Waiting for 11 plus results can feel stressful for many parents. In most areas of England, the 11 plus results 2026 release date usually falls in mid-October, a few weeks after pupils sit the exam in September. Schools and exam providers release the results before the national secondary school application deadline on 31 October, giving families time to review their child’s score and decide which grammar schools to include on their application.
In this guide, we explain everything parents need to know about 11 plus results day 2026, including how the exam is marked, what the standardised scores mean, what counts as a qualifying score, and what steps families should take after receiving the results.
Understanding how the exam is marked helps parents interpret the results more clearly.
Most grammar schools use tests produced by providers such as GL Assessment or CEM. After the exam papers are marked, raw scores are converted into standardised scores.
Standardised scoring ensures fairness by adjusting results based on factors such as:
This process means that younger pupils are not disadvantaged when compared with older children in the same year group.
Instead of simply seeing how many questions were correct, parents receive a standardised score, which is used by grammar schools to decide whether the child has met the qualifying standard.
When 11 plus results are released, parents usually receive a report that includes several pieces of information.
Each grammar school or consortium sets its own qualifying mark. In many areas, scores are standardised around 100, with qualifying thresholds often ranging between 110 and 121 depending on the region.
It is important to remember that meeting the qualifying score does not always guarantee a place, especially if the school receives more qualifying applicants than available seats.
Parents often ask what the pass mark for the 11 plus actually means.
In reality, grammar schools do not always use the word "pass." Instead, they refer to a qualifying score or eligibility score.
Parents often want to know the 11 plus results date as soon as possible after the exam. In most areas of England, the results are released in mid-October 2026, usually between 10 October and 20 October, depending on the grammar school consortium or exam provider. This timing allows families to review their child’s score before submitting their secondary school preferences through the Common Application Form, which must be completed by 31 October 2026.
Once 11 plus results day 2026 arrives, parents will receive their child’s score and confirmation of whether the qualifying standard has been met.
The results will usually include a standardised score, which indicates how your child performed compared with other candidates. Many grammar schools set a qualifying score between 110 and 121, although this varies by region.
If your child performed well but you feel they could benefit from further exam confidence before other selective assessments, practising under timed conditions can help. Many families use our 11 plus mocks to understand how their child performs in realistic exam environments and identify areas that may still need improvement.
Meeting the qualifying score does not always guarantee a place at a grammar school. Schools may also consider factors such as:
This is why it is important to research the admissions policy for each school you plan to include on your application.
Parents who begin preparing their children earlier often find the process less stressful. Building core skills gradually through programmes such as 11 plus year 3, 11 plus year 4, and 11 plus year 5 preparation helps students develop strong reading comprehension, reasoning, and problem-solving skills long before the exam year.
Parents must submit their secondary school preferences through their local authority by 31 October 2026. On the form, you can list several schools in order of preference.
Even if your child meets the qualifying score, it is sensible to include a mix of schools on the form to maximise your chances of receiving a suitable offer.
School offers are usually released on the 1st of March. This is when parents find out which secondary school their child has been allocated.
At this stage, some families begin preparing for the next stage of selective assessments or entrance exams. Focused revision programmes such as 11 plus easter courses can help students strengthen key subjects like English and mathematics during the final preparation period.
If your child does not meet the qualifying score or if they are not offered a place at your preferred grammar school, there are still options available.
Parents have the legal right to appeal a school admission decision once school offers are released on National Offer Day.
Appeals usually follow this timeline:
During the appeal process, parents may present supporting evidence such as:
If you are considering this route, you can read our detailed guide on How to Appeal 11 Plus Results, which explains the full process and what evidence can strengthen your case.
Receiving 11 plus results is an important moment for many families, but understanding how the exam is marked, what scores mean, and what steps follow can make the process far easier to navigate.
At Pass 11 Plus Grammar, we support students through every stage of the preparation journey, from early learning programmes to realistic mock exams and intensive revision courses. If you would like guidance on the next steps for your child’s preparation, feel free to Contact Us and speak with our team.
The 11 plus results 2026 date is usually in mid-October 2026, typically between 10–20 October, depending on the grammar school consortium, and always before the 31 October secondary school application deadline.
No. The 11 plus results day varies by region and exam provider, although most results are released during October.
Raw marks from the exam are converted into standardised scores, which adjust results based on age and exam difficulty to ensure fairness.
