Plymouth 11 Plus
Key Info
11 Plus Exam Format
Find Schools
How to Apply
What is the Plymouth 11 Plus?
The Plymouth 11 Plus is an entrance exam set by the 2 girls’ grammar schools in Plymouth, namely Devonport High School for Girls and Plymouth High School for Girls. Designed to assess you child’s academic ability, the test plays a crucial part in the admissions process for both selective schools. The exam consists of one English paper and one maths paper. Each multiple-choice paper lasts around 45 minutes and are taken on separate days.
Both of the schools use the same Plymouth 11 Plus test papers. This means that every girl applying to the grammar schools will take the same test. For 2026 entry, the 11 Plus Plymouth English paper will be sat on Saturday 13th September 2025 and the maths paper will take place a week later on Saturday 20th September 2025.
Any child that wants to sit the entrance exam for September 2026 entry must registered in advance by midday on Sunday 31st August 2025. Children can be registered with either school regardless of which one they wish to apply to, and do not need to be registered at both.
Key Information About the 11 Plus Plymouth
Applies To:
Devonport High School for Girls and Plymouth High School for Girls.
Test Format:
One multiple-choice English paper, and one multiple-choice maths paper, sat on different days. Both papers are provided by GL Assessment.
Eligibility:
There is no formal entrance criteria that children must meet to sit the exam, but the Plymouth 11 Plus takes place in-person at one of the schools, so overseas testing is not possible.
Places Available:
There are 278 selective places across the two schools which use this Plymouth entrance exam.
Applications:
Over the past few years, there have been less places than there have been applicants.
11 Plus Plymouth Exam Format
The Plymouth 11 Plus that Devonport High School for Girls and Plymouth High School for Girls use for their admissions processes includes 2 papers on maths and English, split by subject and taken separately.
Paper 1: English (GL Assessment)
The first paper that your daughter will take will be a multiple-choice paper provided by GL Assessment. The test will cover the standard KS2 curriculum and will assess comprehension skills.
Paper 2: Maths (GL Assessment)
The second and final paper on the Plymouth 11 Plus is the maths paper. As in the English paper, all of the questions will be multiple-choice. GL Assessment provides the paper which uses the KS2 curriculum to test numeracy and mathematical skill levels.
GL Assessment Papers
Plymouth 11 Plus Mock Exams
The schools both run a mock Plymouth 11 Plus exam which allows your daughter to familiarise herself with the test style and exam venue. The difference is that during the mock session, children will sit both the English and the maths papers on the same day instead of on separate days.
Just as for the real Plymouth 11 Plus, you need to register your daughter online on either of the school websites, not both:
Registration for the 11 plus mock exam session for children aiming for 2026 entry will open at 3pm on Tuesday 22nd April and close on Friday 23rd May 2025. There is a limit of 170 spaces available at each school and registration may close early if all places are filled.
The mock exam will be held at both schools on Saturday 5th July 2025, from 8am to 12:30pm. Results will be issued on Friday 18th July 2025.
Which Schools Use the Plymouth 11 Plus?
The 11 Plus in Plymouth is used by both girls’ schools in the area.
Devon - Plymouth Council
Devonport High School for Girls
Plymouth High School for Girls
Admissions Criteria for the Plymouth 11 Plus
The only specific admissions criteria to sit the Plymouth 11 Plus is that your daughter must be present at one of the two schools on the day of the test. There is no overseas provision.
