Can my child sit the grammar school 11+ AND independent school exams?

Yes. Many families apply for both. The grammar 11+ is in September, independent school exams are November–January, so there is no scheduling conflict. You can accept a grammar place and decline independent offers (or vice versa) after results arrive.

Is the grammar school 11+ easier than independent school exams?

Different, not easier. The grammar 11+ (GL/CEM) is multiple-choice and tests speed and accuracy. Independent school exams are written, go deeper in English and Maths, and usually include an interview. A child who excels at one format may not suit the other. Prepare for each specifically.

Do independent schools interview children? Grammar schools don't, do they?

Correct. Grammar schools do not interview. Independent schools almost always do. The interview assesses curiosity, confidence, communication, and character. It is not an interrogation — schools want to see a child who is engaged and enthusiastic, not one who has rehearsed answers.

What happens if my child passes the grammar test but also gets an independent school offer?

You choose. You are not committed to either until you formally accept. Consider: grammar schools are free and academically selective; independent schools offer smaller classes, broader co-curricular, and different pastoral models. Visit both, compare the specific schools (not just the categories), and choose based on your child.

Are grammar schools really as good as independent schools?

On raw results, top grammar schools match or beat many independent schools — because they select the highest-ability pupils for free. On value-added measures, some comprehensives outperform both. What independent schools offer beyond academics — smaller classes, wider co-curricular, facilities — is a separate calculation from exam results alone.

Does my child need tutoring for the 11+?

For grammar schools: familiarisation with the exam format (GL or CEM) is important, but an avid reader with strong maths can pass with practice papers alone. The Sutton Trust estimates tutoring adds 10–15 standardised points. For independent schools: the written format rewards depth of reading and mathematical reasoning that develops over years, not weeks of tutoring.

Are there grammar schools in Scotland or Wales?

No. Grammar schools were abolished in Scotland and Wales decades ago. The only grammar schools in the UK are in England (~163 schools) and Northern Ireland (~65 schools). In Scotland and Wales, the only route to academically selective education is the independent sector.

How does the Northern Ireland transfer test compare?

Northern Ireland's transfer test is unique: two rival exam systems (AQE and GL Assessment) operate in parallel. Both are sat in November of P7 (Year 6 equivalent). The key difference from England is that NI grammar schools are state-funded and free — so there is no cost to the family beyond preparation materials.

What are the registration fees for independent school 11+ exams?

Typically £100–£500 per school. These are non-refundable, regardless of whether your child sits the exam. If applying to 4–6 schools, registration fees alone can total £1,000–£2,500. Grammar school applications are free.

Can my child apply to an independent school from a state primary?

Absolutely. Many children enter independent senior schools at 11+ from state primaries — this is the most common entry route outside London. Prep school attendance is not required. Some independent schools actively recruit from state primaries and offer bursaries to pupils who cannot afford fees.

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Parent Guide

11+ Independent vs Grammar School: What's Actually Different?

The “11+” means completely different things depending on whether you're aiming for a grammar school or an independent school. Same age, same year group — different exams, different process, different cost.

20\u201325 min readEngland, NI & cross-UKUpdated April 2026

Key facts

Grammar schools are free; independent school fees range from £15,000–£42,000/year (day) or up to £65,000 (boarding).
Grammar 11+ exams are multiple-choice (GL or CEM); independent school 11+ papers require written answers and often include an interview.
There are 163 grammar schools in England and 65 in Northern Ireland — Scotland and Wales have none.
Grammar school exams happen in September of Year 6; independent school exams run November–January.
You can apply for both simultaneously — the timelines do not clash.

163

Grammar schools in England

Grammar schools in Northern Ireland (free)

£0

Cost of grammar school tuition

£42k

Top-end independent day fees per year

Side-by-Side Comparison

Everything that differs between the grammar school 11+ and independent school 11+, in one table.

