GLECTA TUTORING • 2026 EDITION
The Complete 11+ Guide for Parents
Everything you need: exam formats, registration deadlines, mock test calendars, and expert preparation strategies — all in one place.
53+
Schools & Counties
164
Grammar Schools
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Mock Test Centres
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THE BASICS
What Is the 11+ Exam?
A selective entrance test taken in Year 6, determining entry to grammar and selective schools across England.
When Is It Taken?
Year 6 (age 10–11). Exams typically held in September, with results in October — before school application deadlines.
Subjects Tested
English (comprehension, grammar, vocabulary), Maths (KS2 Y5/6), Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and sometimes Writing.
Which Schools?
164 grammar schools across England plus selective schools in Northern Ireland. Results in October; CAF deadline 31 October.
History
Introduced in 1944 (Butler Act). Abolished in most areas by the 1970s. Today grammar schools consistently top UK league tables.
FORMATS
Exam Boards & Formats
Different boards test different skills. Know your target school's board before you begin preparation.
| Board | Subjects | Format | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment Most Common | English, Maths, VR, NVR | Separate subject papers, mostly MCQ | English: vocab + comprehension; Maths: arithmetic → algebra |
| CEM (Durham) Tricky | Mixed: English, Maths, VR, NVR | Short timed sections; mixed subjects | Strong vocab focus; no official past papers available |
| FSCE | English, Maths, Writing | MCQ + written components | Growing adoption among selective schools |
| SET (Sutton) London Focus | English, Maths | 45-min MCQs per subject | Second rounds include written papers |
| CSSE (Essex) | English, Maths | Multiple papers | Used by 9 Essex consortium schools |
| Kent Test | Reasoning, Maths, English | Computer-adaptive + written | Taken by all 32 Kent grammar schools |
SCHOOL-SPECIFIC
London's Top School Formats
| School | Round 1 | Round 2 | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBS – Henrietta Barnett School, Barnet | GL Assessment (English, VR, NVR) | School-written English & Maths | 1 Apr – 1 Jul 2026 |
| QE Boys – Queen Elizabeth's, Barnet | Two MCQs: English + Maths | — | TBC (check school) |
| Latymer – Enfield | SET-style assessment | English & Maths papers | 17 Mar – 2 Jun 2026 |
| St Olave's – Orpington, Bromley | SET-style MCQs (Stage 1) | Written English & Maths (Stage 2) | 8 Jun – 29 Jun 2026 |
| Tiffin Girls' – Kingston | Stage 1 test | Stage 2 (shortlisted only) | 3 Jun – 1 Sep 2026 |
| Tiffin School – Kingston (Boys) | Stage 1 test | Stage 2 (shortlisted only) | 5 Jun – check school |
| Newstead Wood – Bromley | School 11+ exam | — | 1 May – 30 Jun 2026 |
| Wilson's School – Sutton | Sutton SET | — | 1 May – 1 Aug 2026 |
2026
11+ Registration Deadlines
Registration for Year 6 entry (September 2026). Don't miss these critical deadlines — late applications are rarely accepted.
Dates marked below are for 2026 11Plus (11+) exams. Many deadlines fall in May–July 2026 for the upcoming exam cycle. Always verify directly with the school or county website before registering.
Henrietta Barnett School (HBS)
BARNETOpens:1 April 2026
Closes:1 July 2026
Format:GL Round 1 → School R2
Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet (QE Boys)
BARNETOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:11 July 2026
Format:English + Maths MCQ
The Latymer School
ENFIELDOpens:17 March 2026
Closes:2 June 2026
Exam:3–5 September 2026
St Olave's Grammar School
BROMLEYOpens:8 June 2026
Closes:29 June 2026
Stage 1:18 September 2026
Stage 2:13 November 2026
Newstead Wood School
BROMLEYOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:30 June 2026
Exam:25–26 September 2026
Tiffin Girls' School
KINGSTONOpens:3 June 2026
Closes:1 September 2026
Tiffin School (Boys)
KINGSTONOpens:5 June 2026
Exam:Stage 1 + Stage 2
London Borough of Bexley (Bexley Selection Test)
BEXLEYOpens:1 March 2026
Closes:31 March 2026
Exam:2–10 September 2026
Results:Early October 2026
London Borough of Redbridge
REDBRIDGEOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:15 June 2026
London Borough of Sutton (Sutton SET)
SUTTONOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:1 August 2026
London Borough of Wandsworth (Year 6 Test)
WANDSWORTHOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:1 September 2026
Wilson's School
SUTTONOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:1 August 2026
Kent (Kent Test)
KENTOpens:2 June 2026
Closes:7 July 2026
Schools:32 Grammar Schools
Medway (Medway Test)
MEDWAYOpens:19 May 2026
Closes:13 June 2026
Schools:6 Grammar Schools
Essex (CSSE Consortium)
ESSEXOpens:12 May 2026
Exam:19 September 2026
Schools:10 consortium schools
Essex (Chelmsford County High School for Girls)
ESSEXOpens:2 April 2026
Closes:4 June 2026
Note:Not part of CSSE
Buckinghamshire (13 Grammar Schools)
BUCKSOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:2 June 2026
Practice:8 September 2026
Test Day:10 September 2026
Slough Consortium (4 Schools)
SLOUGHOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:5 June 2026
Exam:19 September 2026
Berkshire – Reading School
BERKSHIREOpens:25 March 2026
Closes:17 May 2026
Test:16 July 2026
Berkshire – Kendrick School
BERKSHIREOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:1 July 2026
Hertfordshire – South West Herts Consortium
HERTFORDSHIREOpens:1 April 2026
Closes:5 June 2026
Test:5 September 2026
Schools:7 partially selective schools
Hertfordshire – Dame Alice Owen's School
HERTFORDSHIREOpens:29 April 2026
Closes:10 June 2026
Exam P1:1 September 2026
Exam P2:26 September 2026
Birmingham – West Midlands Grammar Partnership
BIRMINGHAMOpens:6 May 2026
Closes:27 June 2026
Schools:8 Grammar Schools
Warwickshire – West Midlands Partnership
WARWICKSHIREOpens:12 May 2026
Closes:27 June 2026
Schools:6 Grammar Schools
Shropshire – West Midlands Partnership
SHROPSHIREOpens:6 May 2026
Closes:27 June 2026
Gloucestershire (7 Schools – Grammar Entrance Test)
GLOUCESTERSHIREOpens:18 May 2026
Closes:26 June 2026
Exam:12 September 2026
Greater Manchester – Trafford Consortium
TRAFFORDOpens:24 April 2026
Closes:20 June 2026
Schools:7 Grammar Schools
Greater Manchester – Saint Ambrose College
MANCHESTEROpens:Mid-April 2026
Exam:18 September 2026
Greater Manchester – Loreto Grammar School
MANCHESTEROpens:27 June 2026 (Open Day)
Exam:18 September 2026
Lincolnshire (LCGS Consortium – 15 Schools)
LINCOLNSHIREOpens:9 January 2026
Closes:31 March 2026
Exam:11–19 September 2026
Lincolnshire – Caistor Grammar School
LINCOLNSHIREOpens:Early March 2026
Closes:14 August 2026
Merseyside – Wirral Admissions Test
MERSEYSIDEOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:31 May 2026
Schools:6 Grammar Schools
Merseyside – St Anselm's College
MERSEYSIDEOpens:1 January 2026
Closes:31 July 2026
Merseyside – The Liverpool Blue Coat School
MERSEYSIDEOpens:24 April 2026
Closes:1 September 2026
Lancashire (4 Grammar Schools)
LANCASHIRELRGS Opens:13 April 2026
CRGS Opens:1 June 2026
Closes:4–11 September 2026
Exam:26 September 2026
North Yorkshire – Ripon Grammar School
N. YORKSHIREOpens:1 April 2026
Closes:30 June 2026
North Yorkshire – Ermysted's Grammar School
N. YORKSHIREOpens:1 April 2026
Closes:1 September 2026
North Yorkshire – Skipton Girls' High School
N. YORKSHIREOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:1 August 2026
West Yorkshire – Crossley Heath & North Halifax Grammar
W. YORKSHIREOpens:21 March 2026
Closes:27 June 2026
West Yorkshire – Heckmondwike Grammar School
W. YORKSHIREOpens:12 May 2026
Closes:23 June 2026
Cumbria – Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Penrith
CUMBRIAOpens:1 May 2026
Closes:12 July 2026
Exam:17 September 2026
Devon – Plymouth Consortium (DHSB, DHSG, PHSG)
DEVONOpens:27 April 2026
Closes:31 August 2026
Exam:12 + 19 September 2026
Devon – Colyton Grammar School
DEVONOpens:31 March 2026
Exam:12 September 2026
Devon – Torbay Grammar Schools (CFGS, TBGS, TGGS)
DEVONOpens:1 March 2026
Closes:15 July 2026
Exam:19 September 2026
Dorset (The Consortium – 4 Schools)
DORSETOpens:13 April 2026
Closes:4 September 2026
Exam:26 September 2026
Wiltshire (BWS – Salisbury)
WILTSHIREOpens:1 April 2026
Closes:30 June 2026
Wiltshire – South Wilts Grammar School
WILTSHIREOpens:2 June 2026
Closes:1 September 2026
2026 EXAMS
Key Exam Dates by County
Confirmed and provisional exam dates for September–October 2026. Click each county to expand full key dates.
