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United Kingdom · Entrance test

11 plus English papers: what's tested

Reading comprehension is part of the English tests in Buckinghamshire, the West Midlands, Medway and Northern Ireland, usually with spelling, punctuation and grammar alongside. Buckinghamshire's 11 plus English papers are all multiple choice and the West Midlands test has no writing section, so there's no creative writing in either. Essex's CSSE English paper is the exception: the CSSE still publishes a mark scheme for continuous writing.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What do 11 plus English papers cover in each area?

AreaEnglish in the test
BuckinghamshireComprehension and technical English, in the verbal skills paper
Birmingham and WarwickshireEnglish comprehension, in a paper shared with verbal reasoning
Essex (CSSE)A 60-minute English paper with 10 minutes' extra reading time. 50% of the score
MedwayA 30-minute paper: comprehension, punctuation and grammar
RedbridgeEnglish with verbal reasoning, in one paper
Northern Ireland (SEAG)28 English (or Gaeilge) questions per paper: comprehension, spelling and punctuation, grammar and syntax, and vocabulary

Is there creative writing in the 11 plus?

Not in the multiple-choice tests. The King Edward VI Foundation says plainly that the West Midlands test has no writing section, and Buckinghamshire's questions are all multiple choice.

Essex is different. The CSSE exam page links a sample mark scheme for English continuous writing, though that document dates from 2020, and the 2027 entry guide describes the English paper only by its length. If you're applying to a CSSE school, use the CSSE's free English familiarisation paper to see the current format, and practise a short piece of timed writing as well as comprehension.

CSSE Essex test →

Spelling, grammar and comprehension

None of these test bodies publishes a spelling list or a reading list. Spelling and punctuation are tested inside the English questions, for example in SEAG's papers and Buckinghamshire's technical English.

Vocabulary and verbal reasoning →

Free 11 plus English papers

  • GL Assessment: a free English PDF and a verbal skills PDF.
  • CSSE: free English familiarisation papers for the Essex test.
  • SEAG: Practice Papers 1 to 4, in English and in Gaeilge.
Free papers by area →
Sources: Buckinghamshire Council · King Edward VI Foundation · Warwickshire County Council and 7 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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