GL/CEM/School-specific
11+ Exam Pass Rate 2026
Complete analysis of 11+ Exam exam difficulty, pass rates, and strategies to pass on your first attempt.
Pass Rate Overview
~20-25% pass
Pass Rate
20% Pass
80% Fail
Difficulty Verdict
Very Difficult
Recommended Study Time
12-20+ weeks
Typical Attempts
2-3 attempts common
Why is the 11+ Exam Pass Rate ~20-25% pass?
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. The certification is valid for 1 year, so investing in solid prep pays off long-term.
Top Reasons Candidates Fail 11+ Exam:
30%
Weak foundation in core subject areas tested
25%
Poor time management across timed sections
20%
Not taking enough full-length practice tests under real conditions
15%
Test anxiety affecting performance on exam day
10%
Focusing on content review without strategic test-taking practice
How to Beat the ~20-25% pass Pass Rate
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.
Other Exam Pass Rates
ACTN/A (score-based)GED (General Educational Development)~80%AP Exams (Advanced Placement)~60% score 3+JEE Main~25% qualify for AdvancedNEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)~50% qualifyCAT (Common Admission Test)~1% get IIM callsGATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)~17%UKCAT/UCATN/A (score-based)BMATN/A (score-based)