- 1 May 2026Registration opens
- 2 June 2026Registration closes
- 8 Sep 2026Practice test day
- 10 Sep 2026Actual test day
- 9 Oct 2026Results released to parents
- 31 Oct 2026School places application deadline (CAF)
- 1 Mar 2027National Offers Day
- 1 Mar 2026Bexley Selection Test registration opens
- 31 Mar 2026Registration closes
- 3 Aug 2026Test centre details published online
- 2–10 Sep 2026Test at Bexley primary schools
- 7–10 Sep 2026Test at Bexley grammar schools
- Early Oct 2026Results released
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 1 Mar 2027National Offers Day
- 1 Apr 2026HBS registration opens
- 1 Jul 2026HBS registration closes
- Early Sep 2026HBS Round 1 exam
- Late Sep 2026HBS Round 1 results
- Early Oct 2026HBS Round 2 exam (invitation only)
- Mid Oct 2026Final results – HBS
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 1 May 2026Newstead Wood registration opens
- 8 Jun 2026St Olave's registration opens
- 29 Jun 2026St Olave's registration closes
- 30 Jun 2026Newstead Wood registration closes
- 18 Sep 2026St Olave's Stage 1 exam (SET)
- 25–26 Sep 2026Newstead Wood 11+ exam
- Mid Oct 2026St Olave's Stage 1 results; Newstead Wood results
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 13 Nov 2026St Olave's Stage 2 exam (invitation only)
- 1 Mar 2027National Offers Day
- 17 Mar 2026Registration opens
- 30 Apr 2026Open afternoon (Year 5 only, 12–5pm)
- 2 Jun 2026Registration closes
- 3–5 Sep 2026Assessment test days (one date per child)
- Mid Oct 2026Results released to parents
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 1 Mar 2027National Offers Day
- May 2026Registration opens (exact date TBC)
- Sep 2026Kent Test takes place
- Oct 2026Results released
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 1 Mar 2027National Offers Day
2026 Kent Test exact dates are typically published in May. Check kent.gov.uk regularly.
- 12 May 2026CSSE 11+ registration opens
- TBCRegistration closing date (check csse.org.uk)
- 19 Sep 2026CSSE 11+ test day
- Mid Oct 2026Results released
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 1 Mar 2027National Offers Day
- 18 May 2026Registration opens
- 26 Jun 2026Registration closes
- 7 Sep 2026Test centre details sent to parents
- 12 Sep 2026Test day
- Mid Oct 2026Results released
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 1 Mar 2026Registration opens
- 15 Jul 2026Registration closes
- 19 Sep 2026Test day
- 12 Oct 2026Results released to parents
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 13 Apr 2026Registration opens
- 4 Sep 2026Registration closes
- 26 Sep 2026Exam day
- 16 Oct 2026Results released
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 13 Apr 2026LRGS registration opens
- 1 Jun 2026CRGS & LGGS registration opens
- 4 Sep 2026CRGS & LGGS registration closes
- 7 Sep 2026LRGS registration closes
- 11 Sep 2026LGGS registration closes
- 26 Sep 2026Exam day – LGGS, LRGS, CRGS
- Mid Oct 2026Results released
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 9 Jan 2026Registration opens
- 31 Mar 2026Registration closes
- 11–12 Sep 2026VR paper
- 18–19 Sep 2026NVR paper
- Oct 2026Results released
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 1 Apr 2026SW Herts registration opens
- 29 Apr 2026Dame Alice Owen's registration opens
- 5 Jun 2026SW Herts registration closes
- 10 Jun 2026Dame Alice Owen's registration closes
- 5 Sep 2026SW Herts academic ability test
- 1 Sep 2026Dame Alice Owen's Part 1 exam + first round music test
- 26 Sep 2026Dame Alice Owen's Part 2 exam (English & Maths)
- 15 Oct 2026SW Herts results day
- 23 Oct 2026Dame Alice Owen's Round 2 results
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
- 28 Apr 2026Information evening for parents
- 1 May 2026Registration opens
- 5 Jun 2026Registration closes
- 19 Sep 2026Exam day
- Mid Oct 2026Results released
- 31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
ACROSS ENGLAND
Grammar Schools by County
164 grammar schools remain across England. Scotland and Wales have no grammar schools. Northern Ireland uses the Transfer Test.
