GrammarPrep

Lincolnshire 11+: your guide to the county's 14 grammar schools

Lincolnshire runs a reasoning-only 11+ used by all its grammar schools. Here's what that means for your preparation and how to plan a calm run-up to the test.

Lincolnshire 11+ Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Test: key facts

Typical test date
September of Year 6 — papers set by GL Assessment for the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools
Papers
2 papers
Duration
Each paper is typically 45-50 minutes
Subjects
Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning (Lincolnshire does not test stand-alone English or Maths)
Indicative qualifying threshold
A combined standardised score of 220 across both papers — the standard for the most able 25% — makes a child eligible but does not guarantee a place
Registration window
Registration opens in January of Year 5; Lincolnshire primary schools send the forms home, and late testing exists for children who miss the deadline

Why Lincolnshire is different

Lincolnshire is one of only a handful of English authorities with a large, distributed selective system. Around 14 grammar schools participate in the Lincolnshire 11+, spread across the county from Caistor in the north to Spalding in the south. Children who qualify can apply to any participating school, and places are allocated by rank within each school's oversubscription criteria.

The distinctive feature of the Lincolnshire test is that it is reasoning-only: verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning papers, but no stand-alone English or Mathematics tests. That makes Lincolnshire preparation less broad than Kent or Warwickshire but more intensive on the reasoning side — the standard GL VR and NVR question types are what determine the result.

Because Lincolnshire doesn't test English or Maths directly, families sometimes under-prepare on vocabulary and numerical fluency. This is a mistake: strong vocabulary drives the verbal reasoning paper, and rapid arithmetic supports the timing required on the non-verbal reasoning paper (which includes number-sequence and matrix questions).

How the Lincolnshire 11+ Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Test is structured

  • Two papers, each typically 45-50 minutes, covering Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning only.
  • Multiple-choice format with separate answer sheets.
  • Age-standardised scoring, published as an aggregate standardised score across both papers.
  • Children sit the test at their own primary school under exam conditions.
  • Children who reach the qualifying standard can apply to any consortium grammar school — 13 of the county's 14 grammars. Caistor Grammar School is the exception: it runs its own verbal reasoning tests on its own timetable. Individual schools then apply their oversubscription criteria.

Notable grammar schools in Lincolnshire

14+ grammar schools across the county.

  • Caistor Grammar School
  • Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School (Horncastle)
  • Spalding Grammar School
  • Spalding High School
  • Boston Grammar School
  • Boston High School
  • The King's School (Grantham)
  • Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School

How to prepare your child for the Lincolnshire 11+

Because Lincolnshire tests reasoning only, preparation should focus heavily on the full GL set of verbal and non-verbal reasoning question types. Daily practice from the start of Year 5 that cycles through the different formats will build the speed the test rewards.

Vocabulary is the biggest lever on the verbal reasoning paper. Aim for 10 new words a week via wide reading rather than rote lists, and review weekly using spaced repetition so the words actually stick.

Numerical fluency still matters on the non-verbal reasoning paper because number-sequence and matrix questions rely on rapid mental arithmetic. 5 minutes of mental Maths daily in Years 4-5 is a high-leverage investment even though no stand-alone Maths paper is sat.

Frequently asked questions about the Lincolnshire 11+

Does Lincolnshire test English and Maths in the 11+?

No — the Lincolnshire 11+ tests verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning only. English and Mathematics skills still matter, but they are assessed indirectly through the reasoning questions (vocabulary in VR, numerical fluency in NVR).

What is the Lincolnshire 11+ pass mark?

The qualifying standard is a combined standardised score of 220 across the two reasoning papers, set to identify the most able 25% of pupils in the selective areas of Lincolnshire. Reaching it makes a child eligible for a grammar school place but does not by itself guarantee one — each school then applies its own oversubscription criteria.

How do I register for the Lincolnshire 11+?

Registration opens in January of Year 5. Children at Lincolnshire primary schools are usually registered through their school, which sends the forms home; candidates sit the papers at their primary school or at the grammar school where they registered. Late testing dates exist for children who miss the deadline, so ask the school you are applying to how a late test affects your application.

Can I apply to any Lincolnshire grammar school after qualifying?

Yes, for 13 of the county's 14 grammar schools — the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools shares one test, so qualifying children can apply to any consortium school. Caistor Grammar School runs its own verbal reasoning tests on its own timetable, so it needs a separate registration. Individual schools then apply their own oversubscription criteria (usually including catchment and sibling priority).

Which Lincolnshire grammars are most oversubscribed?

Demand varies year to year, but Caistor Grammar, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar (Horncastle), and The King's School (Grantham) are consistently named among the most sought-after. Check each school's admissions page for recent rank information.

How far in advance should we start Lincolnshire 11+ preparation?

Because the test focuses on reasoning (which is not taught in school), start structured preparation at the beginning of Year 4. That gives roughly 18 months of steady practice before the September Year 6 test.

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