Every parent of a Year 5 child knows that feeling. The moment you decide your child is going to sit the grammar school entrance test, a clock starts ticking. And the single most important thing you need to know, before revision guides, tutors, or mock tests, is the 11 plus exam dates for your region.
Miss the registration window and none of the preparation matters. Get the date wrong and your child could miss their chance entirely. That is how critical this information is.
The 11 plus exam dates vary significantly depending on where you live in England. Kent does things differently from Birmingham. Essex runs its own system separate from Buckinghamshire. Trafford has its own schedule that catches many families off guard. This article brings all of that information together in one clear, easy-to-read place so that you can plan properly and give your child the best possible chance.
If you are asking when is the 11 plus exam 2026, you are in exactly the right place. Let us go through every major region one by one.
Why Getting the Dates Right Matters More Than Anything Else
Before we get into the specifics, let us talk about why the 11 plus exam calendar 2026 deserves your full attention right now, even if the exam feels far away.
Here is the reality:
- Registration deadlines often close months before the actual exam
- Missing the deadline means your child cannot sit the test, regardless of how prepared they are
- Some regions require separate registrations for different schools
- The Common Application Form deadline 2026 is separate from the 11 plus registration itself and many families confuse the two
- Results come out on different dates depending on your region, and you need to be ready to act quickly
Planning ahead is not just helpful. It is essential. The families who are calm and confident on exam day are usually the ones who sorted their dates and deadlines months in advance.
What Makes Each Region Different
England does not have a single national 11 plus system. Each region, and sometimes each individual grammar school, runs its own process. That is why 11 plus exam dates by region can look so different from one area to another.
Some regions use the GL Assessment test. Others use CEM. Some areas have consortium tests where one result applies to multiple schools. Others require separate applications to each school.
Understanding your specific region is the first and most important step. Let us go through each of the major areas now.
Kent: One of the Largest Grammar School Systems in England
Kent is unique. It is one of the few remaining fully selective counties in England, which means the grammar school system there is much larger and more structured than almost anywhere else.
The Kent Test dates 2026 are typically set for September of the year before entry. So for children starting grammar school in September 2027, the Kent Test would take place in September 2026.
Here is what Kent families need to know:
- Registration for the Kent Test usually opens in the spring term, around February or March
- The registration deadline is typically in June
- The actual Kent Test dates 2026 fall in mid to late September
- Results are usually released in October, giving families time before the Common Application Form deadline
- Children sit the test in their own primary school, which removes a lot of exam day nerves
The Kent Test covers English, maths, and reasoning. It is set by GL Assessment and is the same across all Kent grammar schools, which makes it slightly simpler to prepare for than regions where different schools use different tests.
One important thing to note for Kent families is that you do not need to name specific grammar schools when you register for the test. That comes later through the standard admissions process.
If you live in Kent, getting the 11 plus exam dates right is particularly important because the registration window opens and closes much earlier than many parents expect.
Essex: The CSSE and What Parents Often Miss
Essex has its own organisation, the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex, known as CSSE, which manages admissions for most of the grammar schools in the county.
The Essex CSSE exam date 2026 is typically set for the second Saturday in September. For the 2026 sitting, this falls in mid-September, in line with grammar school exam dates September 2026 across many regions.
Key points for Essex families:
- Registration for the CSSE exam opens around May and closes in late June
- The test covers English and mathematics, each sat on the same morning
- Results are usually released in October
- The CSSE result is shared across member schools, so you only need to sit the test once to be considered by multiple Essex grammar schools
- Some schools in Essex, particularly in Southend, operate independently and have separate registration processes
The Essex system is more straightforward than some other regions because of the consortium approach. However, families sometimes assume they are automatically registered when they are not. Always confirm your registration directly with CSSE.
The 11 plus exam dates UK regions can be confusing when you live near a county border. Essex families near the London border sometimes consider Redbridge or Barking grammar schools as well, which have completely separate dates and processes.
Buckinghamshire: A Fully Selective County with Its Own System
Like Kent, Buckinghamshire is a fully selective county. Almost every state secondary school in Buckinghamshire is a grammar school, which gives it a very different character from most of England.
The Buckinghamshire 11 plus exam date 2026 is typically held in September, usually in the second or third week of the month. Children sit the test at secondary schools rather than their primary, which can feel unfamiliar, so it helps to visit the venue beforehand if possible.
What Buckinghamshire families need to know:
- Registration opens in the spring and closes around June
- The test is set by GL Assessment and covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and maths
- There are two papers sat on the same day
- Results typically come out in October
- Buckinghamshire uses a standardised score, and schools have their own cut-off scores which vary slightly
The Buckinghamshire 11 plus exam date 2026 is one of the earlier ones in the September cluster, which means preparation needs to be well underway by the summer holidays at the latest.
