11 Plus Registration Buckinghamshire 2026: Key Dates, Deadlines and How to Apply

Buckinghamshire 11 plus registration 2026 opens on 1st May 2026 and closes on 2nd June 2026. Children at state-funded Buckinghamshire primary schools are registered automatically. All others must register via the Buckinghamshire Council admissions portal. The Buckinghamshire 11 plus exam date is 10th September 2026, results arrive in mid-October, and your Common Application Form must be submitted to your local authority by 31st October 2026. The qualifying score is 121. 

If your child is aiming for a Buckinghamshire grammar school, there are firm deadlines to hit and two separate processes to complete. Miss either one and your child cannot be considered for a place. This guide tells you exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to prepare your child to compete.

What is the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test?

The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test is the official name for the 11 plus exam in Buckinghamshire. It is the only route into any of the 13 grammar schools in the county, and it is used by all of them without exception.

The test is set by GL Assessment and consists of two multiple-choice papers taken in the same sitting. It is designed to assess academic ability in verbal reasoning, English, Maths, non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning. Your child only needs to sit the test once, regardless of how many Buckinghamshire grammar schools they are applying to.

All 13 Buckinghamshire grammar schools are part of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) consortium. This joined-up approach means one registration, one exam, and one set of results covers every grammar school in the county.

Children born between 1st September 2015 and 31st August 2016 will sit the test in September 2026 for entry to Year 7 in September 2027.

Grammar schools in Buckinghamshire: the full list

There are 13 grammar schools in Buckinghamshire. All use the same Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. Here is the complete list:

• Aylesbury Grammar School

• Aylesbury High School

• Beaconsfield High School

• Burnham Grammar School

• Chesham Grammar School

• Dr Challoner's Grammar School

• Dr Challoner's High School

• John Hampden Grammar School

• Royal Grammar School

• Royal Latin School

• Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School

• Sir William Borlase's Grammar School

• Wycombe High School

Each school has its own admissions policy and criteria for allocating places from the qualified pool. Before applying, check the specific admissions policy of each school your child is interested in, as criteria such as catchment area, sibling priority and distance all vary between schools.

Buckinghamshire 11 plus exam dates 2026: the complete timeline

1st May 2026 - Buckinghamshire 11 plus registration 2026 opens. Only children NOT at a state-funded Buckinghamshire primary school need to register. All others are registered automatically.

2nd June 2026: Buckinghamshire 11 plus registration closes. Late registrations are not normally accepted. This is a hard deadline.

8th August 2026: Families who registered for testing receive a test invitation by email, confirming the test centre and time.

1st September 2026: Cut-off date for home address used by most grammar schools in their first round of place allocations. Check each school's admissions policy.

8th September 2026: Practice test day. Children sit a practice paper to familiarise themselves with the format and conditions before the real test.

10th September 2026: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (11 plus exam) day. Children at state-funded Bucks primary and partner schools sit the test in school. All others sit it at a grammar school test centre.

Mid-October 2026: Secondary Transfer Test results released to families.

31st October 2026: Deadline to submit the Common Application Form (CAF) to your local authority. This is a national hard deadline. Missing it seriously reduces your child's chances.

1st March 2027: National Offer Day. Secondary school allocations confirmed by your local authority by post or email.

How to register for the Buckinghamshire 11 plus

Whether you need to register depends on which school your child currently attends. Here is a clear guide for each situation.

1. Children at state-funded Buckinghamshire primary schools

If your child attends a state-funded primary school in Buckinghamshire, they are automatically registered for the Secondary Transfer Test. You do not need to complete any registration form. If you do not want your child to be tested, you should inform their school directly. 

2. Children at partner schools or independent schools in Buckinghamshire

If your child attends a partner school or an independent school within Buckinghamshire, you must register via the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Testing Registration Form on the Buckinghamshire Council admissions portal. Registration opens on 1st May 2026 and closes on 2nd June 2026. Your child will then sit the test at a grammar school test centre rather than in their own school.

3. Children at schools outside Buckinghamshire 

If your child attends a school in another local authority area, including Milton Keynes, you must register via the Buckinghamshire Council admissions portal within the same window: 1st May to 2nd June 2026. Your child will sit the test at a grammar school test centre in Buckinghamshire. Test centres have limited capacity, so register as early as possible to secure your preferred date and centre. 

What is in the Buckinghamshire 11 plus exam?

The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test consists of two multiple-choice papers, each lasting around one hour, including time for instructions and example questions. Both papers are sat on the same day with a short break in between.

The test covers five subject areas across the two papers:

English

Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and spelling. Tests how well your child understands and works with written text, based on the national curriculum.

Verbal Reasoning

Using logic and language to solve problems with words, letters and numbers. Includes analogies, code words, word sequences, synonyms and antonyms. Not typically taught in primary school.

Maths

Covers the Key Stage 2 maths curriculum: number, fractions, algebra, measurement, geometry and data. Questions go beyond standard Year 5 content and include multi-step problems.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

Pattern recognition, shape sequences and visual logic. Tests the ability to work with shapes, diagrams and pictures rather than words or numbers. No reading required.

Spatial Reasoning

Tests how well your child can mentally rotate, fold and manipulate shapes and spaces. A specialist skill that is rarely covered in primary school and requires specific targeted practice.

How the Buckinghamshire 11 plus is scored

Understanding how the scoring works helps you set realistic targets and plan preparation effectively.

