Guide topic
Parent Guides
Clear, source-led guidance on 11+ tests, applications and decisions for families.
- 9 guides
Start here
The guide that frames the rest of this topic.
What is the 11+? A practical parent guide to tests, subjects and applications
Understand what the 11+ is, why formats differ by area, which subjects may appear and how testing fits into the grammar-school application process.
- 6 min read
More in this topic
| Guide | Read | Published |
|---|---|---|
How 11 Plus Standardised Scores and Age Weighting WorkUnderstand 11+ standardised scores and age weighting, with a worked calculation from the published CSSE 2026-entry report. Check which method and qualifying rules apply to your area; a home practice mark cannot predict an official result. | Read14 min | Published |
11 Plus Pass Marks and Qualifying Scores by AreaCompare published 11+ qualifying scores by area, with official sources. Understand why raw percentages, qualification rules and the last score offered a place are different. | Read13 min | Published |
The CAT4 Test: What Schools Use It For and How Practice HelpsGL Assessment advises against CAT4 practice while prep sites sell it. The contradiction dissolves once you know whether your child is sitting a diagnostic CAT4 or an admissions one. | Read15 min | Published |
The ISEB Common Pre-Test: Format, Timing and How to PrepareUnderstand ISEB’s published timings, adaptive testing and results access. Try our original practice examples and use the official test-player walkthrough. | Read12 min | Published |
What Is the FSCE 11 Plus Exam? Format, Skills and PreparationFSCE test specifications vary by school. Read a school-specific familiarisation example, understand the answer formats and check the current guide before choosing preparation. | Read11 min | Published |
11 Plus Results Day: Understanding the Letter and Your OptionsA region-by-region guide to 11+ results dates and qualifying scores, with the steps from the results letter to your council’s application deadline, National Offer Day and grammar school appeals. | Read10 min | Published |
GL Assessment, CEM and ISEB: Which 11 Plus Exam Will Your Child SitMost 11+ guides explain GL Assessment and stop there. This one compares all five boards UK parents actually meet, and shows how format changes the way you prepare. | Read13 min | Published |
The 11 Plus Exam: What It Is, Who Sits It and How It WorksThe 11 plus is not one exam. It is roughly fifteen different tests sharing a name, and which one your child sits depends entirely on your postcode. Here is how to find yours. | Read13 min | Published |
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