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Looking for help to navigate the Buckinghamshire 11 plus test for September 2024 entry?
We've collated all the latest information, including:
Which grammar schools use the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (11 plus)
The format of the Buckinghamshire 11 plus, and the subjects your child will be assessed on
Expert guidance on how to help your child prepare
The Buckinghamshire 11 plus test: at a glance
Registration opens: 5th May 2023
Registration closes: 16th June 2023
Exam date: 14th September 2023
Exam board type: GL Assessment
Results: 13th October 2023
National school offer day: 1st March 2024
Admissions information: Buckinghamshire Council School Admissions
Appeals: undertaken by an independent appeal panel established for that school
Which schools use the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test?
What is the Secondary Transfer Test?
The 13 grammar schools in Buckinghamshire admit pupils based on their performance in the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (the 11 plus), taken in the September of Year 6. Each of the grammar schools in Buckinghamshire is an academy, so they are their own admission authorities. However, for the purpose of the 11 plus test, they work together as a consortium known as The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS), so there is only one test for all the schools. The Local Authority administers the test on behalf of the schools; more information can be found on TBGS website or the Buckinghamshire County Council website.
Buckinghamshire’s 11 plus registration process is unique: they operate an ‘opt-out’ system. If your child attends a Buckinghamshire primary school, your child will be automatically registered for the 11 plus test, unless you specifically request for them not to. If your child doesn’t attend a Buckinghamshire primary school, there are different registration requirements: find out if your child will be automatically registered here.
Your child will be given the opportunity to sit a shorter, unmarked practice test to help familiarise them with the structure, usually the week before the formal test. Both the practice and formal tests are taken at your child’s current primary school. If your child’s primary school is not in Buckinghamshire, they will be invited to one of the grammar schools to sit the tests.
What does the 11 plus test assess?
Children taking the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test will take two exam papers which assess English comprehension, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths.
Each test is administered in about one hour, including 15 minutes for reading instructions and completing practice exercises, and 45 minutes for the test questions. All questions are multiple-choice and children write their answers on separate answer booklets.
Paper 1: English comprehension and verbal reasoning
In the first paper, your child will be tested on technical English and verbal reasoning. They will have a reading comprehension task with a passage of text and related questions. These questions will test your child’s understanding of the text itself as well as the vocabulary choice, punctuation and spelling competency, and grammatical knowledge.
The verbal reasoning part of this paper follows GL question styles. It’s a good idea to familiarise your child with these question styles as the format stays the same each year.
Paper 2: non-verbal reasoning and maths
The first section of Paper 2 assesses non-verbal reasoning. Your child will be tested on their mathematical and scientific skills, including problem-solving and spatial awareness. They'll be given a selection of graphic puzzles and sequences and they must highlight areas of mistake as well as complete the patterns. These question styles are not taught at school, so home preparation is key.
The second section of Paper 2 tests your child’s knowledge of Key Stage 2 maths. This includes Year 6 concepts such as ratio, percentages, and algebra that your child will not yet have encountered in the classroom – so again, home preparation is key. Practice with arithmetic and problem-solving questions, rapid recall of number facts, and written calculation, will give your child a good foundation to perform well in this section.
Free 11+ resources
What is the pass mark for the Buckinghamshire 11 plus?
The 3 sections are weighted as follows:
English & verbal reasoning 50%
Non-verbal reasoning 25%
Maths 25%
The total of all raw scores from each section are standardised to avoid any potential disadvantage for age differences, giving your child their Secondary Transfer Test Score (STTS). If your child scores above 121 marks, they will be eligible for grammar school entry. Unlike other Local Authorities, Buckinghamshire does not rank the scores.
However, passing the 11 plus does not guarantee a place at your target school. You will need to apply to your target schools via the Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) by the end of October 2022. For children who have met the qualifying score of 121, the grammar schools will offer places depending on their own priority criteria.
How competitive is the Buckinghamshire 11 plus?
Due to the opt-out system, Buckinghamshire 11 plus test has a huge number of candidates per year. There are more children who reach the qualifying standard than places available, which means grammar schools are often oversubscribed. Approximately 37% of children who sit the exam will achieve the qualifying score.
Appeal success rates are low, but you can opt for a selection review if your child didn't qualify for a grammar school place. You can choose to appeal, but bear in mind there's a fee involved in requesting a paper remark.
When should I begin preparing my child for the 11 plus?
To give your child enough time to securely master all the content needed for the 11 plus, a good time to begin preparing is the summer term of Year 4 or in the autumn term of Year 5. This will allow your child to become confident and familiar with the testing process and styles of questions they will encounter.
The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test is designed to be academically challenging for children who are working above age-related expectations. If your child is not yet exceeding age-related expectations, it is helpful to start earlier and build their understanding of Key Stage 2 English and maths before progressing onto exam preparation.
How can I help my child prepare for the Buckinghamshire 11 plus test?
No surprises: make sure your child is familiar with all styles of questions they will experience in the test. This reduces the potential for panic on the day and will give them the confidence to answer the questions to the best of their ability.
If your child attends a Buckinghamshire primary school, they will be sent a small sample of familiarisation papers to your home address in the summer term of Year 5 for them to practise.
Develop their vocabulary: the technical English and verbal reasoning sections rely on a depth and breadth of vocabulary knowledge, which may include the names of unusual objects or descriptions. Reading for pleasure is a great way to support your child's development in these areas.
Tailor their learning journey: setting regular goals and celebrating achievements will help your child progress efficiently. With Atom Nucleus, you'll get data-driven insights into your child’s progress. Our adaptive algorithm tailors their learning journey and makes it easy to see where they need to focus next.
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Atom's algorithm keeps children on their ideal learning path, tailored to their unique learning style and pace to keep them challenged and motivated.
Buckinghamshire 11 plus practice papers
Atom Nucleus gives children access to unlimited online practice papers tailored to the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. Our online tests are designed to mirror the format and style of real 11 plus questions, so your child will go into the exam knowing exactly what to expect.
And what's more, everything is automatically marked for you.
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