	Grammar School 11+	Independent School 11+
Cost	Free (state school)	Fees: £15,000–£42,000/year (day), £40,000–£65,000 (boarding)
Exam format	Multiple-choice (GL Assessment or CEM). Speed and accuracy.	Written answers. School-designed or ISEB papers. Depth and reasoning.
Exam date	September of Year 6	November–January of Year 6
Results	October (6–8 weeks after exam)	January–February
Interview	No	Yes — standard at most schools
Subjects tested	English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning (varies by area)	English, Maths (often with reasoning). Some add Science or general paper.
Application route	Via local authority (single application form)	Direct to each school (separate registration + fee per school)
Registration fee	Free	£100–£500 per school (non-refundable)
Selection basis	Pass/fail threshold (standardised score, usually 111–121+)	Holistic: exam results + interview + school report + head’s reference
Number of preferences	1 school per area (some allow multiple grammar preferences)	As many as you like (families typically apply to 3–6)
Class sizes	30 (same as state)	15–22 typically
Curriculum	National Curriculum (GCSEs)	Own curriculum (GCSEs or iGCSEs, A-levels or IB)

Cost

Grammar

Free (state school)

Independent

Fees: £15,000–£42,000/year (day), £40,000–£65,000 (boarding)

Exam format

Grammar

Multiple-choice (GL Assessment or CEM). Speed and accuracy.

Independent

Written answers. School-designed or ISEB papers. Depth and reasoning.

Exam date

Grammar

September of Year 6

Independent

November–January of Year 6

Results

Grammar

October (6–8 weeks after exam)

Independent

January–February

Interview

Grammar

Independent

Yes — standard at most schools

Subjects tested

Grammar

English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning (varies by area)

Independent

English, Maths (often with reasoning). Some add Science or general paper.

Application route

Grammar

Via local authority (single application form)

Independent

Direct to each school (separate registration + fee per school)

Registration fee

Grammar

Free

Independent

£100–£500 per school (non-refundable)

Selection basis

Grammar

Pass/fail threshold (standardised score, usually 111–121+)

Independent

Holistic: exam results + interview + school report + head’s reference

Number of preferences

Grammar

1 school per area (some allow multiple grammar preferences)

Independent

As many as you like (families typically apply to 3–6)

Class sizes

Grammar

30 (same as state)

Independent

15–22 typically

Curriculum

Grammar

National Curriculum (GCSEs)

Independent

Own curriculum (GCSEs or iGCSEs, A-levels or IB)

Grammar vs Independent at 11+

	Grammar School	Independent School
Fees	Free	£12,000–£25,000+/year
Entry test	GL or CEM 11+	School-specific or ISEB pre-test
Places available	~164,000 total (England)	Varies by school
Class size	~28–30	~15–20
Selection basis	Exam score only	Exam + interview + references
Geographic restriction	Must live in catchment area	None (can be UK-wide)
Bursary available	N/A — free	Yes, up to 100% fees

Grammar School

Fees: Free
Entry test: GL or CEM 11+
Places available: ~164,000 total (England)
Class size: ~28–30
Selection basis: Exam score only
Geographic restriction: Must live in catchment area
Bursary available: N/A — free

Independent School

Fees: £12,000–£25,000+/year
Entry test: School-specific or ISEB pre-test
Places available: Varies by school
Class size: ~15–20
Selection basis: Exam + interview + references
Geographic restriction: None (can be UK-wide)
Bursary available: Yes, up to 100% fees

Compare independent and grammar schools

Side-by-side comparison across academics, Ofsted, fees, and more.

The Exam Providers

Four different exam systems, each testing different things in different ways. Knowing which your target schools use is the first step to preparation.

GL Assessment

Used by: Most grammar school areas (Buckinghamshire, parts of Kent, Hertfordshire, etc.)

Format: Multiple choice. 2–4 papers in one morning. Standardised age-adjusted scores.

Subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning — varies by area.

Scoring: Standardised score with a mean of 100. Most grammars set thresholds of 111–121+.

