Buckinghamshire 11 Plus Dates 2026: Registration, Test Day and Results — The Complete Timeline
Buckinghamshire 11 plus dates 2026 — knowing the key dates in the Secondary Transfer Test calendar is one of the most practically important things any family can do when planning for grammar school entry. Missing the registration deadline means missing the test entirely that year. This guide sets out the full timeline for the 2025/2026 cycle in the order it happens.
Important: Always Verify Dates Officially
The dates below are based on the established pattern from previous years and are strongly indicative of what to expect for the 2026 test cycle. However, Buckinghamshire Council confirms exact dates each year and these can shift. Always verify the current year's dates directly on the Buckinghamshire Council website or through your child's primary school. Do not rely on information from previous years, this guide, or parent forums as the definitive source — the official council website is the only authoritative source for current-year dates.
January to March (Year 5): Awareness and Early Planning
Parents of children currently in Year 5 who are considering grammar school entry should begin researching the Secondary Transfer Test process from the beginning of the spring term at the latest. January to March is the time to understand what the test involves, begin or significantly accelerate preparation, visit grammar school open evenings, and make a realistic assessment of their child's current level and the preparation needed.
April to June (Year 5): The Registration Window
Registration for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test opens in April of Year 5 and closes in late June. This is one of the most critical administrative steps in the entire process, and the deadline is firm. In-county children attending Buckinghamshire state primary schools are typically registered automatically through their school — but parents should confirm this with the school's Year 5 or office staff rather than assuming it has been done.
Children at independent schools anywhere, children living outside Buckinghamshire (opt-in candidates), and home-educated children must register directly through Buckinghamshire Council's online registration portal. Set a calendar reminder for the registration opening date and complete registration promptly rather than waiting until near the deadline.
September (Year 6): Test Day
The test is sat on a Saturday in mid-September of Year 6. Children arrive at their test centre at the specified time (typically 20-30 minutes before the test start time), register with the invigilator, and are shown to their seats. Both papers are sat on the same morning with a supervised break between them. Parents wait outside — not in the test room. Total time at the test centre is typically 2.5 to 3 hours from arrival to exit.
October (Year 6): Results
Results are published in mid-to-late October, typically four to six weeks after the test. Parents receive written or electronic notification of whether their child has achieved a qualifying score, along with the child's standardised score. Having prepared mentally for both outcomes before results day makes the period significantly less overwhelming. Having a list of preferred upper schools ready before results day is also strongly advisable, since secondary school applications open immediately after results are published.
October 31 (Year 6): Secondary School Application Deadline
Regardless of the 11 plus result, all families must submit their secondary school preferences through Buckinghamshire Council's Common Application Form (CAF) for secondary schools by 31 October. This is a national local authority admissions deadline and it is firm — late applications receive lower priority in the allocation process. Every child should list several preferences to ensure a school place is secured.
March (Year 7 Entry): National Offer Day
Secondary school offers are made on National Offer Day, typically 1 March. Families receive confirmation of their child's allocated school. Grammar school places are offered to qualifying children in distance order for most schools. If a qualifying child is not offered a grammar place due to distance, they can join the waiting list and consider the appeal process.
Key Takeaways
- April-June Year 5: Registration window — confirm your child is registered, do not assume
- September Year 6: Test day (Saturday, mid-September) at the assigned test centre
- October Year 6: Results published — have plans for both outcomes ready in advance
- 31 October Year 6: Secondary school application deadline — every family must submit by this date
- 1 March (Year 7 entry): National Offer Day — school places allocated
- Always verify exact dates from the official Buckinghamshire Council website
Frequently Asked Questions
What if we miss the registration deadline?
Late registration is not accepted in most circumstances. The deadline is firm and enforced. If you miss it, your child cannot sit the test that year. The Year 9 grammar school entry route exists for children who miss the Year 6 test or who do not qualify and subsequently develop academically.
If my child qualifies, do we still need to apply by 31 October?
Yes. The secondary school application is mandatory for all children regardless of 11 plus result. A qualifying result without a secondary school application will not result in a school place. Apply by the deadline.
Do grammar school open days happen before or after the test?
Most Buckinghamshire grammar schools hold open evenings in September and October — some before the test date, most in the weeks after. Attending open evenings while the application window is open (before 31 October) allows informed preference choices.