Beaconsfield High School

Beaconsfield High School is a selective girls' grammar in Buckinghamshire that uses the Bucks 11+ exam, which is set by GL Assessment and taken on a shared sitting across the consortium. This means the exam follows standard GL format and question types, but because Beaconsfield is highly selective, the pass mark tends to be demanding and you'll be competing against a strong cohort of high-achieving candidates.

Vocabulary is the standout challenge. Parents and tutors consistently report that the verbal reasoning section includes less common, more advanced words than you'll find in standard GL practice papers. It's worth going beyond typical vocabulary lists and encouraging your child to read widely and learn words in context. The other sections — maths, English comprehension and reasoning — follow standard GL patterns, so familiar practice materials will help here.

Time pressure is moderate but noticeable. Your child should be able to complete most of the paper if well-prepared, but rushing towards the end, particularly in the verbal reasoning section, is commonly reported. Practising under timed conditions is essential. The English comprehension passages are age-appropriate but require careful reading and inference skills rather than just finding answers directly in the text — this is where time management really matters.

Maths is straightforward. The maths paper follows standard GL format with multi-step word problems that need careful reading. There are no unusual question types, so regular GL-style maths practice should prepare your child well. Focus on building confidence with word problems and ensuring she reads each question thoroughly before starting.

#### Key dates — checked October 2026 - Bucks Secondary Transfer Test 2026 (for September 2027 entry): practice test 8 September, main test 10 September 2026; results emailed 9 October 2026. - Qualifying standard: a Secondary Transfer Test Score (STTS) of 121 or above qualifies for a Buckinghamshire grammar school (unchanged for 2028 entry). Below 121, entry is only via selection review or appeal. - Next cycle (September 2028 entry): registration May–June 2027 (Bucks state-primary pupils entered automatically); test early September 2027; results mid-October 2027. - CAF deadline: 31 October; National Offer Day: 1 March.