Key fact: The most widely used 11+ test in England. More predictable and "coachable" than CEM.

CEM (Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring)

Used by: Some grammar school areas (parts of Kent, Warwickshire, Devon, etc.)

Format: Multiple choice. Designed to be harder to prepare for — questions are unfamiliar and time-pressured.

Subjects: Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning (combined papers).

Scoring: Standardised age-adjusted score. Threshold varies by school.

Key fact: Deliberately designed to minimise the advantage of tutoring. Less past-paper material available.

School-designed papers (independent schools)

Used by: Most independent day schools at 11+

Format: Written answers (not multiple choice). Often longer and deeper than grammar papers.

Subjects: English (comprehension + creative writing), Maths (problem-solving, beyond KS2). Some add reasoning.

Scoring: Holistic assessment combining exam score, interview, school report, and references.

Key fact: Schools design their own papers to find the type of pupil they want — not just the highest scorers.

ISEB Common Pre-Test

Used by: ~75 independent schools (mainly for 13+ pre-selection, but some use at 11+)

Format: Online adaptive test. Questions get harder based on performance. Taken at the child’s current school.

Subjects: English (40 min), Maths (40 min), Verbal Reasoning (25 min), Non-Verbal Reasoning (30 min).

Scoring: Results sent directly to the senior schools. No pass/fail — each school sets its own threshold.

Key fact: Register once with ISEB and results go to multiple schools. Gateway to Eton, Harrow, Winchester at 13+.

Northern Ireland: The Transfer Test

Northern Ireland is unique in the UK. Grammar schools are free, state-funded, and academically selective. The official 11+ was abolished in 2008, but grammar schools created their own replacement tests. Two rival systems now operate:

AQE (Association for Quality Education)

Format: Three papers sat on three Saturdays in November. English and Maths only. Scored out of 120.

Used by: 34 grammar schools, mainly in Belfast and eastern NI.

Key fact: Replaced the old Transfer Test for one group of grammar schools.

GL Assessment (PPTC)

Format: Two papers sat on one Saturday. English, Maths, and English/Maths combined.

Used by: ~35 grammar schools, mainly Catholic schools and some in western NI.

Key fact: Provided by GL Assessment (same company that runs the English grammar 11+).

Many families register their children for both tests to maximise options. The tests are sat in November of P7 (equivalent to Year 6). Results arrive in January/February. Virtually all selective secondary education in NI is free — the independent sector barely exists.

Scotland & Wales: No Grammar Schools

Grammar schools were abolished in Scotland and Wales decades ago. In these nations, the only route to academically selective education is the independent sector.

Scotland

~72 independent schools. Schools set their own entrance tests (no Common Entrance, no GL/CEM). Many schools test at P7 entry (equivalent to Year 7). The dual-qualification system means some schools offer Scottish Highers, others offer English GCSEs and A-levels, and three offer the IB.

Key point: There is no centralised 11+ system in Scotland. Each school runs its own admissions process.

Wales

~28 mainstream independent schools. A very small sector. Most families who want selective education either choose one of the few Welsh independents or look cross-border to English schools in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, or Bristol.

Key point: Welsh-medium (bilingual) education is entirely state-funded. No independent school offers primarily Welsh-medium education.

The 11+ Timeline: Grammar and Independent Together

If you're applying for both grammar and independent schools, here's how the two timelines fit together.

Year 4 (age 8–9)

Start researching schools. Visit open days. Decide whether to aim for grammar, independent, or both.

Year 5 (age 9–10)

Begin structured preparation (practice papers, familiarisation with exam format). Register for independent schools (£100–£500 per school). Register for grammar school tests (free, via local authority or school).

September (Year 6)

Grammar school 11+ exam (GL or CEM). Typically one morning.

October (Year 6)

Grammar school results arrive (6–8 weeks after exam).

November–January (Year 6)

Independent school 11+ exams. Each school sets its own date. Written papers + interview.

