When to Apply for the 11 Plus Exam in 2026

Most 11 Plus applications for 2026 test sittings open during Year 5, often between late spring and early summer, but the exact registration window depends on the grammar school, local authority or testing consortium. If your child is hoping to sit the 11 Plus exam in 2026 for Year 7 entry in 2027, the safest approach is to check your target schools early, note the registration deadline and understand whether you need to apply through a council, a school or a shared admissions portal. In practice, strong 11 Plus preparation starts with the application timeline, because missing the registration window can mean missing the test altogether.

If you are just starting out, it also helps to read our full 11 Plus Exams: Everything You Need to Know guide alongside this one.

When should you apply for the 11 Plus exam in 2026?

In most areas, parents need to register their child for the 11 Plus during Year 5, usually in the months leading up to the start of Year 6. Many registration windows for 2026 test dates fall between May and July 2026, although this varies by region.

The key thing to remember is that the 11 Plus is not a single national exam with one national deadline. Different grammar schools and local authorities set their own registration windows, test arrangements and admissions processes. As a result, parents should never rely on a general timeline alone. Always check the official admissions page for each school or area your child is applying to.

What is the 11 Plus exam and why does the application date matter?

The 11 Plus helps many grammar schools and selective schools in England decide which pupils to admit. Children usually sit the exam in Year 6, but parents often need to register them earlier, while they are still in Year 5.

The application date matters because you must register your child before they can take the test. You may already be thinking about revision, practice papers and tutoring. However, none of that helps if you miss the registration deadline. In some areas, schools or councils do not accept late registrations.

The exam itself can include subjects such as:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning
• Creative Writing, depending on the school

Because formats vary, it is important to check exactly what your target schools test before building a revision plan.

What parents should do before applying for the 11 Plus

Before registering your child for the 11 Plus exam in 2026, try to work through these steps first.

1. Shortlist the schools you are considering

Start by identifying which grammar schools or selective schools you may want your child to apply to. This matters because schools in different areas may use different registration systems, deadlines or test formats.

2. Check whether your child needs to register manually

Some areas require every family to register for the 11 Plus. In others, certain pupils are entered automatically if they attend a specific local primary school. This is one of the most important details to check early.

3. Read the admissions guidance carefully

Look for the official page that explains:

• who needs to register
• when registration opens
• the final registration deadline
• test dates or test windows
• whether any supplementary forms are needed
• whether special access arrangements need to be requested in advance

It can also help to read the government’s secondary school admissions guidance, especially if you are applying to more than one grammar school or trying to understand how test registration fits with the main secondary school application process.

4. Check what the test includes

Before you invest too much time in revision, make sure you know what the exam actually covers. Some schools focus heavily on reasoning, while others place more weight on English and Maths. If your child needs extra support with the numerical side of the exam, working with an 11+ Maths tutor can help them build confidence in the exact topics and question styles they are likely to face.

Deadlines by region for applying to the 11 Plus in 2026

Below are official examples of 11 Plus registration timelines for 2026 test sittings. These examples show why parents should check deadlines early rather than assuming every area follows the same schedule.

Birmingham

For Birmingham grammar schools, parents registering a child for September 2027 entry must register for the entrance test during Year 5. The official Birmingham admissions information states that registration for the selective test is open between May 2026 and 4pm on Friday 26 June 2026, with the entrance test taking place in September 2026. Some schools in the Birmingham grammar-school group also publish the test date as 12 September 2026.

If you are applying in Birmingham, do not leave registration until the last minute. Late applications are not normally accepted, so it is worth checking the grammar-school admissions page as early as possible in the summer term of Year 5.

Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire uses the Secondary Transfer Test for grammar-school entry. For September 2027 entry, official Buckinghamshire guidance states that registration opens on 1 May 2026 and closes at 3pm on Tuesday 2 June 2026.

The practice test is set for 8 September 2026. The main Secondary Transfer Test follows on 10 September 2026.

One key point is that not every child needs manual registration. Children at state-funded Buckinghamshire primary schools are entered automatically. However, children at partner schools or schools outside Buckinghamshire may need a parent to register them. This is why you should always read the official local guidance.

Kent

For the Kent Test, official Kent County Council guidance for September 2027 entry says registration opens on Monday 1 June 2026. It closes on Wednesday 1 July 2026.

Kent also has different test arrangements for different pupils. For example, pupils at Kent primary schools sit the test on Thursday 10 September 2026. Pupils who do not attend a Kent primary school sit it on 12–13 September 2026.

Kent shows why parents should read the details carefully. Even when the registration window is clear, the test arrangements can depend on where your child goes to school.

Why some regions are not listed here

The 11 Plus does not use one national system. Rules change by area. Some councils share dates early. Others update pages later or spread details across school sites.

This guide only includes regions with clear official dates at the time of writing. If your child is applying outside Birmingham, Buckinghamshire or Kent, use this as a starting point. Then check the official page for your school or council.

What happens after you register for the 11 Plus?

Once your child is registered, you can move from forms to prep. Use the time before the test well. Help them learn the format, practise exam-style questions and work on weak areas.

A simple revision plan might include:

• weekly English and Maths practice
• verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning questions
• timed tasks
• short mistake reviews
• occasional 11 Plus practice papers

Steady practice works better than last-minute cramming.

When should 11 Plus revision start after applying?

Registration and revision are linked, but they are not the same. Applying for the exam is the admin step. Revision is the study step that comes next.

Many families start focused 11 Plus preparation in Year 5. However, lighter practice can start earlier through reading, vocabulary and Maths. Once your child is registered, you can build a plan around the real test format.

At this stage, do not panic or overload your child with materials. Instead, focus on a steady routine and the key skills their target schools test.

Common mistakes parents make when applying for the 11 Plus

Assuming all 11 Plus deadlines are the same

They are not. Registration dates vary by area, school and admissions system, so always check the official page for your target schools.

Focusing on revision before checking the application process

Revision matters, but registration comes first. If the deadline passes, your child may not be able to sit the test at all.

Not checking whether registration is automatic or manual

In some areas, pupils are entered automatically if they attend certain schools. In others, the parent must complete the registration themselves.

Leaving everything until the last week

Even if registration itself is simple, parents often need time to compare schools, read admissions guidance, gather details and think about support arrangements.

Forgetting that different schools may have different processes

A child applying to more than one selective school may need to follow more than one set of instructions. Always check whether there are separate forms, separate tests or separate deadlines.

How can a tutor help once your child is registered?

Applying for the 11 Plus is only one part of the process. Once registration is done, many families start thinking about how to prepare efficiently without making the exam the centre of every evening. At this stage, some parents choose to work with an 11+ tutor who can build a clear revision plan and target the skills their child needs most.

A tutor can help by:

• identifying weak areas early
• explaining tricky question types
• building a realistic revision plan
• keeping preparation consistent
• giving your child practice in the exact skills tested

For example, if reasoning is a weak area, a dedicated Verbal Reasoning tutor or Non-Verbal Reasoning tutor may be more useful than generic practice alone. If your child needs support across multiple parts of the exam, a broader 11+ Tutor can help bring everything together.

If your child will sit the 11 Plus exam in 2026, check the registration process early. In many areas, applications open in Year 5 and close before the test date. Once your child is registered, you can focus on preparation with more confidence.

Keep the process simple. Shortlist your schools, check the official admissions page, note the deadline and confirm the exam format. Then build a calm revision plan around the test your child will sit.

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Comprehensive Guide to 11 Plus Preparation
11 Plus Exam Papers – General Discovery
Mastering 11 Plus Reading Comprehension: A Parent’s Guide

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