As the September 11 Plus entrance exam approaches, it’s natural for you and your child to have questions about what to expect. We’ve gathered insights from former Teach Wessex students who have sat the exam to help you feel informed, prepared and reassured.
Our 11 Plus FAQs cover common questions about exam day and preparing for grammar school entrance exams in Bournemouth and Poole. From what to bring to managing nerves, you’ll find practical advice to help your child approach the day with confidence.
Q. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁?
You will either be seated in the school hall or one of the classrooms of the Grammar School you have registered with.
Q. 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀?
Other students taking the exam and an exam invigilator. They will prepare the room and invigilate the exams.
Q. 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺?
Yes, there will be a clock in the room.
Q. 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁
Yes, they will provide rough paper.
Q. 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺?
No, you are not allowed to talk or communicate with anyone in the room. This includes smiling, nodding or looking at anyone else’s answer sheet.
Q. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁?
The English paper lasts 45 minutes, maths & verbal reasoning last 50 minutes each.
Q. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺?
The questions will be multiple choice. You will be given a choice of four or five possible answers for each question. You must choose the one answer that you think is correct.
Q. 𝗗𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁, 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿?
You need to record your answers on the answer sheets provided by marking the correct answer with a thin horizontal line.
Q. 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲?
No, mascots are not allowed as they can be a distraction to you and others.
Q. 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺?
You are allowed to take snacks to the exam, but these are only for the break. You are allowed a water bottle.
Q. 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺?
No, your parents/carer will drop you at the school, 15-30 minutes before the start and then pick you up 3 – 3.5 hours later.
Q. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸?
Every school’s pass mark is different. The scores are standardised using a complex statistical process, with the average score being 100. This takes into account your age and the difficulty of the paper. Children born early in the academic year need a higher score to pass compared to younger students, as they are more likely to have a higher level of vocabulary compared to younger students.
If you have any further questions on the 11 Plus, or thinking about tuition for your child, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.
