In certain parts of England, the journey to secondary school involves a significant test known as the 11+. It's an academic examination taken by some pupils at the end of primary school, usually in Year 6 when they are 10 or 11 years old. The name simply comes from the age at which children move on to the next stage of their education.

The purpose of the 11+ is to select students for admission to state-funded grammar schools. Unlike comprehensive schools, which accept children of all abilities, grammar schools are academically selective. The 11+ exam is the tool they use to identify pupils who they believe will thrive in a more academic environment. Passing the exam is the first step to securing a place at one of these schools.

This makes the 11+ a high-stakes test for many families. The results can set a child on a different educational path from many of their primary school peers.

The 11+ exam has its roots in the Education Act of 1944. This landmark legislation introduced the Tripartite System, which aimed to provide free secondary education for all children. After the exam, students were sorted into one of three types of schools: grammar schools for the academically gifted, secondary modern schools for a general education, and technical schools for those with practical skills.

The system was controversial from the start, with critics arguing that deciding a child's future at age 11 was unfair. During the 1960s and 70s, most of the country moved to a comprehensive school system, where all children in a local area attend the same type of secondary school regardless of ability. However, some local authorities chose to keep their grammar schools, and with them, the 11+ exam.

The 11+ isn't a single, national test. Its content and format vary depending on the local authority or the specific school. However, most grammar schools and regions use tests created by one of two main providers: GL Assessment and CEM (the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring).

GL Assessment has a long history of providing school assessments. Their 11+ papers are often drawn from a large bank of questions, and schools can choose which subjects to include. CEM, part of the University of Cambridge, developed their tests more recently. They aim to create an exam that is harder to prepare for, with a focus on testing natural ability and vocabulary.

Because the provider and format can differ so much from place to place, it's crucial for parents and students to check the specific requirements for the schools they are applying to.

While the specifics vary, the 11+ exam typically assesses a student's abilities in four key areas:

• English: This section usually covers comprehension, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Maths: Questions are based on the primary school curriculum but often require strong problem-solving skills.
• Verbal Reasoning: This involves solving problems with words and text, such as finding patterns, identifying letter sequences, and applying logic.
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: This is about solving problems using pictures and diagrams. It tests spatial awareness and the ability to identify patterns and relationships in shapes.

A school's exam might include all four subjects, or just a selection. For example, some might only test Maths and English, while others might focus heavily on reasoning skills. The tests are almost always multiple-choice and are completed under timed conditions.