11+ Test 2024 - Some Frequently Asked Questions

Registration for this year’s 11+ test will open soon, and no doubt many parents have a number of questions about the whole process.

So here are the most common questions I get asked every year about the 11+, including registration and key dates.

How do I register for this year’s 11+ test?

You can register via the Warwickshire County Council website here: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/grammar-schools-11-test/register-11-test

The website provides step-by-step instructions, hopefully making the whole process easier.

When can I register my child for the 11+ test?

Registration opens in May and will close on 30th June.

What if I miss the registration deadline?

You can still register your child, but they will be considered a late candidate which will affect their chances of being offered a place. The hierarchy of offered places looks something like this:

On-time candidate who achieves or exceeds the Automatic Qualifying Score (QS)
On-time candidate who does not achieve the QS but achieves or exceeds the minimum score for the waiting list
Late candidate who achieves or exceeds the Automatic Qualifying Score (QS)
Late candidate who does not achieve the QS but achieves or exceeds the minimum score for the waiting list

A grammar school will offer places to candidates at the top of this hierarchy, before working down the list. As soon as they run out of accepted places, they will not make any further offers unless more places become available. It is rare that they make offers to candidates at positions 3 and 4.

When will the test be?

Normally the test takes place on or around the second weekend in September.

Where will the test be?

The test normally takes place in multiple locations across the county, usually in secondary schools. Your venue will depend on your catchment area, and you will receive this information directly from Warwickshire County Council when the dates and venues have been confirmed.

Can I download some past 11+ papers?

The short answer is no. No past papers are ever released for the 11+, making official resources incredibly scarce. However, on the registration website you will see a documents and downloads section with some familiarisation sheets. These offer a few questions, as well showing how the answer paper will look so your child knows roughly what to expect.

There are a number of books available by Bond, CGP and other publishers which are very useful resources to help your child prepare for the type of questions they will face.

Remember, in 2021 Warwickshire switched from the CEM-style test to the more widely-used GL test, so make sure any books you buy follow this style.

What about practice tests?

Again, there is nothing official, but a few providers have written and put on practice 11+ tests which simulate the 11+ experience. We at Ingenia Education are one such provider (and you can find more information at https://www.ingenia-education.co.uk/11-test-centre), but there are others too which you can usually find with a quick Google search.

When will I receive my child’s results?

Parents will receive their child’s score in early-mid October. This will only tell you how well your child did in the test - it will not tell you whether or not they would be accepted into grammar school. You can then look back on previous years’ results to decide if you think your child has a chance of getting a place at grammar school.

Once you receive your child’s score, you will complete the secondary school application form and list your chosen grammar school as your top choice (assuming you think your child has a chance of being offered a place) as well as your choice of state secondary schools.

You will find out where your child was offered a place in the following March, when the county’s secondary school offers are released.

I hope this is a useful guide for you, but if you have any other questions then please get in touch via our Facebook or Instagram page, or emailing me at tim@ingenia-education.co.uk and I will do my best to help!

If you would like more information on the 11+, SATS or any other aspects of primary education, please contact us and we would love to help you. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and can learn more about our 11+ practice tests, tuition and education services at www.ingenia-education.co.uk.

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