Frequently Asked Questions

  • The 11+ exam consists of two different exams that will be sat on the same day. Both are roughly 45 minutes long and all questions are multiple choice.

    The first exam will cover English skills including comprehension, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar and spelling, with Verbal Reasoning questions.

    The second exam will cover Maths and Non-Verbal reasoning questions.

  • The exams are administered in the September of Year 6. The results day is in October.

    2022 dates:
    Exams: 15th September
    Results: 14th October

  • The test does not have a pass mark. Instead, there is a qualifying score for admission to grammar school. The qualifying score for Buckinghamshire grammar schools is a Secondary Transfer Test Score (STTS) of 121 or above. The STTS is calculated by age-standardising the three section scores and then adding them using the following weightings: verbal – 50%; mathematical – 25%; non-verbal – 25%. The total is the STTS.

  • The data for 2021 suggests that, of all the children that sat the exam in Buckinghamshire, roughly 30% passed. Please remember that lots of parents opt out and withdraw their children from the exam so the 30% is not all children in Buckinghamshire.

  • No. All children in Buckinghamshire state primary schools are automatically entered to sit their exams and they will be done in the school. However, it is important to note that children do not have to sit the exams. If you want to withdraw them, you can. You should speak to the school to discuss this.

  • Yes. My classes do get booked, so I recommend adding your child to my list when you have decided that you want your child to have tutoring. However, I do occasionally have spaces which become available at short notice, so it is worth contacting me to check.

  • Yes. The competition for Buckinghamshire grammar schools is intense as more and more students are being prepared for the exam. Therefore, giving your child focused tuition will give them the boost they need to compete and help them feel more confident and at ease with the whole exam process. As a large part of the 11+ is English and Maths based, it will also help with general classroom work.

  • This depends on your child; the vast majority of students start in Year 5. Everything that needs to be covered can be done in that year. I don’t believe anything earlier is necessary as children can often be ‘over tutored’ and the risk of tuition fatigue may occur!

  • Lessons take place at my home on Terrington Hill, Marlow.

  • I hold small classes with a maximum of five students. This allows me to give your child individual attention and personalised targets but still with the benefits of interacting and working with other students.

  • The cost of a weekly 60 minute group lesson is currently £37. This is paid in half term blocks. I send out an invoice at the beginning of each term and I accept payments in cash or BACS transfer.

  • No. I order all of the relevant books and include the amount on your first invoice. This saves any confusion as there are several 11+ exam boards.

  • No refunds will be given. However I will send out the content of the lesson and all homework tasks if a lesson is missed. I also upload homework video tutorials that you and your child can watch.

  • As there is so much content to work though, in order to fully prepare your child for the course, homework is essential in order to practise and consolidate the skills required. Therefore, each week there will be roughly 60/90 minutes of homework, depending on the course. This is why it is so important for parents and students to be committed; parents need to ensure the work is completed and marked – answers will be provided!