Need help?Open

Taking the 11+ test in Wiltshire

Wiltshire 11+ guide for parents
If your child is applying for a place at one of Wiltshire's two grammar schools, they'll need to sit the 11+. Read on for the facts about the test.
or Register to add to your saved resources

Which schools require an 11+ pass?

There are two selective grammar schools in Wiltshire:
 

What do the tests involve?

Currently, children applying for a place at either school take three different papers on the same day, all of which are multiple choice.
 

  • Mathematics test: 50 minutes, reflecting all areas of the Key Stage 2 maths curriculum, including number, algebra, measures, shape and space and handling data.
  • English test: 45 minutes, covering reading, comprehension, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
  • Verbal reasoning test: 50 minutes.

What version of the test is used?

South Wilts Grammar School uses GL Assessment 11+ tests.

Bishop Wordsworth’s 11+ test provider is CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring). 

How do you arrange for your child to take the test?

Parents must fill in a registration form in order for their child to sit the selective test. These are available from each school’s website, and must be completed by early September, with the test taking place in late September.  

Where are the tests held?

The tests are held at the individual schools.

What is the pass mark?

The standardised pass mark varies from year to year, and between schools, but is typically around 72-75 per cent. However, passing the test doesn't guarantee that your child will get a grammar school place. If more children pass the test than there are places available – which is usual – the schools use their oversubscription criteria, published on their websites, to allocate places. 

How can I help prepare my child?

The two grammar schools advise parents to prepare their children using GL Assessment's practice papers, which are available from bookshops or online. If Bishop Wordsworth’s switches to CEM testing, parents will be given a familiarisation booklet once they’ve registered, which will give children a feel for the look of the tests, the range of areas covered and the answer formats used. The schools recommend that parents make their own decision about whether their child should be coached or tutored for the test.

Please note that while every effort has been made to ensure the information we provide about individual schools is accurate, admissions arrangements change regularly and it is essential to check for the most up-to-date advice on schools' own websites.