One thing that confuses many families is that Buckinghamshire also offers a review process if a child narrowly misses the pass mark. Understanding this option in advance can be genuinely reassuring.
Birmingham: A Competitive City with Multiple Processes
Birmingham has a number of selective grammar schools, and the Birmingham 11 plus exam date 2026 is set by individual schools rather than a regional consortium.
This means that in Birmingham, the process is more fragmented:
- Different schools may test on different dates in September and October
- Some schools use GL Assessment, others use their own tests
- Registration deadlines vary by school
- Families often apply to multiple schools and need to track multiple deadlines simultaneously
The key Birmingham grammar schools include King Edward VI schools, which are among the most sought-after in the country. The King Edward VI consortium runs a shared test, which simplifies things slightly for families applying to those schools specifically.
For the Birmingham 11 plus exam date 2026, families should:
- Check each school’s individual admissions page from January onwards
- Register separately for each school or consortium they are interested in
- Note that registration deadlines can be as early as May or June
- Be prepared for results to come out at different times from different schools
Birmingham is also close to areas like Sutton Coldfield and Solihull which have their own grammar schools with separate processes. If you are considering cross-boundary applications, the 11 plus exam dates by county approach becomes essential for staying organised.
Trafford: A Smaller System That Still Deserves Careful Attention
Trafford in Greater Manchester is home to several grammar schools, and the Trafford 11 plus exam date is another one that many families only discover when they start looking seriously at secondary options.
Key information for Trafford families:
- The Trafford 11 plus exam date typically falls in September
- Registration opens in spring and has a deadline around June
- The test is set by GL Assessment and covers verbal reasoning, maths, and English
- Results are released in October before the secondary school application deadline
Trafford grammar schools include Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Sale Grammar School, and Stretford Grammar School, among others.
The Trafford consortium approach means one test can be used for multiple schools, which is helpful. However, families still need to register for the test separately from the standard school application process.
One thing that surprises many Trafford families is how early the 11 plus registration deadline 2026 falls. By the time summer holidays arrive, registration is already closed. Families who start looking in September are already too late.
Other Important Regions to Know About
While Kent, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham, and Trafford are the most commonly discussed, several other regions have significant grammar school populations with their own dates.
Bexley
The Bexley 11 plus exam date is typically in September. Bexley is part of London and its grammar schools are highly competitive given the large population they draw from. Registration is usually required by June.
Medway
The Medway 11 plus test date is set for September and follows a similar pattern to Kent, which makes sense given Medway’s geographic proximity to Kent. Medway has its own consortium of grammar schools with a shared test.
Sutton
The Sutton SET exam date 2026, where SET stands for Sutton Educational Test, is one of the most competitive grammar school entry points in the country. Sutton grammar schools consistently rank among the best in England. The test is typically held in September and results are released before the London secondary school deadline in October.
The Full 11 Plus Key Dates Timeline 2026
To help you see the big picture, here is the 11 plus key dates timeline 2026 that most families should be working around:
- January to February: Start researching grammar schools in your area and understand which consortium or test applies
- February to March: Registration windows begin to open for most regions
- April to May: Most registration windows are open; do not delay
- June: Registration deadlines for most regions, including Kent, Essex, Bucks, and Trafford
- July to August: Final preparation period; summer holidays are prime revision time
- September: Grammar school exam dates September 2026 across most regions
- October: 11 plus results date 2026 released across most regions
- October to November: Common Application Form deadline 2026 for secondary school places; this is when you officially name your preferred schools
- December to January 2027: Secondary school offer letters go out on National Offer Day
Understanding this timeline is the difference between families who feel in control and those who are constantly reacting in panic.
When Do Grammar School Results Come Out?
This is one of the most searched questions once the exam is over. When do grammar school results come out depends on your region, but here are the general patterns:
- Kent: Results typically released in mid-October
- Essex: Results released in October
- Buckinghamshire: Results released in October
- Birmingham: Varies by school, but generally October
- Trafford: Results released in October
- Sutton and Bexley: Results released before the London secondary school deadline in late October
The 11 plus results date 2026 is something parents mark on their calendars months in advance. It can feel like a very long wait from September to October, but having a clear date in mind helps manage the anxiety.
It is important to remember that receiving results does not mean the process is over. After results come the decisions about which schools to include on the Common Application Form, and that form has its own strict deadline.
Common Mistakes Families Make with 11 Plus Dates
After talking to hundreds of families, these are the most common mistakes:
- Confusing the 11 plus registration deadline with the school application deadline. They are two completely different things.