January–February (Year 6)

Independent school results and offers. Grammar school application deadline (via local authority common application form).

1 March (Year 6)

National Offer Day for secondary schools (England). Grammar school places confirmed.

Which Is Right for Your Child?

There is no universally “better” option. The right choice depends on your child, your area, and your budget.

Grammar school may suit your child if…

You live in a grammar school area (only certain counties in England, plus NI)
Cost is a primary concern (grammar is free)
Your child thrives in timed, multiple-choice conditions
You are comfortable with larger class sizes (30)
Your child does not need a broad co-curricular programme
You are happy with the National Curriculum (GCSEs, not iGCSEs or IB)

Independent school may suit your child if…

You can afford fees (£15k–£42k+/year) or qualify for a bursary
Smaller class sizes (15–22) matter to you
You value a wide co-curricular programme (sport, music, drama, CCF)
Your child performs better with written, open-ended assessment
You want curriculum flexibility (iGCSEs, IB, wider subject range)
You are looking for boarding (grammar schools do not offer this)

Apply for both

If you live in a grammar school area, there is no reason not to apply for the grammar 11+ (free) alongside independent school applications. The exams do not clash. You can compare offers and choose after seeing results.

Common Questions

Sources

This guide draws on the School Admissions Code (England), GL Assessment and CEM published guidance, ISEB published information, AQE and PPTC (NI) published frameworks, SCIS data on Scottish independent schools, the ISC Annual Census 2025, and the Sutton Trust research on tutoring and selection. This guide is for general information only. Admissions policies, inspection frameworks, and school structures change regularly — always verify current details with the relevant school, local authority, or official body. Last reviewed April 2026.

Compare grammar and independent schools near you

School Atlas Pro shows you 15 years of results data, Progress 8 scores, demand ratios, and parent satisfaction — so you can compare grammar and independent schools head-to-head with real evidence.

See Pro features Compare schools

Was this guide helpful?

Related guides

Grammar School Entry & the 11+

Test formats, preparation, regions, and what to expect

Independent School Entry

Every entry point from 4+ to 16+

The Prep School System

How the independent school pipeline works

School Performance Data

Progress 8 and what results actually mean

Find grammar and independent schools near you

Search by postcode, filter by school type, and compare results side by side.

Search schools Compare schools

Parent Guide

11+ Independent vs Grammar School: What's Actually Different?

20\u201325 min readEngland, NI & cross-UKUpdated April 2026

Key facts

Grammar schools are free; independent school fees range from £15,000–£42,000/year (day) or up to £65,000 (boarding).
Grammar 11+ exams are multiple-choice (GL or CEM); independent school 11+ papers require written answers and often include an interview.
There are 163 grammar schools in England and 65 in Northern Ireland — Scotland and Wales have none.
Grammar school exams happen in September of Year 6; independent school exams run November–January.
You can apply for both simultaneously — the timelines do not clash.

163

Grammar schools in England

Grammar schools in Northern Ireland (free)

£0

Cost of grammar school tuition

£42k

Top-end independent day fees per year

Side-by-Side Comparison

Everything that differs between the grammar school 11+ and independent school 11+, in one table.

	Grammar School 11+	Independent School 11+
Cost	Free (state school)	Fees: £15,000–£42,000/year (day), £40,000–£65,000 (boarding)
Exam format	Multiple-choice (GL Assessment or CEM). Speed and accuracy.	Written answers. School-designed or ISEB papers. Depth and reasoning.
Exam date	September of Year 6	November–January of Year 6
Results	October (6–8 weeks after exam)	January–February
Interview	No	Yes — standard at most schools
Subjects tested	English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning (varies by area)	English, Maths (often with reasoning). Some add Science or general paper.
Application route	Via local authority (single application form)	Direct to each school (separate registration + fee per school)
Registration fee	Free	£100–£500 per school (non-refundable)
Selection basis	Pass/fail threshold (standardised score, usually 111–121+)	Holistic: exam results + interview + school report + head’s reference
Number of preferences	1 school per area (some allow multiple grammar preferences)	As many as you like (families typically apply to 3–6)
Class sizes	30 (same as state)	15–22 typically
Curriculum	National Curriculum (GCSEs)	Own curriculum (GCSEs or iGCSEs, A-levels or IB)

Cost

Grammar

Free (state school)

Independent

Fees: £15,000–£42,000/year (day), £40,000–£65,000 (boarding)

Exam format

Grammar

Multiple-choice (GL Assessment or CEM). Speed and accuracy.

