How to Apply for the 11 Plus

Applying for the test is not the same as applying for a place

There are two separate steps with different deadlines. First you register your child to sit the 11 Plus with the relevant grammar school or admission authority. Second, you list your preferred schools on the secondary transfer application that every family submits to their home local authority for a Year 7 place.

Registering for the test does not secure a place, and listing a school on the transfer application does not register your child for the test. You usually need to do both.

Find your target schools and who runs admissions

Start by confirming which grammar schools you are aiming for and which body handles their entrance test. Some areas run a single shared test through the local authority, while many schools manage their own registration.

• Local authority tests: register through the council, often for several schools at once
• School or consortium tests: register on each school or consortium website separately
• Independent schools: register directly with each school, sometimes with a fee

When 11 Plus registration opens and closes

Registration windows are strict and they close months before the test itself. As a rough guide, registration for a September sitting often opens in the spring or early summer beforehand and closes over the summer, but the exact dates change every year and by region.

Because the dates move and a late application is rarely accepted, treat the registration deadline as the real deadline rather than the test date. Check each admission authority website at the start of Year 5 and again early in Year 6.

How to register, step by step

The exact form varies, but the process usually follows the same shape:

• Create an account on the admission authority or school portal
• Enter your child details, your home address and your contact information
• Choose the test or schools you are registering for
• Upload any required proof, such as proof of address or date of birth
• Submit before the deadline and save the confirmation email

Information and documents you will need

Have these ready before you start, as portals often time out:

• Your child full legal name and date of birth
• Your home address, which is used for catchment and may need proof
• An email address you check regularly for test details and results
• Details of any access arrangements your child needs, requested in advance with evidence

After you register

You should receive confirmation and, closer to the test, joining details such as the date, venue and what to bring. Keep an eye on your inbox and spam folder, since most communication is by email.

Remember to complete the separate secondary transfer application with your local authority by its national deadline, usually 31 October, listing your preferred schools in order. Results timing varies, so confirm when scores are released in your area.

Common application mistakes to avoid

A few errors catch families out every year:

• Assuming the test and the school place use the same form or deadline
• Missing the registration window because you were focused on the test date
• Forgetting to request access arrangements in advance
• Registering for the test but not listing the school on the local authority application