Most 11+ results are given as standardised scores rather than raw marks or percentages. The numbers can look confusing at first, but the idea behind them is straightforward.
Raw score and standardised score
The raw score is the number of questions your child answered correctly. The standardised score converts that raw score onto a common scale, so results can be compared fairly across different papers and different groups of children.
The average is 100
On most 11+ scales, a standardised score of 100 is the average. Scores usually run from around 70 to around 140, although the exact range depends on the test provider. As a rough guide, on a typical scale:
- a score of 100 is average
- a score of 115 is higher than about 84% of children
- a score of 130 is higher than about 98% of children
Age adjustment
Children born in September are almost a year older than those born in August, which makes a real difference at this age. Most areas adjust scores for age, so a younger child with the same raw score may receive a slightly higher standardised score. Your results letter should say whether this applies.
Subject scores and totals
Some areas give a separate score for each paper or subject and then add them together. Others report one combined score. Read your results letter carefully to see which you have and how it is used.
Qualifying scores and ranking
This is where areas differ most. Some set a qualifying score that a child must reach to be considered for a grammar school place. Others rank children by score and offer places from the top down. In many areas, reaching the qualifying score makes a child eligible but does not guarantee a place, because popular schools can still be oversubscribed. Each school's admissions policy explains how it uses scores alongside other criteria such as distance or siblings.
Keeping it in perspective
A standardised score is a snapshot of one test on one day. It is not a percentage, and it is not a measure of your child's worth or future. Once you have the result, check how your preferred schools use it and make sure your secondary school application lists a sensible mix of schools before the 31 October deadline.
