Buckinghamshire 11+ Guide for Parents
Buckinghamshire grammar school entry is managed through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, formerly known as the 11+. The test is used for entry to the grammar schools that work together through The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools.
This guide explains what the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test assesses, which skills pupils should build, and how to use the Scholars Tutorial online platform and printed paper sets to prepare effectively.
What Is the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test?
The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test is the selection test used for Buckinghamshire grammar school entry. In Buckinghamshire, there are 13 grammar schools, and the grammar schools work together through The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools to manage transfer testing for the county.
Children who want to be considered for a Buckinghamshire grammar school place must sit the Secondary Transfer Test. A child who achieves a score of at least 121 is considered qualified for a Buckinghamshire grammar school.
Being qualified does not automatically guarantee a place at a particular school. Parents must still apply for secondary school places through the normal admissions process, and each grammar school has its own admissions policy and oversubscription rules.
Which Schools Are in The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools?
The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools includes the 13 grammar schools in Buckinghamshire. Parents should check each individual school’s admissions policy before applying.
| School | Type |
|---|---|
| Aylesbury Grammar School | Boys |
| Aylesbury High School | Girls |
| Beaconsfield High School | Girls |
| Burnham Grammar School | Co-educational |
| Chesham Grammar School | Co-educational |
| Dr Challoner’s Grammar School | Boys |
| Dr Challoner’s High School | Girls |
| John Hampden Grammar School | Boys |
| Royal Grammar School | Boys |
| Royal Latin School | Co-educational |
| Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School | Co-educational |
| Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School | Co-educational |
| Wycombe High School | Girls |
Who Produces the Buckinghamshire 11+ Test?
The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test is produced by GL Assessment.
For preparation, this means pupils should build strong skills in the areas assessed by the test rather than preparing only for one narrow question type.
What Does the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test Assess?
The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test measures:
- Verbal skills
- Non-verbal skills
- Mathematical skills
In practical preparation terms, pupils should build confidence across:
- English vocabulary
- Reading comprehension skills
- Spelling, punctuation and grammar
- Verbal Reasoning
- Maths arithmetic
- Maths word problems
- Numerical reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Spatial and visual reasoning
- Multiple-choice technique
- Working accurately under timed conditions
Although the official wording is verbal, non-verbal and mathematical skills, pupils still benefit from strong English, vocabulary and SPAG practice because these skills support verbal reasoning and comprehension-style questions.
Test Format and Practice Test
Buckinghamshire children sit two test papers, each about 60 minutes long, with a break between them. There is also a shorter practice test, usually taken before the main test, to help children understand what to expect.
Parents should treat timing and test-date information as entry-year specific. The exact arrangements should always be checked for the relevant admissions year.
Important Preparation Point
Because the test covers verbal, non-verbal and mathematical skills, pupils should not prepare only with Maths papers or only with English papers. A balanced preparation plan should include Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, vocabulary, SPAG and mixed exam-style practice.
Registration and Where Children Sit the Test
Children attending state-funded Buckinghamshire primary schools are normally entered for the test through their school.
Families usually need to register separately if the child attends a partner school or a school outside Buckinghamshire, including schools in Milton Keynes. Parents should check the current registration rules and deadlines for the relevant entry year.
Children attending a Buckinghamshire state-funded primary school or partner school usually sit the test at school during the school day. Children attending other schools are usually invited to sit the test at a Buckinghamshire grammar school or another central test venue.
Access Arrangements
If a child has adjustments in place to help them access the curriculum, it may be possible for adjustments to be made to the testing conditions.
Access arrangements normally need to reflect the child’s usual way of working. Parents should speak to the child’s school well before the test if they think access arrangements may be needed.
Scholars Tutorial Preparation Route for Buckinghamshire
On the Scholars Tutorial platform, Buckinghamshire preparation should focus on Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, vocabulary, SPAG and mixed GL-style practice.
