What is the 11 Plus pass rate?

There is no single national 11 Plus pass rate — each grammar school area sets its own qualifying score each year, based on available places and applicant performance. In Buckinghamshire (fully selective), around 34% of pupils gain a grammar school offer. In Birmingham, around 7% do. 'Pass rate' is therefore a function of how many grammar places exist relative to the cohort size.

Which area has the most grammar school places?

Buckinghamshire has the highest proportion of grammar school places relative to its Year 6 cohort at around 34%. Kent has the largest absolute number of selective places (approximately 8,800) and the most grammar schools (36). Lincolnshire also has widespread grammar provision with around 28% of pupils gaining grammar places.

What score do you need to pass the 11 Plus?

Pass marks vary by area, school and year. GL Assessment tests are standardised to a score of around 100 (mean), with the qualifying threshold typically ranging from 107 to 121 depending on the school and year. CEM tests use different scoring. Crucially, the qualifying score changes each year depending on how many children sit the test and how the cohort performs — it is not a fixed absolute mark.

TutorLab Research · 2024 data

11 Plus Pass Rates by Area 2024

Grammar school acceptance rates range from 34% in Buckinghamshire (fully selective) to under 5% in Devon and Birmingham. There is no national 11 Plus pass mark — each area sets a qualifying threshold each year based on places available and cohort performance. In most competitive areas, children need to score in the top 15–25% of all candidates to receive an offer.

Data covers all 15 major grammar school areas in England. Acceptance rates are estimates based on published admissions data, school capacity and local authority Year 6 cohort figures.

Journalists and researchers: free to cite with attribution to “TutorLab analysis of grammar school admissions data 2024.”

Key figures

~34%

Highest acceptance rate

Buckinghamshire (fully selective)

~5%

Lowest acceptance rate

Devon (3 schools, large county)

163

Grammar schools in England

2024, state-funded

~5%

Pupils in grammar schools

Of all secondary pupils in England

Grammar school acceptance rates by area

Sorted by acceptance rate, highest first. Acceptance rate = estimated grammar places divided by approximate Year 6 cohort size in that local authority area. Figures are estimates based on published admissions statistics.

Area	County	Grammars	Places	Acceptance rate
Buckinghamshire	Buckinghamshire	13	3,600	~34%
Lincolnshire	Lincolnshire	15	3,200	~28%
Kent	Kent	36	8,800	~27%
Trafford	Greater Manchester	5	1,400	~27%
Medway	Kent (Medway UA)	8	1,750	~26%
Wirral	Merseyside	5	1,500	~24%
Calderdale	West Yorkshire	4	900	~24%
Cumbria	Cumbria	7	1,400	~22%
Slough	Berkshire	4	720	~19%
Sutton (London)	London Borough of Sutton	4	800	~17%
Kingston upon Thames	Royal Borough of Kingston	2	420	~14%
Reading	Berkshire	2	480	~12%
Gloucestershire	Gloucestershire	3	840	~10%
Birmingham	West Midlands	8	1,600	~7%
Devon	Devon	3	650	~5%

Source: TutorLab analysis of local authority admissions data and individual school Published Admission Numbers (PANs), 2024. Figures are estimates.

Area breakdown: the full picture

Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire · 13 grammars · 3,600 places · GL Assessment / SET

~34%

Fully selective county — all state secondary places are grammar or secondary modern. The highest proportion of selective places in England.

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Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire · 15 grammars · 3,200 places · CEM / GL Assessment (varies by school)

~28%

Large rural county with widespread grammar provision. Around 28% of state school pupils gain grammar places.

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Kent

Kent · 36 grammars · 8,800 places · Kent Test (GL Assessment)

~27%

Largest grammar school system in England by number of schools. Kent Test taken by most Year 6 pupils. Around 27% receive a grammar school offer.

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Trafford

Greater Manchester · 5 grammars · 1,400 places · GL Assessment

~27%

The only grammar school area in Greater Manchester. Heavily oversubscribed from out-of-area applicants from Manchester and Salford.

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Medway

Kent (Medway UA) · 8 grammars · 1,750 places · Medway Test (GL Assessment)

~26%

Separate test and grammar system from Kent county, though adjacent. Medway Test taken in Year 6.

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Wirral

Merseyside · 5 grammars · 1,500 places · GL Assessment

~24%

Five grammar schools. Wirral operates its own 11 Plus test. Out-of-borough competition from Liverpool families is moderate.

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Calderdale

West Yorkshire · 4 grammars · 900 places · GL Assessment

~24%

Four grammar schools in Halifax and Brighouse. One of the few remaining grammar school areas in Yorkshire.

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Cumbria

Cumbria · 7 grammars · 1,400 places · CEM

~22%

Scattered grammar provision across a large rural county including Barrow, Carlisle and Kendal. Low demand from out-of-area families.

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Slough

Berkshire · 4 grammars · 720 places · GL Assessment

~19%

Four grammar schools with limited places relative to the cohort. Competition is intense from across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire borders.