| Region / County | No. of Grammar Schools | Test Used |
|---|---|---|
| Bexley (London) | 4 | Bexley Selection Test |
| Birmingham | 8 | West Midlands Grammar Partnership |
| Buckinghamshire | 13 | TBGS Transfer Test |
| Cheshire | 1 | School-specific |
| Cumbria | 1 | School-specific (QE Penrith) |
| Devon (Plymouth, Torbay, East Devon) | 7 | Quest / School-specific |
| Dorset | 4 | The Consortium Test |
| Essex (CSSE) | 10 | CSSE consortium test |
| Essex (CCHS – standalone) | 1 | School-specific |
| Gloucestershire | 7 | Grammar Schools' Entrance Test |
| Greater London – Barnet | 3 (QE, HBS) | GL / School-specific |
| Greater London – Bromley | 2 (St Olave's, Newstead Wood) | SET / School-specific |
| Greater London – Enfield | 1 (Latymer) | SET-style |
| Greater London – Kingston | 2 (Tiffin, Tiffin Girls') | School-specific 2-stage |
| Greater London – Redbridge | Selective places | 11+ borough test |
| Greater London – Sutton | Multiple (incl. Wilson's) | Sutton SET |
| Greater London – Wandsworth | Selective places | Year 6 Test |
| Halifax (W. Yorkshire) | 2 (Crossley Heath + N. Halifax) | School consortium |
| Kent | 32 | Kent Test |
| Lancashire | 4 | School-specific |
| Lincolnshire (LCGS) | 15 | LCGS consortium test |
| Lincolnshire (Caistor) | 1 | School-specific |
| Medway | 6 | Medway Test |
| Merseyside (Wirral) | 6 | Wirral Admissions Test |
| Merseyside (other) | 3 (St Anselm's, Upton Hall, Blue Coat) | School-specific |
| North Yorkshire (Ripon, Skipton) | 2+ | School-specific |
| Berkshire (Reading) | 2–3 | School-specific |
| Berkshire (Slough) | 4 | Slough Consortium |
| Southend-on-Sea | 4 | CSSE / School-specific |
| South West Hertfordshire | 7 (partially selective) | SW Herts Consortium |
| Trafford (Greater Manchester) | 5 + 2 independents | Trafford Consortium |
| Warwickshire | 6 | West Midlands Partnership |
| Wiltshire | 2 | School-specific |
| West Yorkshire (Heckmondwike) | 1 | School-specific |
| Shropshire | Multiple via WMGSP | West Midlands Partnership |
STRATEGY
How to Prepare
A proven preparation framework from GLECTA's expert tutors — used by thousands of successful grammar school pupils.
Year 4–5 (18 months before)
🧱 Build the Foundations
Focus on core KS2 Maths and English. Build vocabulary through wide reading. Don't rush into practice papers yet.
March–June (Year 5)
📝 Begin Structured Practice
Introduce past papers (untimed first). Identify weak areas. Start bi-weekly mock sittings with GLECTA.
Summer (Year 5)
🔥 Intensive Preparation
Weekly timed mocks. Focus on weakest subjects. Attend GLECTA summer courses. Register for target schools.
September (Year 6)
🏆 Exam Day
Stay calm. Good sleep + healthy breakfast. Read carefully, manage time, check answers. Your preparation pays off here.
October (Year 6)
📬 Results & Next Steps
Results arrive. A "pass" doesn't guarantee a place — catchment and siblings also matter. Appeals possible if needed.
Start Early
12–18 months before the exam gives the best preparation window.
Targeted Practice
Use past papers untimed first, then timed. Identify weak spots early.
Mock Exams
Bi-weekly from March, weekly from July. Builds speed and stamina.
Growth Mindset
Manage stress. Keep hobbies. Setbacks are part of the learning journey.
Wide Reading
Vocabulary is the hidden key. Read varied texts — fiction, non-fiction, news.
Exam Day Tips
Pencils, eraser, water, snack. Read carefully. Pace yourself. Check answers.
GLECTA MOCK TEST CALENDARS
Centre-wise 11+ Mock Tests (2026)
Structured mock exams across 4 London centres — covering all major 11+ formats. Held every Sunday, March–September 2026.
