Buckinghamshire is one of the few English counties where the 11+ is the default: every Year 6 child in a Bucks state primary sits the test in September unless their parents opt out. It's known as the Secondary Transfer Test, or "Bucks 11+", and gates entry to all 13 Bucks grammar schools.
What the Bucks Transfer Test contains
Bucks uses GL Assessment papers, made up of two timed sessions on one morning:
- Paper 1 — English & Verbal Reasoning
- Paper 2 — Mathematics & Non-Verbal Reasoning
Each paper is around 45 minutes with mixed timed sections. The format is multiple-choice with answer sheets marked by computer.
Key dates for 2026 entry
- Mid-September Year 6: pupils sit the test in school.
- Mid-October: results released to parents.
- 31 October: secondary application deadline.
Pass mark and standardisation
The Bucks "qualifying score" sits at 121 on a standardised scale, calibrated against age (younger children get a small uplift). About 30% of the cohort qualify each year.
What works in Bucks preparation
The mix of subjects in one paper means children have to switch quickly between modes. The best practice mimics that:
- Don't just drill single subjects in long blocks — alternate every 10 minutes.
- Use full GL-style mocks weekly from Easter of Year 5 onwards.
- Review wrong answers more than right ones — find the common pattern.
Quest Arena's mock library includes Bucks-style mixed papers in the GL format. They're free to download.
Appeals
If your child misses by under 4 marks, the Selection Review process lets schools consider extra evidence. Most Bucks grammars have an appeals panel meeting in late November.