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Sutton (London)

London Borough of Sutton · 4 grammars · 800 places · CEM

~17%

The main grammar school hub in London. Sutton grammars draw applicants from across South and Southwest London, depressing local acceptance rates.

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Kingston upon Thames

Royal Borough of Kingston · 2 grammars · 420 places · CEM

~14%

Two grammar schools (Tiffin Boys and Tiffin Girls) with national reputations. Among the most competitive grammar schools in the country.

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Reading

Berkshire · 2 grammars · 480 places · GL Assessment

~12%

Very limited selective provision. Grammar places are extremely competitive — many families look to Buckinghamshire as an alternative.

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Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire · 3 grammars · 840 places · GL Assessment

~10%

Three grammar schools: Cheltenham, Pates, and Sir Thomas Rich. Very oversubscribed — particularly Pates Grammar in Cheltenham.

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Birmingham

West Midlands · 8 grammars · 1,600 places · GL Assessment

~7%

Eight King Edward's Foundation grammar schools serving a very large city cohort. One of the most competitive selective systems in England.

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Devon

Devon · 3 grammars · 650 places · GL Assessment

~5%

Very limited selective provision in a large county. Only three grammar schools: two in Plymouth, one in Torquay.

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What the 11 Plus actually tests — and what tutoring changes

The 11 Plus tests verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English comprehension and Mathematics — the precise mix varies by area and test provider. GL Assessment tests (used in Kent, Buckinghamshire, Trafford and others) emphasise verbal and non-verbal reasoning as well as Maths and English. CEM tests (used in Sutton, Kingston, Cumbria and others) place more emphasis on comprehension and numerical reasoning, and are harder to “drill” using traditional test papers.

The research on 11 Plus tutoring effectiveness is contested. Studies in selective areas consistently find that coached children score higher on average than uncoached children, but also that intensive drilling of test papers has diminishing returns and can increase anxiety. The most effective preparation combines familiarity with the test format, systematic strengthening of weaker skill areas (often non-verbal reasoning for children not exposed to pattern problems), and confidence under timed conditions.

In highly competitive areas like Birmingham (7% acceptance) and Kingston (14%), the standard of applicants is extremely high. Children who are well within the grammar school ability range but unfamiliar with the test format can underperform significantly. A structured 6–12 month preparation programme is the norm for serious applicants in these areas.

In less competitive areas like Buckinghamshire (34%) or Lincolnshire (28%), the bar is lower and moderate preparation — 3–6 months focused on test technique and addressing specific weak areas — is typically sufficient for children who are naturally suited to selective education.

Find an 11 Plus tutor near you

TutorLab tutors cover all 11 Plus areas and test providers — GL Assessment, CEM and school-specific tests.

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Frequently asked questions

When should 11 Plus preparation start?+

Most tutors recommend starting structured preparation between 12 and 18 months before the test — typically from the start of Year 5. This allows time to work through the full curriculum systematically, address weak areas thoroughly, and build exam confidence with timed practice papers. Starting in the final 3 months before the test is too late for systematic improvement, though focused coaching on technique and managing anxiety can still help.

What is a good 11 Plus score?+

Qualifying scores vary by area and year. For GL Assessment tests, the standardised score (based on age-weighted performance) typically needs to be 111 or above for a grammar offer in most areas, though more competitive schools require 118–121. CEM scores are reported differently and are harder to interpret directly. Individual schools publish their qualifying marks for the previous year in their admissions information — this is the best guide to what score you need.

Is the 11 Plus the same as the grammar school test?+

Yes — the 11 Plus is the common term for the selective entry test taken in Year 6. It is called the 11 Plus because most children sit it around the age of 11, at the end of primary school. Different areas and schools may use different test providers (GL Assessment, CEM) or set their own tests, but they serve the same purpose: determining which pupils are offered selective secondary school places.

Can a child sit the 11 Plus in multiple areas?+

Yes. Families regularly apply to grammar schools across multiple areas simultaneously. A child in South London might sit both the Sutton 11 Plus and the Kingston test. A child near the borders of Kent and Buckinghamshire might sit both county tests. Some test providers are registered separately — always check individual school registration deadlines, as they often run in different months of Year 6.

What happens if my child misses the qualifying score?+

If a child does not achieve the qualifying score, they are allocated a non-selective state secondary place through the normal local authority admissions process. Some grammar schools operate a waiting list — if places become available after National Offers Day in March, offers are made in qualifying score order. Independent schools are an alternative route for high-attaining children who do not secure grammar places.

Methodology and data notes

Acceptance rates are estimates calculated by dividing published grammar school admission numbers (PANs) by the approximate Year 6 cohort size for each local authority area (based on DfE school census data). Figures are for guidance only — actual rates vary year to year depending on cohort size and the number of out-of-area applicants.

Grammar school counts and place numbers are based on 2024 school capacity data. Several schools operate partially selective admissions — only fully selective places are counted here.

Free to use: Cite as “TutorLab analysis of grammar school admissions data, 2024.” Contact press@tutorlab.uk for additional data or press enquiries.

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