Bucks 11 Plus Tests GL-Style Diagnostic
Reference Guide

Bucks 11+ Glossary: Key Terms Explained

Every term, acronym, and concept you will encounter when preparing for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test — clearly explained for parents.

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All Terms (A–Z)

Definition
Age Standardisation

The statistical adjustment applied to raw scores to account for a child's exact age, ensuring fairness across the year group.

Definition
Audio Instructions

The recorded voice that directs children through the Secondary Transfer Test — a distinctive feature many children find surprising.

Definition
Catchment Area

The informal geographic area from which a school tends to draw most of its pupils, based on historic distance cut-offs.

Definition
Diagnostic Assessment

An assessment designed to identify specific strengths and weaknesses across the four 11+ domains, to focus preparation.

Definition
Distance Criterion

The straight-line distance from a child's home to the school, used as the final tiebreaker in grammar school admissions.

Definition
English Comprehension

The reading and inference domain of the Bucks 11+, based on a passage with multiple-choice questions.

Definition
GL Assessment

The educational assessment company that produces the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test.

Definition
Looked-After Child (LAC)

A child in the care of a local authority — given highest admissions priority at all grammar schools.

Definition
Mathematical Reasoning

The maths domain of the Bucks 11+, covering KS2 and early KS3 topics under timed, multiple-choice conditions.

Definition
National Offer Day

The date in March when Year 7 secondary school place offers are released to families across England.

Definition
Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR)

The domain testing pattern recognition, spatial awareness, and logical thinking using shapes rather than words.

Definition
Open Evening / Open Day

An event held by grammar schools where prospective families can visit, ask questions, and learn about the school.

Definition
Oversubscription Criteria

The rules used to allocate grammar school places when more children qualify than places are available.

Definition
Practice Papers

Published past or specimen test papers used by children to practise the 11+ format under realistic conditions.

Definition
Qualifying Score (121)

The minimum standardised score of 121 required for grammar school eligibility in Buckinghamshire.

Definition
Raw Score

The total number of correct answers across both papers of the Secondary Transfer Test, before age standardisation.

Definition
SCAF (Secondary Common Application Form)

The form submitted by parents to apply for Year 7 school places after the 11+ result is known.

Definition
Secondary Transfer Test

The Buckinghamshire 11+ entrance exam, produced by GL Assessment, sat by Year 6 children in September.

Definition
Spatial Reasoning

The ability to mentally manipulate and reason about shapes and objects in space — tested within the NVR domain.

Definition
Standardised Score

An age-adjusted score that allows fair comparison between children of different ages in the same year group.

Definition
TBGS (The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools)

The consortium of all 13 state grammar schools in Buckinghamshire that jointly administers the Secondary Transfer Test.

Definition
Verbal Reasoning

One of the four domains of the Bucks 11+, testing language logic through word relationships, codes, and analogies.

Independent educational resource. Not affiliated with The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools, GL Assessment, or any individual grammar school. Information is for guidance only. Always verify admissions details directly with schools and Buckinghamshire Council.