Trafford 11+ Exam Preparation

The Trafford 11+ is the entrance examination used by grammar schools in the Trafford Consortium to select pupils. It is sat by Year 6 children, typically aged 10 or 11, and the results determine eligibility for grammar school places in September of the following year.

The exam is produced by GL Assessment — the UK's leading provider of grammar school entrance tests. It consists of three separate papers:

• Verbal Reasoning — tests language skills including word relationships, letter sequences, hidden words and comprehension
• Mathematics — covers number, algebra, geometry, data handling and problem solving
• Non-Verbal Reasoning — tests logical thinking using shapes, patterns and diagrams

Results are used to apply for places at the six grammar schools in the Trafford Consortium through the normal secondary school application process.

The Trafford Consortium includes six highly regarded grammar schools:

• Sale Grammar School — Sale, Trafford
• Altrincham Grammar School for Boys (AGSB) — Altrincham, Trafford
• Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGSG) — Altrincham, Trafford
• Stretford Grammar School — Stretford, Trafford
• Urmston Grammar School — Urmston, Trafford
• Loreto Grammar School — Altrincham, Trafford

All six schools use the same GL Assessment exam papers and operate a shared registration process through the Trafford Consortium.

The Trafford 11+ exam is typically held in September of Year 6 — usually the first or second week of September, shortly after children return from the summer holidays.

Registration for the exam opens in the spring of Year 5 and closes in late spring or early summer. Parents must register their child with the Trafford Consortium directly.

Results are typically released in October, giving families time to include grammar school preferences in their secondary school application before the October deadline.

The most effective preparation for the Trafford 11+ combines consistent daily practice with genuine understanding of each question type. Research consistently shows that short daily sessions are more effective than occasional long practice sessions.

ElevenPilot is designed around this principle. Children complete up to 10 questions per subject per day — taking around 20-30 minutes — rather than sitting through lengthy timed papers. This builds familiarity with question formats gradually and sustainably over the months leading up to the exam.

Key preparation tips for the Trafford 11+:

• Start early — ideally at the beginning of Year 5, giving 12-18 months of gradual preparation
• Practise all three subjects — children often have a naturally stronger subject, but all three count equally
• Build speed gradually — GL Assessment papers are timed, so accuracy first, then speed
• Review wrong answers — understanding why an answer was wrong is more valuable than the question itself
• Keep it positive — pressure is counterproductive; consistent encouragement produces better results

ElevenPilot is built specifically around the GL Assessment question formats used in the Trafford 11+. Every question on the platform is designed to match the style, difficulty and format of real GL Assessment papers.

The platform provides:

• 1,000+ practice questions across all three subjects at three difficulty levels
• Daily practice limits — 10 questions per subject keeps sessions focused and sustainable
• Instant explanations — every answer includes a full explanation of the correct solution
• Progress tracking — parents receive weekly email reports showing accuracy by subject
• RAF-themed rank system — children earn ranks from Cadet to Air Chief Marshal through consistent practice, providing long-term motivation
• Timed questions — 60 seconds per question builds exam-ready speed and composure