Scoring for the 11+ exam varies by region, but most areas use a technique called “standardised scoring.” This method ensures fair comparisons between different groups of students.

Some schools or regions may weigh certain subjects more heavily than others. For example, a student’s final mark in Kent is more heavily influenced by their English and Maths scores, although Verbal Reasoning still contributes to the overall result.

Understanding Standardised Scores

A standardised score is based on a normal distribution with an average score (mean) of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.

• An average score for a year group is 100.
• The top 2.5% of students typically score above 130.
• The bottom 2.5% of students typically score below 70.

Because standardised scores are calculated after the exam, the raw score needed to pass can change each year, depending on the overall performance of the students who took the test. Therefore, the exact passing raw score is not known before the exam is taken.