The Yorkshire 11+ test explained

There are six grammar schools within the county of Yorkshire, but they are divided between three local authorities: Calderdale, Kirklees and North Yorkshire.

The entrance tests vary across the different local authorities.

The Calderdale schools test verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths and English (continuous writing), but the writing task is only taken into account for the final 25 per cent of places.

The North Yorkshire schools test verbal and non-verbal reasoning, and some test English and mathematics, too. But the tests vary from school to school, so it's worth checking with their admissions team. 

Heckmondwike School test a range of reasoning skills in a variety of contexts and may have a creative writing element. 

All of the schools apart from Heckmondwike currently use GL Assessment tests.

Heckmondwike tests were written by CEM. However, CEM will no longer be providing 11+ tests from September 2023. Further information will be added to this page in due course. We recommend contacting individual schools for more information about their new test provider. 

If you're interested in either of the Calderdale schools, you can find a registration form on the local authority website as well as more detailed information about the tests themselves.

Parents interested in Heckmondwike Grammar need to complete an online registration form via the school website in order for their child to take the entrance test. 

Children living in North Yorkshire are automatically entered for the selection test provided they live in and attend a maintained primary school in the selective area. If you don't want your child to take the test or apply for a grammar school place, you can choose to withdraw them from testing. If you don't live within the catchment area or if your child attends an independent or out-of-area school, you need to apply for them to take the selection test via the local authority website. If you're considering Skipton Girls’ High School, you need to contact the school directly in order to register for the selection tests.

For many of the schools, the venue for sitting the admissions test will be based on the pupil’s home address wherever possible irrespective of which is your preference school. In North Yorkshire, your child will be tested at their own primary school.

The pass mark varies between the schools, so you'll need to look at each school's website for further information on their selection procedure. As a general rule, selective schools aim to provide a grammar school education for the top 25 per cent of children in terms of ability.

Many of the schools in the county will provide parents with a familiarisation booklet once you they have registered for their child to sit the entrance test. North Yorkshire local authority also has sample questions available on its website. In addition, GL Assessment produces a range of official practice papers and supporting materials, which are available in bookshops and online.

You can find useful area-specific e-papers created and designed to reflect the Yorkshire 11+ exam formats from Exam Paper Plus.

Please note that although every effort has been made to ensure the information we provide is accurate, admissions arrangements for Year 7 entry change regularly and it is essential to check for the most up-to-date advice on schools' own websites.

NB: TheSchoolRun receives a small commission from sales made through Exam Paper Plus.