Gloucestershire 11+ 2027: Registration Dates, Test Day and What Parents Need to Do Now

If your child is aiming for a Gloucestershire grammar school place in September 2027, this is the stage when most families start searching for the same answers: When does Gloucestershire 11+ registration open? When is the test? How does the process work? And how should we prepare without leaving it too late?

When does Gloucestershire 11+ registration close?

The first thing to know is that the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test registration window is now open until 26 June 2026 at noon, and the test is planned for Saturday 12 September 2026. Parents then receive results in mid-October 2026, before the 31 October 2026 deadline for submitting the Local Authority Common Application Form.

That timeline matters because many parents focus on the Gloucestershire 11+ test date and do not realise that the most important admin happens much earlier. If registration is missed, your child cannot sit the test in the normal admissions round.  Gloucestershire County Council publish their 11 plus test information, including clear dates.

Which grammar schools are part of the Gloucestershire 11+?

Gloucestershire has seven grammar schools, and they use a shared testing process. That means families only sit one entrance test for consideration across the group, rather than separate tests for each school. The seven schools are Pate's Grammar School, Denmark Road High School, Ribston Hall High School, Sir Thomas Rich's School, The Crypt School, Marling School, and Stroud High School.

One point that causes confusion every year is the difference between registering for the 11+ test and applying for a school place. These are not the same thing. Families need to complete the grammar school test registration and also submit the Local Authority Common Application Form by the deadline. A child who achieves a qualifying score can still miss out on a place if the local authority application form is not completed correctly and on time. Read more details on the Eleven Plus Exams site.

How should parents prepare for the Gloucestershire 11+?

So what should parents do now if they are preparing for the Gloucestershire 11+?

Start with the practical steps. Check the registration deadline, make sure you understand which schools you may want to share scores with, and put the key dates in your calendar now.

A calm, organised approach at this stage removes a lot of avoidable stress later.

Next, turn your attention to preparation. Families searching for how to prepare for the Gloucestershire 11+ are usually looking for the same balance: enough practice to build confidence, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming. The most useful preparation is regular, focused work across English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, combined with familiarisation with the style and pace of 11+ questions. Gloucestershire grammar schools also point families towards familiarisation materials to help children feel more comfortable with the test format.

It is also worth knowing that the Gloucestershire grammar schools have announced a new admissions test provider for 2028 entry onwards, but families applying for 2027 entry should stay focused on the current admissions cycle and the guidance published for this year's test. Full guidance on the new test format will be released in September 2026. 

For many children, success in the 11+ is not about endless hours of work. It is about building strong fundamentals, practising steadily over time, and going into the exam feeling familiar with the question styles they are likely to face. Parents who understand the process early usually find it much easier to make good decisions about preparation.

If you are currently searching for Gloucestershire 11+ dates, Gloucestershire grammar school admissions, or how to prepare for the Gloucestershire 11+, the key message is simple: register on time, understand the admissions process clearly, and start structured preparation early enough for your child to feel confident by September.