One of the most expensive 11+ mistakes costs no money at all: spending months practising the wrong exam format.
There is no single national 11+. Different grammar-school regions, consortia and independent schools can use different providers, subject combinations, timings and answer methods. The fastest route to the correct preparation is to work from the school backwards.
Step 1: name the actual school
Do not start with “we live in Kent” or “my tutor said GL”. Start with the school or schools you would genuinely consider.
Open each official admissions page for your child's entry year and find the selection test information.
Record the provider, consortium or school-specific assessment named there.
Step 2: identify whether schools share a test
Several schools in one area may use the same regional assessment. Others can require an additional paper or belong to a different admissions arrangement.
If you are considering multiple schools, create a simple table:
School | Test | Subjects | Format | Registration | Official link
This immediately shows whether one preparation route covers several options.
Step 3: identify the subject mix
Do not assume every test examines English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning in identical proportions.
Some tests may emphasise a subset or use bespoke written components. Independent-school processes can include online pre-tests or additional school-set assessments.
Practise what the current official information says, not what an old workbook assumes.
Step 4: check the answer method
Is the test paper-based multiple choice? Does it use a separate answer sheet? Are there written responses? Is an assessment online and adaptive?
These practical differences affect preparation even when the underlying academic skills overlap.
Step 5: check timing and section structure
Children need to rehearse the clock they will actually face. A pupil comfortable with a relaxed 40-question worksheet may respond differently to short tightly timed sections.
Centre-specific mocks match the timing and section structure of named schools, which makes the rehearsal closer to the real paper. centre-specific mocks
Use official familiarisation materials when available and centre-specific mocks for additional fresh practice.
Step 6: confirm registration separately
Knowing the exam is not the same as being registered for it. Record the official registration window, test date and later school-application requirements.
Check again closer to the date in case arrangements are updated.
What about GL, ISEB and CSSE?
These names commonly appear in 11+ research, but the school is still the source of truth. GL Assessment is used across many selective-school arrangements; ISEB's Common Pre-Test is used by many independent schools; CSSE runs a distinctive selection test used for participating Essex grammar schools.
Providers and regional arrangements can change over time, which is why school-first checking matters.
A simple result page your website can offer
For parents using an interactive checker, the output should be practical:
Your target: [school/region]
Likely current test: [provider/consortium]
Subjects to prepare: [subjects]
Answer style: [multiple choice/written/online]
Read next: relevant EduArchives exam guide
Practise next: matching centre mock or standard mock
Build weak skills: relevant worksheet subject
The tool should include a visible reminder to confirm the latest admissions information directly with the target school.
Find the right exam before practising
EduArchives already brings exam guides, centre-specific mocks and grammar-school profiles together, so parents can move from “Which test?” to “What should we practise?” without opening ten unrelated websites.
Find a centre-specific mock: centre mocks
Browse grammar schools: grammar schools
Frequently asked questions
Which 11+ exam board does my child take?
It depends on the target school and current admissions arrangements. Check the school's official admissions page first.
Can two nearby grammar schools use different exams?
Yes. Never assume geography alone determines the paper.
Is old 11+ advice still reliable?
Core learning advice may remain useful, but providers, formats and admissions rules can change. Verify current exam-specific details every year.