- Assuming registration is automatic. In almost every region, you must actively register for the 11 plus separately.
- Not checking whether their child’s preferred schools use the consortium test or a separate test.
- Missing the results date and being unprepared for next steps.
- Leaving preparation too late because they underestimated how early the registration windows close.
None of these mistakes are made by careless parents. They are made by busy parents who simply did not know what they did not know. That is exactly why having a clear guide to 11 plus exam dates matters so much.
How Quest for Exams Helps Your Child Prepare for the 11 Plus No Matter Which Region You Are In
At Quest for Exams, we support families across every major grammar school region in England. Whether your child is sitting the Kent Test, the Essex CSSE, the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, or the grammar school entrance tests in Birmingham, Trafford, Bexley, or Sutton, we have the resources they need to prepare thoroughly and perform confidently.
Here is what Quest for Exams provides for families preparing for the 11 Plus Exam Dates in any region.
We provide full-length authentic mock papers in GL Assessment format, which is used directly or in a closely related form across Kent, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Trafford, Bexley, and many Birmingham schools. These papers replicate the real exam experience as accurately as possible, meaning every sitting is genuinely valuable practice rather than approximate preparation.
Our topic-wise question banks cover every subject area tested across all major regional 11 plus exams, including verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. Resources are organised by topic and difficulty, allowing preparation to be targeted precisely at the areas each child needs most.
We offer full timed mock exam sittings with immediate marking and detailed performance breakdowns, giving your child the regular timed practice that is essential in the weeks leading up to whichever grammar school exam dates September 2026 apply in your area.
Our detailed mark schemes and full answer explanations make the review process after every mock sitting as clear and productive as possible. Every wrong answer has a full explanation that helps your child understand not just what was right but how to approach similar questions in the future.
Our progress tracking tools show improvement across multiple mock sittings clearly and specifically, giving you the data to make smart preparation decisions as your specific 11 plus key dates timeline 2026 unfolds.
Our affordable bundle pricing makes comprehensive preparation accessible to every family regardless of budget, because we believe that every child who is capable of earning a grammar school place deserves the resources to prove it.
Visit Quest for Exams today and start building the preparation plan that fits your specific region, your specific schools, and your specific 11 Plus Exam Dates. Because knowing the dates is the first step, and being ready for what happens on those dates is everything.
FAQs
When is the 11 plus exam in 2026 for most areas?
For most regions including Kent, Essex, Buckinghamshire, and Trafford, grammar school exam dates September 2026 fall in the first two to three weeks of September. Some areas including parts of Birmingham and certain London boroughs test in early October. Always verify with each specific school.
What is the registration deadline for the 11 plus in 2026?
The 11 plus registration deadline 2026 varies by area. Most fall between late May and mid-July. Buckinghamshire typically closes registration in June. Kent, Essex, and Trafford usually close in late June or early July. Birmingham schools have individual deadlines that must be checked separately.
Are the Kent Test and the Medway test the same thing?
No. The Kent Test dates 2026 cover grammar schools administered by Kent County Council. The Medway 11 plus test date covers grammar schools in the Medway unitary authority, which is separate from Kent County Council. Families applying to schools in both areas must complete two separate registrations.
When do grammar school results come out in 2026?
The 11 plus results date 2026 for most areas falls in October, approximately four to six weeks after the September test. Kent and Buckinghamshire typically release results in mid-October. Families should expect results before the Common Application Form deadline 2026 of 31 October.
What is the Common Application Form deadline and why does it matter?
The Common Application Form deadline 2026 is 31 October, the national deadline by which every parent must have submitted their ranked secondary school preferences to their local council. This is completely separate from the 11 plus registration and test. Both must be completed for your child’s application to proceed.
Does the Trafford 11 plus exam follow the same dates as Greater Manchester?
The Trafford 11 plus exam date is managed by Trafford Council independently. Other Manchester boroughs have different arrangements. Families in Greater Manchester need to check each borough separately rather than assuming a unified Greater Manchester approach.
What is the Sutton SET exam and when does it take place?
The Sutton SET exam date 2026 refers to the Selective Eligibility Test used by grammar schools in the London Borough of Sutton. It typically takes place in September and is sat at the individual schools. Registration is completed through each school’s own admissions process rather than a centralised borough portal.
How do I find the exact 11 plus exam date for my specific school?
The most reliable source of accurate date information is always the individual school’s admissions page. Schools are required to publish their admissions policies, including key dates, by 15 March of the year before the relevant September entry. Check these pages directly and contact the admissions team if any information is unclear.