Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (11+)
The Secondary Transfer Test (STTS) is the single 11+ used by all 13 Buckinghamshire grammars, taken in early September of Year 6. It combines Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths into one age-standardised composite; the qualifying threshold is 121. Children at Bucks state primaries are auto-registered.
Exam board
GL Assessment (administered by The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools / TBGS)
Max score
170
Highest standardised result
Qualifying score
121
2026 threshold
Test duration
64 min
Papers
2
Year 7 places
2,331
Across consortium
Applicants per place
4.0×
Typical competition
Test format
Two multiple-choice papers administered by GL Assessment. Paper 1: Verbal Reasoning (50 min). Paper 2: Non-Verbal Reasoning (50 min).
Selection method used
Subjects tested
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
Competition (latest)
9,389 applicants chasing 2,331 places · 4.0× per place
Paper-by-paper breakdown
Practice / Familiarisation Test
Two days before the main testSat at school so children get acclimatised on the day.
Paper 1
≈ 60 minutesVerbal Reasoning + Non-Verbal Reasoning + Mathematical Reasoning questions, multiple choice.
Paper 2
≈ 60 minutesSame subject mix as Paper 1. Composite weighting across both papers: 50% VR, 25% Maths, 25% NVR.
Annual timeline
Confirm exact dates each year on the council pageRegistration opens
1 May (10am)
Registration deadline
2 June (3pm)
Test window
Practice Test 8 September; STTS 10 September
Results release
9 October
How to prepare
- Multiple-choice format. GL Assessment publishes free familiarisation materials at gl-assessment.co.uk/free-familiarisation.
- Verbal reasoning carries 50% of the composite — invest practice time accordingly. NVR and Maths each carry 25%.
- A practice test runs two days before the real test, so the format is familiar on the day.
- Score is age-standardised — younger children get a small uplift, older children a small reduction.
- TBGS publishes guidance at thebucksgrammarschools.org.
Important to know
- 13 grammars use the test: Aylesbury Grammar, Aylesbury High, Beaconsfield High, Burnham Grammar, Chesham Grammar, Dr Challoner's Grammar, Dr Challoner's High, John Hampden Grammar, Royal Grammar (High Wycombe), Royal Latin (Buckingham), Sir Henry Floyd Grammar, Sir William Borlase's, Wycombe High.
- State-funded Bucks primary and Partner-school children are AUTO-REGISTERED — parents only need to register if their child is at a Milton Keynes / other LA / private school.
- Parents can opt out — children only sit if registered (or if at a Bucks state primary, can be formally withdrawn).
- Selection Review panel (HTA equivalent): 2 grammar HTs + 1 primary HT can deem a child qualified despite scoring below 121, using head-teacher recommendation + Summary Sheet (state-funded Bucks / Partner pupils only).
- Scoring 121+ does NOT guarantee a place — each grammar applies its own oversubscription criteria (SEND/EHCP, looked-after, sibling, distance/catchment).
- 25% extra time and other access arrangements require formal evidence submitted by the primary head.
- Composite range is 60–170, not 282 — the test reports one combined age-standardised number, not a raw sum across papers.
About the qualifying score: Age-standardised composite. Council expects ≈37% of test-takers to qualify. A score above 121 gives no priority advantage. Always check the latest threshold on the council's admissions arrangements before applying.
Official links
Sources used on this page
- buckinghamshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/.../grammar-schools-and-transfer-testing-11
- buckinghamshire.gov.uk — STTS marking guide & Selection Review pages
- thebucksgrammarschools.org/tbgs-schools
Schools using this test(13)
Aylesbury Grammar School
Buckinghamshire · boys
Aylesbury High School
Buckinghamshire · girls
Beaconsfield High School
Buckinghamshire · girls
Burnham Grammar School
Buckinghamshire · mixed
Chesham Grammar School
Buckinghamshire · mixed
Dr Challoner's Grammar School
Buckinghamshire · boys
Dr Challoner's High School
Buckinghamshire · girls
John Hampden Grammar School
Buckinghamshire · boys
Royal Latin School
Buckinghamshire · mixed
Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School
Buckinghamshire · mixed
Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
Buckinghamshire · mixed
The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire · boys
Wycombe High School
Buckinghamshire · girls
Next key date
Friday, 19 June 2026
registration deadline — Final day to register for the 11+ exam
Where to go next
- Each school sets its own qualifying score and oversubscription rules — open a school page above for the per-school detail.
- Use the Chances Calculator with your postcode to see your likelihood at every school in this consortium.
- Council and school admissions pages are the authoritative source for registration deadlines and test dates.