The Exam Structure

The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (11+) is produced by GL Assessment and consists of two multiple-choice papers, each lasting approximately 45 minutes.

The examination assesses four key areas:

English – comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Verbal Reasoning – recognising patterns, understanding relationships between words and solving language-based problems.

Mathematics – mathematical knowledge, reasoning and problem-solving.

Non-Verbal Reasoning – identifying patterns, sequences and relationships between shapes and diagrams.

The examination is divided into two papers:

Paper 1: English and Verbal Reasoning

Paper 2: Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning

Both papers are taken on the same day, with a short break between them. Each paper contains timed sections, requiring children to work accurately and efficiently.

When Does the Exam Take Place?

The Buckinghamshire 11+ usually takes place in September, shortly after children begin Year 6.

Children typically sit a familiarisation or practice test a few days before the actual examination.

Pupils attending Buckinghamshire primary schools and participating partner schools usually sit the tests at their own school, while other candidates are allocated a designated test centre.

Exact examination dates are confirmed annually by The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS)