Understanding 11+ Standardised Scores

Learn how 11+ scores are calculated and why standardisation ensures fairness across different ages, papers, and difficulty levels.

11+ results are not raw marks — they are standardised scores designed for fairness.

What Are Standardised Scores?

Instead of showing correct answers, results are converted into a scaled score (e.g., 120 or 130).

This system ensures fairness regardless of test difficulty and student age.

Fair comparison across all students
Adjusts for difficulty variations
Accounts for age differences

Why Standardisation Is Used

Different Test Papers

Subjects like English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning vary in difficulty, time, and number of questions.

Age Adjustment

Younger children may receive slight score adjustments to ensure fairness within the same school year.

Typical Score Range

Standardised scores usually follow a bell-curve distribution.

Average: ~100
Lower Range: 69–70
Upper Range: 140+

Slough Consortium

Langley Grammar School
Herschel Grammar School
St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School
Upton Court Grammar School

One exam applies to all four schools in the consortium.

A score of 111+ makes a child eligible — not guaranteed admission.

How Standardisation Works

Two students with the same raw score may receive different final scores due to age adjustment.

Older student: ~133
Younger student: ~136

Why Raw Scores Are Not Shared

Final results depend on multiple statistical factors.

Age adjustment
Cohort performance
Exam difficulty

What This Means for Preparation

Build reasoning skills

Improve vocabulary

Speed & accuracy

Mock exam practice