How Do You Get 11 Plus Results?

You get 11 plus results from the council or the group of grammar schools that runs the test in your area. Results usually arrive in October, most often by email, sometimes by post or through an online account. They come a little before the secondary school application deadline of Saturday 31 October 2026, so you can use them when you choose schools. The exact day and method are different in every area, so always check your own council or school website. 

The test is over, and now comes the waiting. If you are wondering how you get 11 plus results, when they arrive, and where to look, this guide explains everything. You will know exactly what to expect and what to do next. 

Who sends 11 plus results, and how do parents get them? 

There is no single national website for 11 plus results. Instead, the group that runs the test sends the results to families. This is usually the local council, or the grammar schools working together.

That is why the date and the way you find out can be different from one area to the next. The 11 plus is not the same everywhere in England. Some areas share one test across many schools, and some schools run their own.

Here are the three most common ways families get their results:

• By email: This is now the most common way.

• By post: Some areas send a letter, especially to families who did not give an email address.

• Through an online account: A few areas ask parents to log in to see the result.

Results come in October for children who sat the test in September. This is on purpose. The national closing date for secondary school applications is 31 October, and parents need the result before they choose which schools to list.

How do you receive 11 plus results? Email, post, or online

It depends on your area. Here are real examples from the organisations that run the tests.

Other areas have their own way. Your registration confirmation, or your council's admissions page, will tell you what to expect.

Kent also says it can only send results to the email address used to register your child. That is a great reason to double check the email address when you register, and to keep an eye on that inbox in October.

When do 11 plus results come out in 2026?

Each area picks its own results day. These are the dates published by the organisations themselves for the tests that children sat in September 2026.

Other areas, such as Warwickshire and Essex, publish their own dates. Check your council website for yours.

Every one of these dates falls before the national closing date for secondary school applications, which is Saturday 31 October 2026. If you apply after that date, your application may be treated as late, and your child is less likely to get a place at the schools you choose.

Do not wait to apply. You can fill in your application form before results arrive, but you should read the results first, so you know which grammar schools to list. Always send the form in on time.

How to check 11 plus results: Step-by-step

On results day, it is easy to feel nervous and rush. Follow these simple steps to check 11 plus results calmly.

1. Open the right inbox

Look in the email account you used to register your child for the test. Some areas can only send results to that address.

2. Check spam or junk folders

Important emails sometimes land in the wrong place. Search for the name of your council or test provider.

3. Look for a letter or an online account

Watch the post, and check your council or grammar school website in case results are shared through a login.

4. Read the whole message

The result often comes with extra information, like the qualifying score and what to do next. Save the email or letter somewhere safe.

5. Check the score with your child's chosen schools

Each school or area has its own qualifying score. Compare your child's result with the score for the schools you like.

How to find out 11 plus results if nothing arrives

What if the results day passes and you still cannot see anything? Do not panic. This happens sometimes, and it is usually easy to fix. Here is how to find out 11 plus results when the email or letter has not arrived.

• Check that you are looking at the right email address, and look again in spam.

• Wait a few hours, because some areas send emails later in the day. Buckinghamshire, for example, sends results after 4 pm.

• Contact the admissions team that runs the test in your area. Their contact details are on your registration confirmation.

• Ask your child's primary school. In Kent, parents who have not received the result can ask the primary school for the scores the day after results go out.

Please be careful about sharing the result on social media. It contains personal information about your child, so it is best kept between you and the school.

What is inside your 11 plus results?

Most families are surprised to learn that 11 plus results are not a simple "number correct out of a total". They are usually standardised scores. A standardised score changes the raw marks to take your child's age into account. This is fair, because a child who turned 10 in September is a whole year younger than a child born in August.

Qualifying scores change by area and by year, so always use the figure published by your own area or school.

Some organisations do not share every detail. The King Edward VI Foundation, for example, says it does not give out raw scores or the number of marks in each section. It also explains that answer sheets are marked by computer and are not re-marked, because a re-mark would give the same score.

What to do after you get your 11 plus results

Once you have the result, the next steps are simple. Here is the road ahead.

1. Apply through your home council by 31 October

You must send in your secondary school application, even if your child has a great result. The result alone does not qualify for a school.

2. List schools in the order you love them

Councils use an equal preference system. If your child qualifies for two or more of your schools, they are offered the one you ranked highest. Putting a grammar school first does not harm your chances at the other schools on your list.

3. Only list schools your child qualifies for

If your child did not reach the qualifying score for a grammar school, that school will not be able to offer a place. Read each school's rules carefully before you decide.

4. Wait for National Offer Day

Offers for secondary schools are sent on 1 March 2027. You must accept the offer by the date given in your offer letter, or the place may be given to someone else.

If your child did not reach the qualifying score

First, a big hug. It can feel very hard when a result is not what you hoped for. But please remember that one test does not show how clever, kind, or hard-working your child is. There are many great schools, and many paths to a happy and successful future.

Here is what you can do:

• Read the guidance that came with the result. Some areas give extra steps and deadlines.

• Ask about reviews. In Buckinghamshire, for example, families can ask for a Selection Review, and the deadline is in late October. In Kent, the primary headteacher gives an assessment as part of the process. Check your own area for what it offers.

• Remember appeals. If a school cannot offer a place, you can appeal after offers are made on 1 March 2027.

• Choose other schools you like. You can still apply to other schools by 31 October. Good non-selective schools are a great option too.

Every family needs different support. If you would like friendly guidance on what to do next, you can look for an 11 plus tuition in Birmingham that families trust, and our team would love to help.

How to help your child on results day

Results day can bring big feelings, for children and for parents. Here are some gentle ideas.

• Choose a calm moment. Open the results at home, when you are both relaxed.

• Start with kind words. Say how proud you are of the hard work, whatever the score is.

• Do not compare. Every child learns at their own pace.

• Plan something fun. A walk, a treat or a family film can help everyone feel better.

• Talk about next steps together. Your child will feel safer if they know there is a plan.

Planning ahead for next year's 11 plus results

Is your child in Year 5 right now? Then you have a wonderful head start. Families who begin early can learn at a calm and friendly pace. Here are five ways we help children get ready, so that results day feels a lot less scary.

1. Get used to the style of questions

Our 11+ past papers help children see how questions are worded and what the tests feel like, so nothing feels like a surprise.

2. Start with something free

Not sure where to begin? Try our 11+ free practice papers and see which topics your child finds easy and which need more love.

3. Practise like it is the real thing

Our 11 plus mocks let children practise in exam-style conditions, so the real test day feels familiar and calm.

4. Use the summer well

The holidays before Year 6 are a great time to build skills without school pressure. Our 11 plus intensive summer course brings the key topics together in a clear, friendly way.

5. Get steady, expert guidance

Some children just need a little extra help to feel sure of themselves. Our 11 plus tuition focuses on understanding, so children feel proud of what they can do.

Final thoughts

So, how do you get 11 plus results? The council or grammar schools that run the test send them, usually by email in October, and always before the 31 October application deadline. Check your registration email, look at your council or school website, and keep your child's result safe.

Whatever the result, your child has worked hard and should feel proud. At Pass 11 Plus Grammar, we are here to guide you through every step, from the first practice paper to the day the results arrive.