11 Plus (11+) Exam Dates & Admissions Timetable 2026/2027
Comprehensive guide to 11 Plus (11+) grammar school entrance examinations for 2026 and 2027 entry. Details key registration deadlines (May–July), September test windows for the Kent Test (PESE), CSSE Essex, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham GL Assessment, October results release, and the 31 October CAF deadline.
Key Takeaways for UK Families
- Registration Window: Opens in May 2026 and closes between late June and early July 2026 depending on the consortium.
- September Test Sittings: 11+ exams take place in the first two weeks of September 2026 (typically Thursday 10 September for Kent, Saturday 12 September for Essex & Birmingham).
- Results Precede Preference Deadline: 11+ results are released in mid-October 2026, allowing parents to know scores before submitting their secondary school choices.
- Common Application Form (CAF) Cut-Off: 31 October 2026 is the national deadline to name preferred grammar schools on your council application.
- National Offer Day: 1 March 2027 is when grammar school place allocations are officially announced.
1. Master 11+ Admissions Timeline (2026–2027 Entry)
The 11 Plus admissions cycle operates on an intensive statutory timeline designed to test pupils during early Year 6 and release standardized scores before parents submit secondary school preference forms. The cycle follows six mandatory phases: 1) Test registration opens in May 2026; 2) Registration portals close between late June and early July 2026; 3) Examination papers are sat in early to mid-September 2026; 4) Standardized test scores are delivered to parents in mid-October 2026; 5) Local council Common Application Forms (CAF) close on 31 October 2026; 6) National Offer Day occurs on Monday 1 March 2027.
Registering your child for the 11 Plus exam with the consortium or testing authority only enters them into the test. You MUST also name the grammar school on your local authority CAF before 31 October to be allocated a place.
2. Regional Consortia & Official Test Dates (Kent, Essex, Bucks, Birmingham)
Unlike standardized national SATs, 11 Plus testing schedules are established independently by regional grammar school consortia and local authorities. For 2026/27 entry, key regional test schedules are: The Kent Test (PESE) takes place on Thursday 10 September 2026 for pupils in Kent primary schools and Saturday 12 September for out-of-county applicants; CSSE Essex exams take place on Saturday 19 September 2026; The Grammar Schools in Birmingham (GL Assessment partnership) sit on Saturday 12 September 2026; Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Testing (STT) takes place on Thursday 10 September 2026; and the Bexley Selection Test runs between 8 and 11 September 2026.
3. The 31 October CAF Deadline: Why Results Arrive First
Under the statutory School Admissions Code, admission authorities must inform parents of their child’s 11 Plus test result before the national secondary application deadline on 31 October. Consortia release results portals in mid-October (typically between 14 October and 19 October). This transparent protocol ensures that parents know whether their child has met the qualifying threshold before using one of their four to six local authority preference slots on a selective grammar school.
4. Standardised Age Scores (SAS) & Cut-Off Marks
11 Plus examination scores are not reported as simple raw percentages. To prevent younger pupils born in the summer (July/August) from being disadvantaged compared to autumn-born peers (September/October), all papers are statistically adjusted using Standardised Age Scores (SAS). A standardized score of 100 represents the statistical national average. Highly selective grammar schools (such as King Edward VI schools in Birmingham or Queen Elizabeth’s School Barnet) establish ranking cut-offs where only candidates scoring above an aggregate threshold (typically 215 to 240+) gain admission.
5. What If a Child Is Unwell on Test Day? Appeals & Reserve Sittings
If a child suffers sudden illness on the morning of an 11 Plus exam, parents must not send them into the test room. Once a child sits a paper, consortia strictly enforce the "fit to sit" doctrine, meaning illness cannot subsequently be used as grounds to invalidate the score. Instead, parents must contact the admissions team immediately and obtain written medical certification from a GP or hospital. All major consortia operate reserve test dates in late September or early October for documented medical emergencies. If a child ultimately misses the qualifying score by a narrow margin, parents have the statutory right to lodge an appeal with an Independent Appeal Panel after National Offer Day on 1 March.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are 11 Plus exams sat in 2026 for September 2027 entry?
Most 11 Plus exams are sat across the first two to three weeks of September 2026. The Kent Test is on Thursday 10 September, while Birmingham and Essex exams take place on Saturday 12 and Saturday 19 September 2026.
Can a child sit the 11 Plus in multiple counties or consortia?
Yes, provided the test dates do not clash. Many families sit both the Kent Test and CSSE Essex or Bexley exams. However, within the same testing consortium (e.g. Birmingham or Buckinghamshire), a child may only sit the examination once.
What happens if my child is sick on the day of the 11 Plus exam?
Do not allow your child to sit the test. If a child takes the paper, the result is final. Instead, obtain a medical doctor certificate and request a place on the consortium reserve testing date in late September.
Do parents get 11 Plus results before naming secondary schools?
Yes. By statutory law under the School Admissions Code, 11 Plus scores must be published to parents by mid-October, allowing informed decisions before the 31 October CAF application deadline.
Can you appeal if your child was just a few points below the 11 Plus pass mark?
Yes. Following National Offer Day on 1 March, parents can submit an appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel, providing academic evidence (such as predicted KS2 SATs scores and headteacher reports) to prove academic suitability.