Harrow 11 Plus guide

Is there a single Harrow 11 Plus exam?

No. Harrow has no state grammar schools and there is no borough-wide Harrow 11 Plus test. Families considering selective schools outside Harrow need to follow the admissions process for each school or consortium. Independent school entrance assessments are separate again.

Start with the schools rather than a generic practice pack. Our grammar-schools guide below explains nearby options in Barnet, Enfield, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire; some have postcode, distance or faith criteria that can affect a Harrow child’s eligibility.

Make a school shortlist before buying papers

• Read each school’s current admissions policy, including catchment, residence and any faith requirements.
• Check which subjects are tested, whether answers are multiple choice or written, and whether there is more than one round.
• Record test registration and supplementary-form deadlines separately from the council school application.
• Try the journey at school-run time and consider whether it is manageable every day.
• Keep suitable non-selective schools in your plans. A qualifying test result is not a guarantee of a place.

What should your child practise for the 11 Plus?

The mix varies by school. Do not assume every entrance test includes all four areas, or that a paper labelled ‘11 Plus’ matches your chosen school.

• Maths: secure arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages and multi-step problem solving; ask your child to explain their method.
• English: reading comprehension and vocabulary, with spelling, grammar and written work where the school tests them.
• Verbal Reasoning: word relationships, codes and logical patterns, if required by the school’s test.
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: shape patterns, sequences and spatial reasoning, where these are part of the assessment.
• Exam technique: following instructions, recording answers accurately, deciding when to move on and checking work.

Build a preparation plan around your child

Begin with a short assessment of Maths and English rather than a full timed paper. Notice whether mistakes come from an unfamiliar topic, misunderstood wording or rushing. These need different kinds of practice.

In Year 3 or Year 4, prioritise reading, number confidence and curiosity. In Year 5, use the school shortlist to introduce relevant reasoning and question formats. Add timing gradually once your child can answer accurately without a clock. For a detailed admissions sequence, use our timeline guide below.

An example weekly routine at home

This is a suggested starting point, not a requirement. Shorten or adapt it to your child’s schoolwork, confidence and other activities; leave time for rest.

• Read together regularly: discuss unfamiliar words and ask what evidence supports an answer.
• Choose one Maths skill to practise in short sessions, then try a problem that uses it in a different way.
• Alternate comprehension and a relevant reasoning activity rather than covering every subject every day.
• Keep an error notebook: write the cause of each mistake and revisit one similar question later.
• Review the week calmly: recognise one improvement and choose one priority for the next week.

Use practice papers to find gaps, not just scores

Look for familiarisation material linked from the school, consortium or named test provider. Check the format before purchasing extra papers. A percentage from one publisher is not a school’s admission threshold and cannot predict an offer.

Once the basics are secure, try timed sections and then an appropriate mock. Afterwards, separate knowledge gaps from timing and answer-sheet mistakes. Our mock-exam guide explains how to use that feedback without turning every session into a test.

Keep test registration and school applications separate

Registering for an entrance test does not submit your secondary school choices. Harrow residents apply through Harrow Council even when their preferred state school is outside the borough. Follow the school’s own instructions for its test and any supplementary forms.

Harrow’s published September 2027-entry timetable had a school-application deadline of 31 October 2026, which has now passed. If this is your child’s entry year and you have not applied, consult the council’s late-application guidance promptly. For later entry years, confirm the newly published dates rather than reusing last year’s deadlines.

11 Plus support at Excel Academy in Harrow

Excel Academy’s 11 Plus preparation course supports Years 3–5 with Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and timed exam technique. Lessons are available at Cunningham House, 19–21 Westfield Lane, Harrow HA3 9ED, and online.

Use a free assessment to discuss your child’s current skills and the schools you are considering. Then choose small-group or one-to-one support around the areas that need attention. Tuition supports preparation; it cannot guarantee admission.