Recommended Scholars Tutorial Online Route
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ Maths
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ Maths : Word Problems
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ VR
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ NVR
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ English
- 11+ Mock Exams → 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE
- 11+ Mock Exams → 11+ SPAG
- 11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced VOCAB
- 11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced Maths, for stronger pupils
The Scholars Tutorial 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets are useful because they combine:
- English + Verbal Reasoning
- Maths + Non-Verbal Reasoning
This matches the need for mixed preparation across verbal, mathematical and non-verbal skills.
Scholars Tutorial Online Categories
Scholars Tutorial organises 11+ preparation into clear categories. For Buckinghamshire, the most relevant areas are Core Subjects, Mock Exams, Foundation and selected Advanced practice.
11+ Core Subjects
These are essential for Buckinghamshire preparation.
- 11+ Maths
- 11+ Maths : Word Problems
- 11+ VR
- 11+ NVR
- 11+ English
11+ Mock Exams
This category supports mixed exam-pattern practice.
- 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE — mixed sets for GL, CEM and ISEB-style preparation.
- 11+ SPAG — spelling, punctuation, grammar and language accuracy practice.
11+ Foundation
Foundation subjects are useful for children who need to strengthen basics before harder practice.
- 11+ Foundation Maths
- 11+ Foundation English
- 11+ Foundation VR
11+ Advanced
Advanced subjects are useful for pupils who need extra challenge.
- 11+ Advanced Maths
- 11+ Advanced English
- 11+ Advanced VOCAB
- 11+ Advanced SPAG
Maths Preparation for Buckinghamshire
Mathematical skills are a key part of the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. Pupils should practise both arithmetic and problem solving.
Your child should practise:
- Times tables and mental maths
- Written calculations
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Percentages
- Ratio and proportion
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Data handling
- Algebra basics
- Number patterns
- Word problems
- Multi-step reasoning
- Checking calculations
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ Maths
- 11+ Maths : Word Problems
- 11+ Foundation Maths
- 11+ Advanced Maths
Verbal Skills and Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Verbal skills are a major part of Buckinghamshire preparation. Pupils need strong vocabulary, word knowledge and language reasoning.
Your child should practise:
- Vocabulary
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Word meanings
- Compound words
- Letter and word codes
- Word relationships
- Logical word sequences
- Reading instructions carefully
- Eliminating wrong answer choices
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ VR
- 11+ Foundation VR
- 11+ English
- 11+ Advanced VOCAB
- 11+ SPAG
Non-Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Non-verbal skills test visual logic, pattern recognition and spatial awareness. These question types can feel unfamiliar if pupils have not practised them before.
Your child should practise:
- Shape patterns
- Sequences
- Matrices
- Odd-one-out questions
- Rotation
- Reflection
- Symmetry
- Spatial reasoning
- Visual problem solving
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ NVR
- 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets
English, Vocabulary and SPAG Support
Buckinghamshire’s official test description focuses on verbal, non-verbal and mathematical skills. However, English, vocabulary and SPAG practice still support verbal skills and help pupils read questions accurately.
Useful areas include:
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary building
- Spelling accuracy
- Grammar and punctuation
- Sentence structure
- Understanding unfamiliar words
- Careful reading of instructions
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ English
- 11+ SPAG
- 11+ Advanced VOCAB
- 11+ Advanced English, for stronger pupils
Printed Paper Sets for Buckinghamshire 11+ Preparation
Printed paper sets are useful because they help pupils practise concentration, exam discipline and multiple-choice accuracy.
Useful Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets include:
- 11+ Mixed Practice Papers
- 11+ Maths Practice Papers
- 11+ Maths : Word Problems Practice Papers
- 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
- 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
- 11+ English Practice Papers
- 11+ SPAG Practice Papers
- 11+ Foundation Maths Practice Papers
- 11+ Foundation Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
- 11+ Advanced Maths Practice Papers
- 11+ Advanced VOCAB Practice Papers
Printed papers should be used alongside online practice. Online practice helps target weak areas, while printed papers help pupils apply skills in a more realistic paper format.
Multiple Choice Format
Buckinghamshire-style preparation should include regular multiple-choice practice. Pupils need to solve questions accurately and select answers carefully.
Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets support Multiple Choice Format practice.
