Walk into any 11+ conversation and you'll hear the number 121 within minutes. It's the most-cited "pass mark" for grammar schools — but the number isn't quite what it seems.
Standardised scores explained
Raw marks are converted to a standardised score that adjusts for the slight age difference between children (a child born in August versus September). Scores typically range from 69 to 141, with 100 being the national average.
Why 121?
121 is roughly one-and-a-half standard deviations above the mean. It usually corresponds to around 80% accuracy at exam speed — i.e. the top 7–8% of test-takers. Most grammar schools cluster their cutoff around here. Practice now if you'd like to gauge your child against the threshold.
The hidden detail
Different subjects can be weighted differently, and some schools use the lower score of two papers rather than an average. Always check the specific admissions policy for your target school.