11+ Exam Pass Rate 2026
Complete analysis of 11+ Exam exam difficulty, pass rates, and strategies to pass on your first attempt.
Pass Rate
Difficulty Verdict
Very Difficult
Recommended Study Time
12-20+ weeks
Typical Attempts
2-3 attempts common
11+ Exam has one of the toughest pass rates at ~20-25% pass. This is a hard-difficulty exam from GL/CEM/School-specific that requires deep, practical knowledge, not just memorization. Most successful candidates invest months of dedicated study and often have years of hands-on experience. At Free-£150 per attempt, failing is costly. If you fail, you'll wait There is no retake within an admissions round. Each area runs one sitting per cohort per year, and SEAG states there is no alternative date for an individual pupil who misses one of the two papers. The next opportunity is the following year's late transfer assessment, for entry into Year 8, 9 or 10. before retaking. The certification is valid for 1 year, so investing in solid prep pays off long-term.
Top Reasons Candidates Fail 11+ Exam:
Do This for 11+ Exam
- Taken at age 10-11
- Verbal reasoning, non-verbal, maths, English
- GL vs CEM format varies by region
- Bond and CGP books for prep
Avoid This
- Studying content without learning test-taking strategies
- Not reviewing wrong answers to understand reasoning
- Skipping the essay/writing section prep (it counts)
- Taking the exam before completing at least 3 full practice tests
Ready to Beat the Odds?
Get our complete 11+ Exam study guide with practice questions.