HARROW • NORTH LONDON
Harrow 11+ Mocks
📍 Krishna Avanti Primary School, Harrow
QE / HBS
CSSE
KENT
FSCE
LATYMER
REDBRIDGE
- Tailored to the latest 11+ exam patterns
- Real exam conditions with strict timing
- Detailed Cohort Analysis Report (CAR)
- Pass / Not Pass Predictable Analysis
- Papers returned for home review
- Build exam confidence from early on
From £15 per mock test
ILFORD • EAST LONDON
Ilford 11+ Mocks
📍 Valentines High School, Ilford, IG2 6HX
QE / HBS
CSSE
KENT
FSCE
LATYMER
REDBRIDGE
⏰ Timings: 3:00 PM – 5:15 PM (Sundays, March–August 2026)
- Covers Redbridge, Bexley, Kent, CSSE, QE, HBS
- Real exam conditions with strict timing
- Detailed Cohort Analysis Report (CAR) after every mock
- Pass / Not Pass Predictability Analysis
- Papers returned for detailed review
From £15 per mock test
BEXLEY • SOUTH EAST LONDON
Bexley 11+ Mocks
📍 Harris Academy Greenwich, Middle Park Ave, SE9 5EQ
MEDWAY
KENT
BEXLEY
⏰ Timings: 10:00 AM – 12:15 PM (Sundays, March–August 2026)
- Carefully designed Bexley-style mock tests
- Run by Bexley & Kent Parents
- Real exam environment with timed conditions
- Cohort Analysis Report (CAR) — see where your child stands
- Pass / Not Pass Predictability Analysis
- Papers returned for review
From £15 per mock test
MEDWAY • KENT
Medway 11+ Mocks
📍 Holcombe Grammar School, Chatham, ME4 6JB
MEDWAY
KENT
BEXLEY
⏰ Timings: 10:00 AM – 12:15 PM (Sundays, March–August 2026)
- Designed using latest Medway-style exam patterns
- Run by Medway & Kent Parents
- Practice under real timed exam conditions
- Track improvement across multiple mocks
- Detailed Cohort Analysis Report (CAR)
- Answer sheets returned for detailed review
From £15 per mock test
BARNET • NORTH LONDON
Barnet 11+ Mocks
📍 Ark Pioneer, Barnet Lane, Barnet, EN5 2DW
QE
HBS
GL
LATYMER
⏰ Timings: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Sundays, March–August 2026) • Run by HBS & QE Parents
- Tailored to the latest 11+ exam patterns for QE/HBS/GL
- Real exam experience with strict timing
- Detailed Cohort Analysis Report (CAR)
- Pass / Not Pass Predictable Analysis
- Take Papers with you for Analysis
From £15 per mock test
⭐ Why Thousands of Parents Choose GLECTA
✅ Tailored to the latest 11+ patterns
✅ Cohort Analysis Report after every mock
✅ Pass / Not Pass predictable analysis
✅ Papers returned for home review
✅ Real exam conditions with strict timing
✅ 4.9★ on Trustpilot – Verified Company
QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideally 12–18 months before the exam. Consistent preparation from Year 4 or Year 5 — including timed practice and mocks — can lead to strong results. The key is gradual, steady progress rather than last-minute cramming.
GL papers are more predictable in format, while CEM is known for its surprise elements and a heavy vocabulary focus. Both require targeted practice. CEM's lack of official past papers makes it harder to prepare for without specialist tuition.
SATs assess whether children meet the national curriculum standard — nearly all children take them in Year 6. The 11+ is a selective test measuring reasoning, problem-solving and speed under pressure, designed to identify the top academic performers for grammar school entry.
Not strictly — some children succeed with self-study. But structured tutoring (like GLECTA's) helps children learn exam-hall strategies, reduce costly mistakes, and build the confidence that comes from regular mock experience and expert feedback.
GLECTA recommends bi-weekly mocks from March to June, then weekly mocks from July until the September exam. This builds stamina, improves time management, and ensures your child is thoroughly familiar with exam conditions before the real thing.
Parents can appeal decisions, and timelines vary by county (typically October–November). Many excellent comprehensive and independent schools offer brilliant education. The preparation process itself builds transferable skills — resilience, focus, and reasoning — that serve children for life.
No. Passing the 11+ qualifies your child for consideration, but final offers depend on distance from school, sibling priority, and how many qualifying children applied. Some areas are extremely oversubscribed, so strong scores matter — not just passing the threshold.
GLECTA offers structured tuition (1-to-1 and group), bi-weekly and weekly mocks, personalised feedback reports after every session, exam-day strategy workshops, and access to WhatsApp parent support groups. Free resources including vocabulary lists and tips guides are also available.
Ready to Give Your Child the Best Chance?
Join thousands of families who trust GLECTA for structured 11+ preparation, expert mocks, and personalised feedback.