For parents in Buckinghamshire, the 11+ journey is dominated by one key event: the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. Securing a place at one of the county’s 13 prestigious grammar schools is a significant goal for many families, but the path can seem complex and shrouded in mystery.
What exactly is the Transfer Test? What does it cover? And most importantly, what is the best way to prepare your child for success?
At elevenplus.com, we believe in providing clarity and confidence. This definitive guide will demystify the entire process. We will break down the exam format, explain the key skills your child needs, and provide a clear, actionable preparation strategy.
In this definitive guide, you will learn:
- Which schools use the Buckinghamshire Transfer Test.
- Key dates for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle.
- A detailed breakdown of the two exam papers, including subjects and timing.
- How the test is scored, including the specific weighting and a worked example.
- A 4-step expert strategy to guide your child’s preparation from start to finish.
Which Schools Use the Buckinghamshire Transfer Test?
The Secondary Transfer Test is used by all 13 grammar schools in the county, which are collectively known as The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS).
- Aylesbury Grammar School (boys)
- Aylesbury High School (girls)
- Beaconsfield High School (girls)
- Burnham Grammar School (co-educational)
- Chesham Grammar School (co-educational)
- Dr Challoner’s Grammar School (boys)
- Dr Challoner’s High School (girls)
- John Hampden Grammar School (boys)
- Royal Grammar School (boys)
- Royal Latin School (co-educational)
- Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School (co-educational)
- Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School (co-educational)
- Wycombe High School (girls)
Key Dates for your Diary (2025-2026 Entry)
- Registration Opens: Friday 2nd May 2025
- Registration Closes: Friday 13th June 2025 (3pm)
- Practice Test Date: Tuesday 9th September 2025
- Secondary Transfer Test Date: Thursday 11th September 2025
- Results Released to Parents: Friday 10th October 2025
- Secondary School Application Deadline: Friday 31st October 2025
Please note that dates can vary slightly, so it is always best to confirm with Buckinghamshire Council.
What is the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test?
In simple terms, the “Secondary Transfer Test” is the official name for the 11+ exam used by all 13 grammar schools in Buckinghamshire.
- Who creates it? The test is created by The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS), a company formed by the schools themselves to ensure a consistent and fair standard.
- Who administers it? The exam is provided and administered by GL Assessment, a leading provider of 11+ tests in the UK. This is crucial because it tells us the style of questions your child will face.
How to Register for the Test
This is a critical step where the process differs depending on your child’s current school.
- If your child attends a Buckinghamshire Primary School: You do not need to do anything. Your child is automatically registered to take the test.
- If your child attends a school outside of Buckinghamshire (or a private school): You must register your child for the test via the Buckinghamshire Council website during the registration window (2nd May – 13th June 2025).
The Exam Format: A Breakdown of the Two Papers
The Buckinghamshire Transfer Test consists of two separate papers, usually taken on the same day.
Paper 1: English and Verbal Skills (approx. 50 minutes) This paper focuses on language and reasoning. It includes:
- English Comprehension: Reading a passage of text and answering questions to test understanding, inference, and vocabulary.
- Technical English: Questions on spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG).
- Verbal Reasoning: Solving logic puzzles and problems based on words and language.
Paper 2: Maths and Non-Verbal Skills (approx. 50 minutes) This paper focuses on numerical and spatial reasoning. It includes:
- Mathematics: Questions covering the Key Stage 2 curriculum.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Identifying patterns and relationships in abstract shapes.
- Spatial Reasoning: Manipulating 2D and 3D shapes.
All questions across both papers are multiple-choice, and children mark their answers on a separate answer sheet.
Understanding the Scoring: The Key to 121
After the test, you don’t receive a raw score. Instead, the score is age-standardised to ensure fairness for children born later in the school year. The final Secondary Transfer Test (STT) score is then calculated using a specific weighting:
- Verbal Skills: 50%
- Mathematical Skills: 25%
- Non-Verbal Skills: 25%
Worked Example: Imagine your child achieves a standardised score of 130 in Verbal, 120 in Maths, and 105 in Non-Verbal. The calculation would be: (130 x 0.5) + (120 x 0.25) + (105 x 0.25) = 65 + 30 + 26.25 = 121.25
- The Qualifying Score: A qualifying score of 121 or above is required to be considered for a grammar school place.
- Catchment Areas: Achieving a score of 121 does not guarantee a place. The Buckinghamshire grammar schools have defined catchment areas. Children living within the catchment area are given priority.
Your 4-Step Preparation Strategy
A structured approach is the key to calm and effective preparation.
- Diagnose (Year 4 / early Year 5): The first step is to understand your child’s current strengths and weaknesses. Use a comprehensive diagnostic test to get a clear baseline across all the subjects covered in the Transfer Test.
- Build Core Skills (Year 5): Use the results of the diagnostic to focus your efforts. If the report flags fractions as a weakness, dedicate time to mastering that topic. This is the phase for building knowledge and confidence in a low-pressure way.
- Practice Timed Papers (Summer of Year 5): As the exam approaches, introduce full, timed practice papers. This builds stamina and familiarises your child with the unique pressures of working against the clock and managing a separate answer sheet.
- Refine Technique (Final Weeks): Use the results of these mock exams to identify any final areas of weakness or gaps in exam technique. Are they spending too long on one question? Are they making mistakes when transferring answers? This is the time for fine-tuning.
This journey is a marathon, not a sprint. By starting with a clear diagnosis and building skills methodically, you can help your child arrive on exam day feeling prepared, confident, and ready to show what they know.
Ready to take the first step?
➡️ Our free, 45-minute 11+ Diagnostic Test is aligned with the GL Assessment format and provides a detailed report on your child’s readiness for the Buckinghamshire Transfer Test.
