What is the difference between the 11+ and 11Plus?
The historical reason why there is a difference between the two
Until a generation ago, there was only the 11Plus and this was and is for admission to grammar schools. The 11+, a broader term, now refers to the new tests for independent school admissions.
Historical differences…
The difference goes back to the early history of grammar schools. From the Middle Ages onwards, the only schools which existed in England were grammar schools, founded by local benefactors to teach ‘Latin grammar’ to the ‘poor’ children in the area (usually the children of town professionals). Great and rich families would have private tutors instead of sending their children to schools. Many of today’s best schools began life as grammar schools and often still have ‘grammar school’ in the name, e.g. ‘Harrow School’ is officially called ‘The Free Grammar School of John Lyon within the town of Harrow-on-the-Hill'.
In the 19th century, with educational reforms and the introduction of some degree of compulsory schools for everyone, it became fashionable for great families to send their children to these schools. Many of the ‘Public Schools’ like Radley and Clifton were founded in this period. Existing grammar schools had to choose whether to remain free as per the terms of their original charter or become fee-paying schools such as Rugby.
Those schools which remained free became very oversubscribed as they offered a much higher standard of free education compared to other state schools and so introduced the 11Plus.
The new independent-school ‘11+’
Most independent boys’ boarding schools took (and still take) boys from the age of 13+ and therefore the 11+ was never part of the admissions process. Instead the entrance exams were just the Common Entrance exams sat the year before entry into the school. Boys’ day schools and Girls’ boarding schools, which took children from 11+, did have a form of entrance exam known as ‘11+’ but this was less common.
Today, since independent schools have become increasingly selective, additional tests have been introduced and Common Entrance is now just a formality.
N.B. Be careful about whether resources online or in book stores are designed for 11+ or the 11Plus as there are differences between the two tests!
What the 11+ contains:
The 11+ is a catch-all term for any test children sit in Y6/Y7 as part of the admissions process for an independent school. Most commonly the first stage is the ISEB Common Pre-Test, a computerised multiple choice test with questions on Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths and English. Alternatively for London girls’ schools, the 11+ Consortium Test is the most common test (now also computerised).
11+ also includes school-specific tests like the Harrow Test (historically sat in Y7 but now in Y6 and computerised), the Eton List Test and other school-specific exams. Each school set their own papers but these are now increasingly computerised (and change every year - so check with the specific school for most up to date information).
What the 11Plus contains:
The Grammar School 11Plus only exists in certain parts of the country. Geographically, grammar schools now only exist in certain local areas (shown in red below) and vary depending on the local council. Generally they all contain all elements of Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English and Maths.
In short, the best advice is double-check the resources you have are for the specific school you are preparing for and also check the latest information from schools. Please share and subscribe for more a weekly newsletter. If you have any questions, please leave them below or contact me through my website for a free 15-minute consultation.