As you begin your 11+ journey in Buckinghamshire, you’ll immediately encounter a formal-sounding and slightly confusing term: the Secondary Transfer Test.
What is it? Is it different from the 11+? Why does it have such a complicated name?
This terminology can be a source of unnecessary stress for parents who are new to the process. At elevenplus.com, our mission is to cut through the jargon and provide you with clear, simple, and reassuring advice. This guide will explain exactly what the “Bucks Transfer Test” is in plain English.
In this definitive guide, you will learn:
- A simple, jargon-free definition of the Secondary Transfer Test.
- Which schools use the test and key dates for your diary.
- A detailed breakdown of the exam format and how it’s scored.
- The key, practical takeaways you need to know for your preparation.
So, What Exactly is the Secondary Transfer Test?
Let’s be clear: The Secondary Transfer Test is simply the official name for the 11+ exam used by all 13 grammar schools in Buckinghamshire.
That’s it. It’s not a different type of exam. “11+” and “Secondary Transfer Test” (often shortened to STT) are used interchangeably to describe the exact same thing. The formal name comes from the official process it represents: managing the academic selection of children as they transfer from primary to secondary school.
Which Schools Use the Test?
The STT is used by all 13 grammar schools in the county, which are collectively known as The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS). The schools are:
- 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 (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 (CAF): Friday 31st October 2025
Please note that dates can vary slightly, so it is always best to confirm with Buckinghamshire Council.
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.
What This Means for Your Child (The Plain English Version)
Despite its formal title, what your child will experience is a standard GL Assessment 11+ exam. Here’s what that means in practice:
- It’s one test for all 13 schools.
- It’s broken into two papers, both taken on the same day.
- Paper 1 (Verbal Skills): Covers English Comprehension, Technical English (SPaG), and Verbal Reasoning.
- Paper 2 (Maths & Non-Verbal Skills): Covers Mathematics, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and Spatial Reasoning.
- It’s multiple-choice, with answers marked on a separate sheet.
Understanding the Scoring: The Key to 121
After the test, your child’s score is age-standardised to ensure fairness. The final Secondary Transfer Test (STT) score is then calculated using a specific weighting:
- Verbal Skills: 50%
- Mathematical Skills: 25%
- Non-Verbal Skills: 25%
The qualifying score your child needs to achieve to be considered for a place is 121.
Worked Example: If 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
By stripping away the jargon, you can see the Buckinghamshire 11+ for what it is: a challenging but manageable exam that your child can prepare for with a calm, structured, and focused approach.
Ready to learn more about the specifics of the test?
➡️ Read our definitive guide: How to Prepare for the Buckinghamshire 11+ Test for a full breakdown of the exam format, timings, and a 4-step preparation strategy.
