How to Register for the Bucks 11 Plus: Step-by-Step Guide
Registration for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test closes in June of Year 5. Missing this deadline means your child cannot sit the test. Here is exactly how registration works, who is responsible for it, and what to do if your situation is unusual.
12 questions across all four domains — instant GL-style score and readiness band. No account needed.
Step 1: Check If Your Child's School Registers Automatically
If your child attends a state primary school in Buckinghamshire, the school is responsible for registering them once you have indicated you wish them to sit the test. The school typically sends out information to Year 5 parents in the spring term asking who wishes to register. Return this promptly and keep a record of doing so. Do not assume the school has registered your child — confirm with the school office that your child is on the registered list.
Step 2: Independent and Out-of-County Families Register Directly
If your child attends an independent school, is educated at home, or lives outside Buckinghamshire, you must register directly with Buckinghamshire Council. The registration process and form are available through the TBGS website (thebucksgrammarschools.org) and Buckinghamshire Council's school admissions pages. You will be assigned a test centre in Buckinghamshire where your child will sit the test. Register early — do not leave this until close to the June deadline.
Step 3: Confirm Registration Before the June Deadline
Regardless of how your child is being registered, confirm that registration has been completed before the June deadline. Ask the school for written confirmation, or check directly with Buckinghamshire Council if registering independently. The deadline is firm — there is no grace period and no automatic notification if your registration has not been processed correctly.
What Happens After Registration
After registration closes, Buckinghamshire Council processes all entries and assigns test centres where relevant. Closer to the test date (September), families receive confirmation of the test arrangements — typically the test location (usually the child's own school for in-county children) and any additional instructions. The test itself is sat in September of Year 6. Results follow in October.
Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the school has registered your child without checking — Always confirm in writing.
- Registering late — The June deadline is firm. There is no advantage to waiting.
- Not checking the TBGS website for the current year's dates — Deadlines can shift slightly year to year. Always verify from the official source.
- Forgetting to complete out-of-county registration — Independent school and out-of-county families are responsible for their own registration. Schools do not do this for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does registration for the Bucks 11 Plus open and close?
Registration opens in the spring term of Year 5 — typically around January or February. It closes in June of Year 5. The exact dates are published each year by The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) and Buckinghamshire Council on their official websites. Missing the June deadline means missing the test entirely — there are very limited provisions for late registration.
Who registers my child for the 11+?
In-county Buckinghamshire state primary school children are typically registered by their school once parents have indicated they wish their child to sit the test. The school handles the administrative process with Buckinghamshire Council. However, parents should not assume this has been done — confirm directly with the school office. Children at independent schools and out-of-county children must register directly with Buckinghamshire Council via the TBGS website.
Can children from outside Buckinghamshire sit the 11+?
Yes. The Secondary Transfer Test is open to any child in England. Out-of-county children must register directly with Buckinghamshire Council rather than through a school. They are assigned a test centre (typically a school in Buckinghamshire) rather than sitting at their own school. All other aspects of the test — format, marking, qualifying score — are identical for in-county and out-of-county children.
What happens if we miss the registration deadline?
Missing the June deadline effectively means your child cannot sit the test. Late registration is occasionally possible in genuinely exceptional circumstances (such as a family relocating to Buckinghamshire after the deadline), but there is no guarantee. Contact Buckinghamshire Council's admissions team immediately if you believe you have missed the deadline — the earlier you contact them, the more likely it is that a resolution can be found. Do not wait to see if the deadline is flexible; act immediately.
Is there a fee to register for the 11+?
No. Registration for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test is free. The test is part of the state school admissions process in Buckinghamshire and has no registration fee. If you encounter a service claiming to charge for registration, contact Buckinghamshire Council directly to verify the process.