The 11-plus is a selective secondary school entrance exam sat at age 10–11 (end of Year 6), while the 13-plus — most often the ISEB Common Entrance — is sat at age 12–13 (Year 8) for entry into independent senior schools at 13. The right exam for your child depends entirely on which school they are aiming for, not on their ability.
What is the 11-plus?
The 11-plus is an entrance exam sat near the end of Year 6, typically in September or October, for admission into Year 7. It is used by:
- State grammar schools in selective areas (Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, parts of London and elsewhere)
- Some independent schools that admit pupils at age 11
The exam is administered by two main providers — GL Assessment and CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) — and different local authorities use different providers, sometimes with bespoke papers. Parents should check with the specific school or local authority to confirm which version their child will sit.
What does the 11-plus test?
Content varies by region and provider, but the 11-plus typically covers four areas:
| Area | What it assesses |
|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | Word relationships, vocabulary, logical word patterns |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Patterns, sequences, spatial reasoning — no language required |
| Mathematics | Arithmetic, fractions, ratios — broadly KS2 curriculum |
| English | Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar |
Not all schools test all four areas. Grammar schools in Buckinghamshire focus on Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning; schools in other regions may emphasise Maths and English more heavily. GL Assessment publishes general guidance at gl-assessment.co.uk.
When is the 11-plus sat?
In most areas, the exam is held in September or October of Year 6, for entry into secondary school the following September. Registration typically opens in the spring or early summer of Year 6. Many independent schools set their own 11-plus papers and hold them in January of Year 6 for the following September's entry.
What is the 13-plus (Common Entrance)?
The 13-plus refers to entrance exams for independent senior schools that take pupils at age 13 — the start of Year 9. The most widely used version is the ISEB Common Entrance at 13+ (CE13), administered by the Independent Schools Examinations Board.
Common Entrance papers are set nationally by ISEB and marked by each individual school. Entry is conditional: a child must usually be pre-registered and often pre-assessed (via a Pre-Test — see below) years before the main CE13 exam.
What does the 13-plus Common Entrance test?
CE13 covers a broad range of subjects:
| Subject | Notes |
|---|---|
| English (Language and Literature) | Comprehension, creative and discursive writing |
| Mathematics | Full KS3 up to and including algebra, geometry |
| Science | Biology, Chemistry and Physics at KS3 level |
| French / Spanish / Latin | At least one usually required |
| History, Geography, Religious Studies | Many schools require at least one humanity |
The difficulty is pitched at a high KS3 level. A child entering a highly selective senior school (such as Eton, Harrow, Cheltenham Ladies' College) will typically be expected to perform at a much higher standard than the CE13 pass mark alone.
What is the Common Pre-Test?
Most senior independent schools now ask prospective 13-plus candidates to sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test in Year 6 or early Year 7 — before the child has even joined a prep school. This online test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and is used to award conditional places well in advance of the CE13 exam. It is effectively a prerequisite: without a conditional offer from the pre-test, a child may not be allowed to sit CE13 for that school.
11-plus vs 13-plus: the key differences at a glance
| Feature | 11-Plus | 13-Plus (Common Entrance) |
|---|---|---|
| Age at exam | 10–11 (Year 6) | 12–13 (Year 8) |
| Entry year | Year 7 | Year 9 |
| School types | Grammar schools; some independent schools | Independent senior schools |
| Main provider | GL Assessment or CEM (state); school-set (independent) | ISEB |
| Subjects tested | VR, NVR, Maths, English | Multi-subject (Maths, English, Sciences, Humanities, Languages) |
| Pre-registration | Usually not required | Usually required, plus Pre-Test in Y6/Y7 |
| Marked by | Exam provider / school | Each individual school |
| Preparation window | Typically 1–2 years (Y5–Y6) | Typically 2–3 years across KS3 |
Which exam does your child need?
The answer depends on which school they are targeting:
- State grammar school → 11-plus. The child must live in the right area and sit in Year 6.
- Independent school entry at 11 → that school's own 11-plus entrance paper (different from the state grammar exam).
- Independent senior school entry at 13 → ISEB Common Entrance 13+ (CE13), likely preceded by the ISEB Common Pre-Test in Year 6 or 7.
- Independent school with own Year 9 entrance exam → the school's bespoke paper rather than CE13.
Some families prepare for both: if a child is aiming at an independent school at 13 but also wants the option of a grammar school at 11, they may sit the 11-plus as a backup. Preparation for the two exams overlaps significantly in Maths and English.
How to prepare for each exam
For the 11-plus: Start no later than Year 5. Focus first on any areas of KS2 Maths and English not yet secure, then practise Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning papers. The reasoning elements are the ones children are least likely to have encountered in school. GL Assessment and CEM both publish specimen papers.
For the 13-plus: Preparation is built into KS3 schooling — particularly at prep schools — across Years 6, 7 and 8. The subject breadth means that consistent performance in class (especially in Maths, English, Sciences and Languages) is the foundation. Past papers for each subject are available via ISEB (iseb.co.uk). Senior schools often publish their own mark schemes and expected standards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 11-plus and 13-plus?
The 11-plus is an entry exam sat at the end of Year 6 (age 10–11) for Year 7 admission, used mainly by state grammar schools and some independent schools. The 13-plus — most often the ISEB Common Entrance — is sat in Year 8 (age 12–13) for Year 9 entry into independent senior schools. They assess different content at different levels of difficulty.
Do all independent schools use Common Entrance at 13?
No. Many independent schools set their own bespoke entrance papers rather than using ISEB Common Entrance. Some senior schools use CE13 as one option but also accept school-specific papers or Pre-Test results. Always check directly with each school which assessments they require and by what date.
What is the ISEB Common Pre-Test and when is it sat?
The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online assessment in English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, sat in Year 6 or Year 7 (sometimes early Year 8). Most leading independent senior schools use it to make conditional offers years before the CE13 exam. If your child is aiming for a selective independent senior school entry at 13, the Pre-Test process typically starts in Year 6.
Is the 11-plus only for state grammar schools?
No. Many independent schools run their own 11-plus-style entrance exams for Year 7 entry. These are separate from the state grammar school papers and are set and marked by each school individually. The state grammar school 11-plus (GL Assessment or CEM) is different from an independent school's Year 7 entrance exam, even though both are often called "the 11-plus."
How hard is the 13-plus Common Entrance compared to the 11-plus?
CE13 covers substantially more subject content — full KS3 Maths, three sciences, languages and humanities — compared to the more focused 11-plus (typically Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning). The depth of knowledge required is greater. However, children have two more years of schooling by the time they sit CE13, and preparation is spread across Years 6–8 rather than compressed into Year 5–6.
For tailored exam preparation support across KS3 subjects, see aitutors.me.