refused a place. See reviews and appeals.
  4. Put real thought into your other choices. For most children the right school is one where they will be happy and do well.

Our guide what happens if my child doesn't pass the 11+? goes through this in more detail.

What happens after the application?

Councils send offers on National Offer Day: 1 March (or the next working day if 1 March is a weekend or bank holiday)National Offer DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: If either date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, offers are sent the next working day.View the official source. If you are not offered a grammar school place, you can ask to join waiting lists and you have the right to appeal. See reviews and appeals.

Sources

Facts on this page come from the School Admissions Code 2021 and GOV.UK school admissions guidance, SEAG's key dates, and our verified Buckinghamshire records, all archived on 9 October 2026.

ExamKind is independent and is not connected with any test provider, school or council. How we make our content.

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