Raw scores and age standardisation

After the test, answer sheets are marked by Optical Mark Recognition technology. Each correct answer earns one raw mark. Raw marks from both papers are added together to give a total raw score.

The total raw score is then converted into a Standardised Age Score (SAS) using a process called age standardisation. This adjusts your child's score based on their exact age in years and months at the time of the test. A child born in August who is almost a full year younger than a child born in September is not disadvantaged by this age gap. The standardisation process levels the playing field for all children regardless of when in the school year they were born.

The average standardised score nationally is always 100. Two-thirds of all children score between 85 and 115.

The qualifying score

In Buckinghamshire, the qualifying score is 121. Children who achieve a standardised score of 121 or above are considered qualified for a Buckinghamshire grammar school.

Qualifying does not guarantee a place

This is one of the most important things to understand about the Buckinghamshire system. Reaching 121 means your child is eligible to apply for a grammar school place. It does not mean they will automatically receive one. Each school then applies its own admissions criteria to allocate places from the qualified pool. These criteria typically include catchment area, sibling priority and distance from home to school. At the most popular and oversubscribed schools, all available places may be filled by qualified children who live closest to the school.

How to apply for a Buckinghamshire grammar school place

There are two completely separate steps to applying for a grammar school place in Buckinghamshire. Both are required. Missing either one will prevent your child from being considered.

1. Register for and sit the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

This is the first step. Register via the Buckinghamshire Council admissions portal between 1st May and 2nd June 2026 (if registration is not automatic for your child). Your child then sits the Practice Test on 8th September 2026 and the actual Transfer Test on 10th September 2026. Results arrive in mid-October. 

2. Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) by 31st October 2026

Once your child's results arrive in mid-October, you must submit the Common Application Form to your local authority. If you live in Buckinghamshire, this goes to Buckinghamshire Council. If you live in another county, it goes to your home local authority. List your school preferences in order, with your most preferred school first. Always include at least one non-selective school as a backup. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2026, and it cannot be extended. 

3. Receive your offer on National Offer Day, 1st March 2027

On 1st March 2027, your local authority will contact you to confirm which secondary school your child has been allocated. If you did not receive your first-choice school, your child will be placed on waiting lists for higher-preference schools, and you can also appeal the decision through an independent appeals panel.

How to prepare your child for the Buckinghamshire 11 plus

The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test is competitive. Around 29 to 35% of children who sit the test reach the qualifying score, but at the most oversubscribed grammar schools, the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of available places. The children who score well above 121 consistently have the strongest chances.

Here is how we support families at Pass 11 Plus Grammar throughout the preparation process.

1. Start tuition early and cover all five subjects

The Buckinghamshire test covers five subject areas, including Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning, which are not taught in primary school. Our 11 plus tuition covers all five areas in a structured programme designed to build skills gradually from Year 3 or Year 4 upward. Starting early is the single most effective thing you can do to raise your child's chances.

2. Work with a specialist 11 plus tutor

A specialist tutor identifies exactly what is holding your child back and teaches the specific skills needed to close those gaps. Our 11 plus tutors are experienced in the GL Assessment format used in Buckinghamshire, know the question types inside out, and provide the honest, targeted feedback that home practice alone cannot give you.

3. Use free practice papers at home regularly

Getting familiar with GL Assessment question types is essential, particularly for Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning. Our free 11+ practice papers are available to download right now and cover all the subjects tested in the Buckinghamshire exam. Regular timed practice at home between tuition sessions builds both speed and accuracy.

4. Attend an intensive summer course before the September exam

The summer between Year 5 and Year 6 is the most effective window for a concentrated boost. Our 11 plus intensive summer course covers all GL Assessment subjects in small groups with expert tutors, with timed practice built into every session. It is designed to sharpen your child's skills and build confidence in the weeks before the September exam.

5. Sit a full mock exam to prepare for test day

A mock exam under realistic conditions is one of the most valuable things your child can do before the real test. It makes the format familiar, reduces anxiety on the day, and gives you an accurate score to plan around. Our 11 plus mock exams replicate the GL Assessment format exactly and come with detailed subject-by-subject feedback so you know precisely where to focus remaining preparation time.

Preparation checklist for Buckinghamshire 11 plus registration 2026

• Confirm whether your child needs to register manually or is registered automatically 

• Register via the Buckinghamshire Council admissions portal between 1st May and 2nd June 2026 if required 

• Attend open days at your preferred Buckinghamshire grammar schools 

• Begin or continue tuition covering all five subjects including Spatial Reasoning 

• Download and use free practice papers at home under timed conditions weekly 

• Book an intensive summer course for focused preparation before September 

• Sit at least one full mock exam in July or August before the Transfer Test 

• Sit the Practice Test on 8th September 2026 and Transfer Test on 10th September 2026 

• Receive results in mid-October 2026 

• Submit the CAF to your local authority by 31st October 2026 

• Await National Offer Day on 1st March 2027 

Final thoughts

The 11 plus registration Buckinghamshire 2026 process is manageable once you know the two key steps: registering for the Secondary Transfer Test by 2nd June 2026, and submitting the Common Application Form to your local authority by 31st October 2026. Miss either deadline and your child cannot be considered for a grammar school place that year.

At Pass 11 Plus Grammar, we have been helping children prepare for the 11 plus for over 30 years. Whether your child is just starting out or is heading into the final summer before the exam, we are here to give them the best possible chance. Get in touch today to book a free assessment and find out how we can help.