This helps pupils learn how to:
- Read each question carefully
- Identify key information
- Eliminate incorrect options
- Avoid rushing
- Check calculations and reasoning
- Transfer or select answers accurately
- Manage time across a full paper
Suggested Weekly Buckinghamshire 11+ Preparation Plan
A balanced weekly plan could include:
- 2 days per week: Maths, arithmetic or word problems
- 2 days per week: Verbal Reasoning, vocabulary or SPAG
- 1 day per week: Non-Verbal Reasoning
- 1 day per week: Mixed GL CEM ISEB FSCE practice or printed paper practice
- 1 day per week: Review mistakes and revisit weak topics
Younger pupils or pupils just starting should use shorter sessions. Pupils closer to the test can gradually increase timed practice and printed paper work.
Common Buckinghamshire 11+ Preparation Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Practising only Maths and ignoring verbal or non-verbal skills
- Ignoring vocabulary development
- Leaving Non-Verbal Reasoning until too late
- Doing papers without reviewing mistakes
- Starting timed work before the child understands the question types
- Focusing only on speed instead of accuracy
- Using only printed papers without topic practice
- Using only online practice without full-paper discipline
- Assuming a qualifying score automatically guarantees a place at a specific school
- Missing registration or school admissions deadlines
How Parents Can Support at Home
Parents can make Buckinghamshire 11+ preparation more effective by keeping it steady, calm and balanced.
Helpful habits include:
- Check the current Buckinghamshire registration and admissions timetable
- Read individual grammar school admissions policies
- Encourage daily reading and vocabulary discussion
- Practise mental maths regularly
- Review mistakes after each test
- Keep a notebook of weak topics
- Use online practice to target gaps
- Use printed papers for exam discipline
- Practise VR and NVR consistently
- Avoid last-minute cramming
- Focus on confidence as well as scores
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Buckinghamshire 11+ called?
It is called the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. It was formerly known as the 11+.
Who produces the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test?
The test is produced by GL Assessment.
What does the Buckinghamshire test assess?
The test measures verbal, non-verbal and mathematical skills. In practical preparation, pupils should practise Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, vocabulary, SPAG and mixed exam-style questions.
How many papers are in the Buckinghamshire test?
Children sit two test papers, each about 60 minutes long, with a break between. There is also usually a shorter practice test before the main test.
What score is needed to qualify?
A score of at least 121 is considered qualified for a Buckinghamshire grammar school. Qualification does not automatically guarantee a place at a particular school because admissions policies and oversubscription rules still apply.
Which Scholars Tutorial subject is best for Buckinghamshire preparation?
A useful mixed mock subject is 11+ Mock Exams → 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE, supported by Maths, Maths : Word Problems, VR, NVR, English, SPAG and vocabulary practice.
Does Buckinghamshire require English practice?
The official test areas are verbal, non-verbal and mathematical skills. However, English, vocabulary and SPAG practice are useful because they support verbal skills, reading accuracy and understanding of question wording.
Do children need to register for the Buckinghamshire test?
Children attending state-funded Buckinghamshire primary schools are normally entered through their school. Families outside Buckinghamshire, including Milton Keynes, and some partner-school families normally need to register. Parents should check the current registration rules and deadlines each year.
Are printed paper sets useful for Buckinghamshire preparation?
Yes. Printed paper sets help pupils practise multiple-choice technique, time management, concentration and full-paper discipline. They work best when combined with online topic practice.
Should my child practise all subjects every week?
A balanced weekly routine should include Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, vocabulary or SPAG, and regular mistake review.
Final Advice
Buckinghamshire 11+ preparation should be balanced across verbal, non-verbal and mathematical skills.
Pupils should build strong Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, vocabulary, SPAG and multiple-choice skills, supported by regular review of mistakes.
The Scholars Tutorial online platform helps pupils strengthen these areas through organised subject categories, while printed paper sets help children practise with realistic exam discipline.
For Buckinghamshire preparation, the 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets under 11+ Mock Exams are especially useful because they combine English with Verbal Reasoning and Maths with Non-Verbal Reasoning.
By combining online practice, printed paper sets, timed work, careful mistake review and up-to-date admissions checking, pupils can build the confidence and accuracy needed for Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test preparation.