Can You Resit 11 Plus Exam?

In most cases, no. Most grammar schools only allow children to sit the 11 plus once per academic year for entry in that same year. If your child does not achieve the score you need, they will not be able to resit the exam for entry to the same school in the same year. However, if your child applies again for entry the following year into Year 8, some schools might let them take the exam again. Policies vary by school and region, so always check directly with your target school. 

If your child has just received their 11 plus results and things did not go as hoped, the first question on every parent's mind is the same: can you resit the 11 plus exam? This guide gives you an honest, clear answer and explains all the options available to your family from here. 

Can you retake 11 plus exam?

The short answer is that resitting the 11 plus exam is not generally possible for entry to the same school in the same year. The 11 plus is not like a GCSE or A-level, where resitting is a built-in part of the system. It is a one-time entrance assessment for a specific school entry point.

However, the situation is more nuanced than a flat no, and it is worth understanding all the details before deciding what to do next.

Why most areas do not allow resits

Grammar school admissions are managed on a strict annual cycle. Registration opens and closes before the exam, the test happens in September or October, results come out in October or November, and places are offered on National Offer Day in March. There is simply no built-in mechanism for resitting within that same cycle.

Beyond the timeline, there is also a fairness issue. If one child could resit and another could not, the results would not be comparable. Grammar schools depend on standardised results across all candidates sitting at the same time, in the same conditions, to make fair admissions decisions.

When a retake might be possible

There are some circumstances where a child may be able to retake the 11 plus or a similar assessment:

• Entry the following year: If your child applies again for entry the next year into Year 8, some schools might let them take the exam again. This is not universal, but it is worth checking directly with each school.

• Applying to different schools: If your child is applying to different schools with separate 11 plus exams, they may be able to take more than one exam, as grammar schools in different areas may use different tests. Sitting both the Kent Test and the Bexley Selection Test, for example, counts as two separate exams, not a resit of one.

• Borderline assessment panels: Some schools have a borderline process where children who narrowly missed the qualifying score are reviewed by a panel before final decisions are made. This is not a resit but can effectively give a second look at borderline candidates.

• In-year admissions: If a grammar school has a vacancy mid-year, they may invite suitable candidates to sit an in-year assessment. These opportunities are rare and unpredictable, but they do happen.

How resit policies vary by region

There is no national policy on whether children can resit the 11 plus. It is entirely down to the individual school or local authority. Here is how some of the main grammar school areas approach this.

Alternatives to resitting the 11 plus

Even if your child cannot resit the 11 plus exam, the door to a high-quality education is absolutely not closed. Here are the main alternative routes available to your family.

1. Appeal the results

If you believe your child's result does not accurately reflect their ability, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process is available to all families who were refused a grammar school place, whether or not their child met the selective standard. We cover the appeal process in full in the next section.

2. Sit the 12+ or 13+ late transfer test 

The 12+ and 13+ are late transfer tests that allow children to apply for grammar school entry in Year 8 or Year 9. They are available in some areas, including Kent, Lincolnshire, and some individual grammar schools, as an alternative route for children who did not pass the 11 plus. These tests typically cover the same subjects as the 11 plus but are aimed at older children. If your child is currently in Year 7 at a non-selective school and is performing strongly, a transfer test may be a genuine option. Speak to the specific grammar schools you are interested in to find out if they accept transfer applications and what their assessment process involves.

3. Apply to independent schools

Many selective independent schools have their own entrance exams, which are completely separate from the grammar school 11 plus. These schools do not use the state grammar school 11 plus result as part of their admissions process. If your child is academically strong, applying to an independent school through its own entrance process is a very viable route. Independent school admissions typically include a written exam, an interview, and a school reference, none of which depend on the grammar school 11 plus result. 

4. Attend an outstanding non-selective school

Not attending a grammar school does not mean your child will have a worse education. There are outstanding comprehensive and non-selective secondary schools across the UK that produce excellent results and strong university outcomes. Many children who attend non-selective schools go on to top universities and successful careers. The school environment, the quality of teaching and your child's attitude and effort matter far more than the school type. If you are considering this route, research school performance data and visit schools in person before making any decisions.  

5. Apply for grammar school at Sixth Form (Year 12)

Some grammar schools accept external students into the Sixth Form at Year 12 based on GCSE grades and academic performance, without requiring the original 11 plus result. If your child performs exceptionally well throughout secondary school, this can be a route into the grammar school environment at a later stage. Check the admissions criteria on the individual school's website to see whether external Sixth Form applications are accepted. 

What to do right now - a practical next step guide

If you have just received disappointing 11 plus results, here is what to do in the days and weeks that follow.

• Do not panic. Take a day or two before making any decisions. The disappointment is real, and it takes time to process.

• Read the results letter carefully. Make sure you understand exactly what has been decided and what your options are. Note any deadlines mentioned for appeals or alternative applications.

• Check the appeal deadline immediately. In most areas, appeals must be submitted within 20 school days of the refusal. This deadline comes quickly, so check it now even if you have not decided whether to appeal.

• Contact the school's admissions team to ask whether a borderline review process exists and whether your child was in that category.

• Research the alternatives covered in this guide, late transfer tests, independent school entry, non-selective secondary schools and Sixth Form entry.

• Continue with secondary school applications. The common application deadline is 31 October. Even while considering an appeal, make sure you have listed schools on your Common Application Form so your child has a place to go in September.

How to avoid needing a resit in the first place

If you are reading this guide before your child has sat their 11 plus, whether because you are planning ahead or because results day is approaching, the best possible outcome is to prepare your child so thoroughly that the question of resitting never arises.

The children who perform best in the 11 plus are not always the most naturally gifted. They are the ones who prepared consistently, systematically and with the right support over a long enough period. Here is how to give your child the best possible chance.

Start early and be consistent

Begin preparation in Year 5, at least 12 months before the exam. Short daily sessions of 20 to 30 minutes work far better than long, infrequent cramming. Our 11 plus tuition programmes are built around this gradual, confident approach. 

Work with a specialist tutor

A tutor who knows your specific exam format can identify your child's gaps early and close them systematically. Our 11 plus tutors tailor every session to where your child is right now and where they need to get to. 

Use free practice papers

Build the daily practice habit at home using structured, topic-level materials. Our free 11 plus practice papers are a great starting point and help identify gaps early before they become problems. 

Sit realistic mock exams

Remove the element of surprise by giving your child the experience of a real timed exam before the real thing. Our 11 plus mock exams mirror the actual exam format closely and come with detailed results to guide the next stage of preparation. 

Use the summer wisely

The summer before Year 6 is a critical preparation window. Our 11 plus intensive summer course gives your child a structured, expert-led boost in the final weeks before September, covering content, technique and exam confidence in one focused programme. 

Keep the process calm and positive

A child who feels supported and confident will always perform better than one who feels anxious and pressured. Celebrate effort and progress consistently, not just high scores. Resilience and a positive attitude going into the exam room make a genuine difference on results day. 

Final thoughts

The question of whether you can resit the 11 plus exam is one that hundreds of families face every year. The answer, for most families in most areas, is that a straightforward resit is not available. But that is far from the end of the story. 

And if the exam is still ahead of you, if you are reading this guide while there is still time to prepare, the best investment you can make is thorough, consistent preparation so that the question of resitting never arises. At Pass 11 Plus Grammar, we have been helping children earn grammar school places for the first time. We are here to help your child do the same.