The 11+ exam was created by the Butler Education Act of 1944 as part of the Tripartite System. Its original purpose was to determine which type of secondary school a student would attend after primary education:

• Grammar schools for academic students
• Secondary modern schools for those pursuing practical skills
• Technical schools for vocational training

The exam created intense competition for grammar school places, which were seen as offering the best academic education. This led to a stark “pass” or “fail” distinction, and failing the exam could have a lasting impact on a child.

Initially, the 11+ was designed to focus on a child’s skills and aptitudes rather than their family’s financial resources.

The 11+ Today

Today, the 11+ exam is no longer a nationwide requirement but is still used to assess a student’s academic ability for entry into grammar schools.

The current tests, primarily written by CEM and GL Assessment, evaluate students in a range of subjects. However, the specific subjects tested vary by region. Some areas might only test three of the four possible subjects. These tests are taken in addition to the SATs, which cover the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum.