11+ in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a fully selective county where most children automatically sit the Secondary Transfer Test in Year 6. The test is designed to be familiarisation-based rather than heavily tutored, covering verbal, non-verbal and numerical reasoning.
Exam board
Secondary Transfer Test (11+) — set by The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS)
Competition
With a county-wide test and many grammar places, the system is broad, but popular schools in Beaconsfield, High Wycombe and Aylesbury are competitive.
Deadlines
Children at Bucks state primaries are usually registered automatically; out-of-county and independent-school families must register, typically by late summer before the September Year 6 test.
Parent guide
- The Bucks test emphasises reasoning; build comfort with verbal and non-verbal question types alongside maths.
- TBGS promotes a familiarisation approach, so focus on understanding question formats and timing rather than over-tutoring.
- A qualifying standardised score (commonly cited around 121) is used — treat it as a guide, not a guarantee.
We’re adding individual school guides for Buckinghamshire. In the meantime, browse all grammar school guides or compare GL vs CEM.
Top tips for Buckinghamshire
- Make sure out-of-county registration is completed on time if you are not at a Bucks primary.
- Prioritise reasoning practice, as it carries significant weight in the Bucks test.
FAQs
What score do you need to pass the Bucks 11+?+
A standardised qualifying score around 121 is commonly referenced, but the exact threshold and how scores combine can change — always check the current TBGS arrangements.
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