Independent

Written answers. School-designed or ISEB papers. Depth and reasoning.

Exam date

Grammar

September of Year 6

Independent

November–January of Year 6

Results

Grammar

October (6–8 weeks after exam)

Independent

January–February

Interview

Grammar

Independent

Yes — standard at most schools

Subjects tested

Grammar

English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning (varies by area)

Independent

English, Maths (often with reasoning). Some add Science or general paper.

Application route

Grammar

Via local authority (single application form)

Independent

Direct to each school (separate registration + fee per school)

Registration fee

Grammar

Free

Independent

£100–£500 per school (non-refundable)

Selection basis

Grammar

Pass/fail threshold (standardised score, usually 111–121+)

Independent

Holistic: exam results + interview + school report + head’s reference

Number of preferences

Grammar

1 school per area (some allow multiple grammar preferences)

Independent

As many as you like (families typically apply to 3–6)

Class sizes

Grammar

30 (same as state)

Independent

15–22 typically

Curriculum

Grammar

National Curriculum (GCSEs)

Independent

Own curriculum (GCSEs or iGCSEs, A-levels or IB)

Grammar vs Independent at 11+

	Grammar School	Independent School
Fees	Free	£12,000–£25,000+/year
Entry test	GL or CEM 11+	School-specific or ISEB pre-test
Places available	~164,000 total (England)	Varies by school
Class size	~28–30	~15–20
Selection basis	Exam score only	Exam + interview + references
Geographic restriction	Must live in catchment area	None (can be UK-wide)
Bursary available	N/A — free	Yes, up to 100% fees

Grammar School

Fees: Free
Entry test: GL or CEM 11+
Places available: ~164,000 total (England)
Class size: ~28–30
Selection basis: Exam score only
Geographic restriction: Must live in catchment area
Bursary available: N/A — free

Independent School

Fees: £12,000–£25,000+/year
Entry test: School-specific or ISEB pre-test
Places available: Varies by school
Class size: ~15–20
Selection basis: Exam + interview + references
Geographic restriction: None (can be UK-wide)
Bursary available: Yes, up to 100% fees

Compare independent and grammar schools

Side-by-side comparison across academics, Ofsted, fees, and more.

The Exam Providers

Four different exam systems, each testing different things in different ways. Knowing which your target schools use is the first step to preparation.

GL Assessment

Used by: Most grammar school areas (Buckinghamshire, parts of Kent, Hertfordshire, etc.)

Format: Multiple choice. 2–4 papers in one morning. Standardised age-adjusted scores.

Subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning — varies by area.

Scoring: Standardised score with a mean of 100. Most grammars set thresholds of 111–121+.

Key fact: The most widely used 11+ test in England. More predictable and "coachable" than CEM.

CEM (Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring)

Used by: Some grammar school areas (parts of Kent, Warwickshire, Devon, etc.)

Format: Multiple choice. Designed to be harder to prepare for — questions are unfamiliar and time-pressured.

Subjects: Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning (combined papers).

Scoring: Standardised age-adjusted score. Threshold varies by school.

Key fact: Deliberately designed to minimise the advantage of tutoring. Less past-paper material available.

School-designed papers (independent schools)

Used by: Most independent day schools at 11+

Format: Written answers (not multiple choice). Often longer and deeper than grammar papers.

Subjects: English (comprehension + creative writing), Maths (problem-solving, beyond KS2). Some add reasoning.

