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, coordinated by Lincolnshire County Council
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 standardised score of 212 or higher (aggregate) has, in recent years, been the broad indicative threshold
Registration window
Register via Lincolnshire County Council during the summer term of Year 5

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 county-wide qualifying threshold can apply to any Lincolnshire grammar school; individual schools then rank applicants for admission.

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?

In recent years, a combined standardised score of 212 or higher (across both reasoning papers) has typically been set as the qualification threshold. The exact figure is confirmed each year by Lincolnshire County Council after the test has been marked.

How do I register for the Lincolnshire 11+?

Registration is through the Lincolnshire County Council admissions portal during the summer term of Year 5. The deadline is usually in July — miss it and your child may not be tested in time to apply for grammar-school places.

Can I apply to any Lincolnshire grammar school after qualifying?

Yes. The Lincolnshire 11+ is a county-wide test — qualifying children can apply to any participating grammar school. Individual schools then rank applicants using 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.

Related 11+ guides

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