Yorkshire 11 Plus
Key Info
11 Plus Exam Format
Find Schools
How to Apply
What is a Yorkshire 11 Plus Exam?
A Yorkshire 11 Plus entrance exam is a selective test used by a grammar school in the region. Every school has its own exam to assess children’s academic potential, with the exception of Crossley Heath Grammar School and North Halifax Grammar School who share one test between them. The test will likely include multiple-choice papers covering verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics and English. Question format, subjects assessed, and exam length can vary between schools, but the purpose of the test is always to identify students who are working at an advanced academic level, and allow them to progress through the later stages of the admissions process.
Children usually take a Yorkshire 11 Plus exam in the autumn term of Year 6, the year before they are aiming to start at a grammar school. There are usually distinct exams for different grammar schools and so it’s important to check each school’s individual admissions process to ensure your child is eligible to sit the test.
Key Information About Yorkshire 11 Plus Exams
Applies To:
6 Yorkshire grammar schools that use a Yorkshire 11 Plus exam for selecting students to progress through their admissions process.
Places Available:
Around 930 places are available across the Yorkshire grammar schools each year.
Applications:
Thousands of primary-school age children sit one of the Yorkshire 11 Plus exams each year.
Assessment Providers
Ermysted’s Grammar School and Ripon Grammar School use GL Assessment. The Halifax Grammar Schools, Heckmondwike Grammar School, and Skipton Girls’ High School use FCSE to provide their exams.
Yorkshire 11 Plus Exam Format
The Yorkshire 11 Plus exam generally consists of two multiple-choice test papers which assess a child’s academic aptitude in certain subjects. The test format may differ slightly between schools and providers. Below is what can generally expected from each of the providers of Yorkshire 11 Plus exams.
Two Papers (GL Assessment)
Schools which use GL Assessment:
- Ermysted’s Grammar School
- Ripon Grammar School
The exam consists of two timed papers which are taken on the same day with a short break in between.
- Paper 1: Multiple-choice questions on non-verbal ability (and maths for Ermysted’s)
- Paper 2: Multiple-choice questions on verbal reasoning (and English for Ermysted’s)
GL Assessment and other providers have familiarisation resources that you can use to help your child prepare for their Yorkshire 11 Plus exam.
Three Papers (FSCE)
Schools which use FSCE:
- Halifax Grammar Schools (Crossley Heath Grammar School & North Halifax Grammar School)
- Heckmondwike Grammar School
- Skipton Girls’ High School
FSCE exams assess your child’s knowledge solely in areas of the KS2 National Curriculum, with content which is learned up to the end of year five. The exam consists of three papers:
- Paper 1: Multiple-choice questions on English and maths
- Paper 2: Questions on English and maths which require short, written answers
- Paper 3: Creative writing question which needs a long form response
All answers should be given on the provided answer sheets.
GL Assessment Papers
GL is used by Ermysted’s Grammar School and Ripon Grammar School
Maths
English
Verbal Skills (English & Verbal Reasoning)
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
FSCE Assessment Papers
FSCE is used by The Halifax Grammar Schools, Heckmondwike Grammar School and Skipton Girls’ High School
Which Schools Use a Yorkshire 11+ Test?
A Yorkshire 11 Plus exam is used by 6 grammar schools across the region. Each of these school has its own admissions process and exam to help select candidates for Year 7 admissions.
Yorkshire 11+ Test Grammar Schools
The Halifax Grammar Schools (FSCE)
Crossley Heath Grammar School
North Halifax Grammar School
Individual (FSCE)
Heckmondwike Grammar School
Skipton Girls' High School
Individual (GL Assessment)
Ermysted's Grammar School
Ripon Grammar School
Yorkshire 11 Plus Pass Mark
Both the FSCE 11 Plus and the GL Assessment 11 Plus are standardised assessments, which means raw scores of questions answered correctly or marks awarded are converted to a standardised score. On this scale, 100 is the average.
There is no set pass mark. Schools will set a minimum score on this scale that children must achieve to be eligible for a place. Achieving eligibility does not guarantee a place at the school of your choice. If more children are eligible through the 11 Plus than there are places, they will have to qualify under the over-subscription criteria set out in each school’s admissions policy.
Admissions Criteria for the Yorkshire 11 Plus
Yorkshire 11 plus Admissions Criteria
Your child does not need to meet any formal requirements to sit their 11 Plus, but it is sensible that they should be:
- Planning to attend a grammar school in Yorkshire
- In Year 5, intending to start Year 7 in September 2026
- Working at or above age-appropriate academic levels
- Capable of handling timed reasoning tests and complex problem-solving questions
Yorkshire Grammar Schools Admissions Criteria
Once a child achieves the eligibility score, each school will apply its own admission criteria, which may include:
- Proximity to the school (catchment area)
- Pupil premium priority
- Sibling admissions
- Special educational needs or disabilities
- Looked-after or previously looked-after children
- Ranking by score
Refer to each school’s admissions policies for the criteria that they employ.
Key Dates for 2026 Entry
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Typically Opens Registration Typically Opens | Late March/April 2025 |
| Registration Typically Closes Registration Typically Closes | June 2025 |
| Yorkshire 11 Plus Test Date Yorkshire 11 Plus Test Date | September 2025 |
| Results Day Results Day | October 2025 |
| Secondary School Application Deadline Secondary School Application Deadline | Friday 31st October 2025 |
| National Offer day National Offer day | Monday 2nd March 2026 |
How to Apply for a Yorkshire 11 Plus Exam
To register your child for a Yorkshire 11 Plus exam, you need to apply directly to the individual school you are interested in. For Crossley Heath Grammar School and North Halifax Grammar School, however, you can register just once for the entrance exam for both schools as they operate a joint admissions registration process.
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Register online – Visit the school’s website complete the online application form before the registration window closes. It is important to check the dates for the specific school because registration windows for each school vary. Typically, the registration window takes place in the summer term of Year 5, in advance of the test itself in the autumn term of Year 6.
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Choose your test centre – The test is generally held at the school itself, but always check the specific location if you are applying to a school outside of your local area.
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Keep a copy of your confirmation and login details – Once you have registered, keep a copy of any confirmation emails and any login information for the respective portals for reference.
It is important to note that registering your child for a Yorkshire 11 Plus Exam is not the same as applying to the school. You must also complete the school application process separately.
Preparing for the Yorkshire 11 Plus Exam
Effective revision will help your child succeed in their Yorkshire 11 Plus exam. Here are some tips to support your child throughout:
- Start preparation early: Begin in Year 4 or the beginning of Year 5, allowing plenty of time to build knowledge and confidence.
- Use practice papers: Work through Yorkshire 11 Plus mock exams and other past papers to familiarise your child with the exam format for the provider and working under timed conditions. Not that Future Stories does not provide practice or past papers for their exams in an effort to keep grammar school admissions as fair as possible for all students. You can access familiarisation materials through the schools’ websites to get your child accustomed to the format.
- Focus on areas of weakness: Identify any topic areas where your child does less well and dedicate more time to practising these.
- Encourage regular reading: Reading daily can extend vocabulary, spelling, and critical thinking skills, all of which are essential skills for the Yorkshire 11 Plus, and the FSCE 11 Plus in particular.
- Utilise online resources: Use online learning platforms that offer tailored practice sessions for the Yorkshire 11 Plus exam and immediate feedback to your child.
Staying consistent with revision and support is vital to ensure your child will be well-prepared and confident for the Yorkshire 11 Plus exam.
Yorkshire 11 Plus FAQs
Which Yorkshire Grammar Schools use which providers?
The majority of schools use FSCE. These are Crossley Heath Grammar School, North Halifax Grammar School, Heckmondwike Grammar School and Skipton Girls’ High School. Only Ermysted’s Grammar School and Ripon Grammar School use GL Assessment as their provider.
How many grammar school places are available through a Yorkshire 11 Plus test each year?
There are around 930 places available each year through the Yorkshire grammar schools.
What subjects are covered in a Yorkshire 11 Plus test?
The subjects vary depending on the provider. Both GL Assessment and FSCE assess maths and English, but the former has multiple-choice questions and also includes verbal and non-verbal reasoning, whereas the latter also has a creative writing section.
What is the pass mark for the Yorkshire 11 Plus?
There is no universal pass mark for all 11 Plus tests in Yorkshire, nor do they remain constant year-on-year. Each school will standardise the scores to ensure fairness, before calculating the cut off, which is sometimes calculated based on the top percentage of the cohort.
How do I register my child for their Yorkshire 11 Plus test?
You can register your child on the school’s website for their 11 Plus exam. This is not the same as applying for a place at the school, so make sure to complete both these separate applications within the active windows. When in doubt, contact the school’s admissions team.
Can my child use their Yorkshire 11 Plus test result for more than one grammar school?
Only the Halifax Grammar Schools, Crossley Heath Grammar School and North Halifax Grammar School, share an entrance exam. All other 11 Plus exams are individual to the schools and so multiple tests must be taken for multiple applications, however, providers are shared between schools so exam formats and subjects should be familiar.