Scoring: Holistic assessment combining exam score, interview, school report, and references.

Key fact: Schools design their own papers to find the type of pupil they want — not just the highest scorers.

ISEB Common Pre-Test

Used by: ~75 independent schools (mainly for 13+ pre-selection, but some use at 11+)

Format: Online adaptive test. Questions get harder based on performance. Taken at the child’s current school.

Subjects: English (40 min), Maths (40 min), Verbal Reasoning (25 min), Non-Verbal Reasoning (30 min).

Scoring: Results sent directly to the senior schools. No pass/fail — each school sets its own threshold.

Key fact: Register once with ISEB and results go to multiple schools. Gateway to Eton, Harrow, Winchester at 13+.

Northern Ireland: The Transfer Test

AQE (Association for Quality Education)

Format: Three papers sat on three Saturdays in November. English and Maths only. Scored out of 120.

Used by: 34 grammar schools, mainly in Belfast and eastern NI.

Key fact: Replaced the old Transfer Test for one group of grammar schools.

GL Assessment (PPTC)

Format: Two papers sat on one Saturday. English, Maths, and English/Maths combined.

Used by: ~35 grammar schools, mainly Catholic schools and some in western NI.

Key fact: Provided by GL Assessment (same company that runs the English grammar 11+).

Scotland & Wales: No Grammar Schools

Grammar schools were abolished in Scotland and Wales decades ago. In these nations, the only route to academically selective education is the independent sector.

Scotland

Key point: There is no centralised 11+ system in Scotland. Each school runs its own admissions process.

Wales

Key point: Welsh-medium (bilingual) education is entirely state-funded. No independent school offers primarily Welsh-medium education.

The 11+ Timeline: Grammar and Independent Together

If you're applying for both grammar and independent schools, here's how the two timelines fit together.

Year 4 (age 8–9)

Start researching schools. Visit open days. Decide whether to aim for grammar, independent, or both.

Year 5 (age 9–10)

September (Year 6)

Grammar school 11+ exam (GL or CEM). Typically one morning.

October (Year 6)

Grammar school results arrive (6–8 weeks after exam).

November–January (Year 6)

Independent school 11+ exams. Each school sets its own date. Written papers + interview.

January–February (Year 6)

Independent school results and offers. Grammar school application deadline (via local authority common application form).

1 March (Year 6)

National Offer Day for secondary schools (England). Grammar school places confirmed.

Which Is Right for Your Child?

There is no universally “better” option. The right choice depends on your child, your area, and your budget.

Grammar school may suit your child if…

You live in a grammar school area (only certain counties in England, plus NI)
Cost is a primary concern (grammar is free)
Your child thrives in timed, multiple-choice conditions
You are comfortable with larger class sizes (30)
Your child does not need a broad co-curricular programme
You are happy with the National Curriculum (GCSEs, not iGCSEs or IB)

Independent school may suit your child if…

You can afford fees (£15k–£42k+/year) or qualify for a bursary
Smaller class sizes (15–22) matter to you
You value a wide co-curricular programme (sport, music, drama, CCF)
Your child performs better with written, open-ended assessment
You want curriculum flexibility (iGCSEs, IB, wider subject range)
You are looking for boarding (grammar schools do not offer this)

Apply for both

Common Questions

Sources

Compare grammar and independent schools near you

School Atlas Pro shows you 15 years of results data, Progress 8 scores, demand ratios, and parent satisfaction — so you can compare grammar and independent schools head-to-head with real evidence.

See Pro features Compare schools

Was this guide helpful?

Related guides

Grammar School Entry & the 11+

Test formats, preparation, regions, and what to expect

Independent School Entry

Every entry point from 4+ to 16+

The Prep School System

How the independent school pipeline works

School Performance Data

Progress 8 and what results actually mean

Find grammar and independent schools near you

Search by postcode, filter by school type, and compare results side by side.

Search schools Compare schools