If your child is at primary school in Buckinghamshire, the 11 plus will come up sooner than you might expect. Buckinghamshire is one of the few areas in England with a fully selective system, and the Secondary Transfer Test decides which children qualify for its 13 grammar schools. This guide explains how the test works, the key dates and how to help your child prepare calmly and confidently.
What Is the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test?
The Secondary Transfer Test, widely known as the Bucks 11 plus, is the entrance test for Buckinghamshire’s grammar schools. Children sit it in September of Year 6, and the results are used alongside each school’s admission rules to allocate places for the following September.
Who sets the test?
The test is set by GL Assessment. It is multiple choice, and answers are recorded on a separate answer sheet that is marked by machine.
What Does the Bucks 11 Plus Test?
Children sit two papers on the same day, each lasting around an hour, with a short break in between.
Paper 1: Verbal skills
- English comprehension
- Technical English, including grammar, punctuation and spelling
- Verbal reasoning, which involves solving problems using words and letters
Paper 2: Mathematical and non-verbal skills
- Mathematics, based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum
- Non-verbal reasoning, which uses shapes, patterns and pictures
- Spatial reasoning, which involves working with shapes in space
How Is the 11 Plus Scored?
Scores are age-standardised, so younger children in the year group are not disadvantaged. A standardised score of 121 or more means a child qualifies for a Buckinghamshire grammar school. Qualifying does not guarantee a place, because each grammar school applies its own oversubscription criteria, such as catchment area. Always check the admissions policies of the schools you are considering.
Key Dates in the Buckinghamshire 11 Plus Timeline
The dates change each year, so check Buckinghamshire Council’s website. As a guide, for entry in September 2027:
- Registration: 1 May to 2 June 2026, during the summer term of Year 5
- Practice test: 8 September 2026
- Secondary Transfer Test: 10 September 2026
- Results: 9 October 2026
- Secondary school application deadline: 31 October 2026
- National offer day: 1 March 2027
Registration for independent school pupils
Children at state-funded primary schools in Buckinghamshire are entered automatically unless their parents opt out. Children at independent schools, including prep schools, must be registered by their parents. If your child attends a prep school, put the registration window in your diary early in Year 5.
How to Help Your Child Prepare for the 11 Plus
Build strong foundations early
The best preparation starts long before Year 5. Children who read widely, talk about what they read and feel confident with number facts have a head start on both papers. Our guide to supporting early reading at home is a good place to begin with younger children.
Practise the question types
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning are not always taught directly in primary school, so it helps to become familiar with the formats. Short, regular practice works better than long sessions.
Keep it in proportion
Children pick up on adult anxiety. Keep conversations positive, protect time for play and rest, and remind your child that every route, grammar, independent or state, can lead to a happy and successful future.
Plan for every outcome
Visit a range of secondary schools and include both grammar and non-grammar options on your application. That way your child has a good choice, whatever the result.
How Griffin House Supports Children Through the 11 Plus
At Griffin House, preparation for the next stage is built into our teaching from the early years onwards. Our small classes mean teachers know exactly where each child needs support or stretch, and our broad curriculum develops the reading, reasoning and maths skills the test rewards. Year 6 pupils have one-to-one time with our Headteacher to prepare for secondary school interviews.
Our leavers go on to schools including Aylesbury Grammar School, Aylesbury High School, Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, John Hampden Grammar School and Wycombe High School, as well as independent and state schools. Find out more in our guide to grammar schools in Aylesbury and Buckinghamshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
A standardised score of 121 or above qualifies a child for a Buckinghamshire grammar school. Places are then allocated according to each school’s admission criteria.
Children sit the Secondary Transfer Test in September of Year 6, with a practice test a few days before.
If your child attends a state-funded Buckinghamshire primary school, they are entered automatically. If they attend an independent school or live outside the county, you must register them during the summer term of Year 5.
Strong reading, vocabulary and maths skills built throughout primary school are the best preparation. Many families start more focused familiarisation with the question types in Year 5.
Children who do not qualify can ask for a selection review, which considers additional evidence of their ability. Details are published by Buckinghamshire Council each year.