There are also several other factors for who is suitable for the test. The Plymouth 11 Plus examination taking place in 2025 is for children who are:
- Aiming for a selective secondary school place in Plymouth
- Born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015
- Working in the top 25% of their year group academically
Key Dates for 2026 Entry
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Mock Exam Registration Opens Mock Exam Registration Opens | Tuesday 22nd April 2025 |
| Plymouth 11+ Registration Opens Plymouth 11+ Registration Opens | Monday 28th April 2025 |
| Mock Exam Registration Closes Mock Exam Registration Closes | Friday 23rd May 2025 |
| Mock Exam Mock Exam | Saturday 5th July 2025 |
| Mock Exam Results Issued Via Email Mock Exam Results Issued Via Email | Friday 18th July 2025 |
| Plymouth 11+ Registration Closes Plymouth 11+ Registration Closes | Sunday 31st August 2025 |
| Information Letter Emailed Information Letter Emailed | Friday 5th September 2025 |
| Paper 1 - English Paper 1 - English | Saturday 13th September 2025 |
| Paper 2 - Maths Paper 2 - Maths | Saturday 20th September 2025 |
| Results Emailed Results Emailed | Friday 17th October 2025 |
| Common Application Form Deadline Common Application Form Deadline | Friday 31st October 2025 |
| National Cffer day National Cffer day | Monday 2nd March 2026 |
How to Apply for the Plymouth 11 Plus
Registering your child for the Plymouth 11 Plus, you’ll need to complete an online application. You only need to register your child to sit the tests at one of the schools, and this does not need to be the school she wishes to join.
- Consider the 11 Plus Mock Exam Plymouth offers – For your daughter to enter the mock exam session on Saturday 5th July 2025, you need to register online with one of the schools before Friday 23rd May 2025. There are only 170 places available to sit the mock exam at each school and registration may close early if all places are filled.
- Register for the Plymouth 11 Plus online – Register your child to sit the real Plymouth 11 plus exam online at either Devonport High School for Girls or Plymouth High School for Girls. The registration opened on Monday 28th April 2025 and the deadline for completion is midday on Sunday 31st August 2025.
- Keep an eye out for details – 11 Plus information letters will be emailed to all parents who have successfully registered their child on Friday 5th September 2025. If for any reason you have not received this, contact the school that you chose for your child to sit the exam at.
Preparing for the Plymouth 11 Plus Exams
Assisting your child in their preparation for the Plymouth 11 Plus exams can help them hugely. Some practical strategies to support their preparation are:
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Start Early: Begin preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5 to ensure enough time to gradually build skills without the need for last-minute cramming.
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Use Practice Papers: Work through 11 Plus exam papers and timed mock exams with your child. This will help them get familiar with the format, build confidence, and improve time management skills.
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Focus on Weak Areas: Tracking your child’s progress and identifying areas they find more challenging can lead to significant improvement in their overall performance.
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Encourage Daily Reading: Regular reading enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and analytical thinking, all of which are essential for a successful score in the Plymouth 11 Plus.
- Try Online Tools: Educational platforms can provide personalised feedback and opportunities for practice which can make study sessions more interactive and thus effective.
If you maintain a consistent and structured approach to revision you can help your child feel confident and encouraged for the Plymouth 11 Plus.
Plymouth 11 Plus FAQs
Who can sit the Plymouth 11 Plus exam?
Any child who is of the right age for entering year & in 2026 can take the Plymouth 11 Plus exam, as long as they are able to complete the exam in-person at one of the schools.
How many grammar school places are available through the Plymouth test each year?
There are 278 places across the two grammar schools who use the Plymouth 11 Plus exam.
What subjects are covered in the Plymouth 11 Plus test?
The Plymouth test has one English paper and one maths paper. Both are provided by GL Assessment and are of a multiple-choice format.
Can my daughter practice the Plymouth 11 Plus?
The Plymouth grammar schools hold a mock entrance exam to allow children to practice the exam formats within the room for them to familiarise themselves with the set up before the big day. You will need to register your daughter for the mock exam just as you do for the real exam. These are separate registrations but are done in similar ways on the schools’ websites.
How do I register my child for the Plymouth 11 Plus test?
You can register your child on either of the schools’ websites. You must complete this during the registration window, but you only need to register your child once for the application to be suitable for both schools.
Can my child use their Plymouth test result for more than one grammar school?
Yes, your child only needs to sit the Plymouth 11 Plus once and their result can be used for entrance into both Devonport High School for Girls and Plymouth High School for Girls.