Caistor Grammar School 11 Plus: Exam & Preparation Guide
Caistor Grammar School is a mixed selective grammar school in Lincolnshire. Unlike most Lincolnshire grammar schools, Caistor administers its own 11 Plus tests rather than using the standard Lincolnshire GL Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning format. Applicants sit two Verbal Reasoning papers: one standard written test and one multiple-choice test. This guide explains the Caistor Grammar School 11 Plus format, what its demands mean for preparation, and which Learning Street courses are most relevant.
Caistor Grammar School 11 Plus at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | Caistor Grammar School |
| Location | Caistor, Lincolnshire |
| School type | Mixed selective grammar school |
| Test | Caistor Grammar School’s own 11 Plus selection tests |
| Exam structure | Two Verbal Reasoning tests |
| Paper 1 | Standard written Verbal Reasoning |
| Paper 2 | Multiple-choice Verbal Reasoning |
| Test length | Each test lasts approximately one hour, including practice time |
| Qualifying score | Combined score of 220 or above |
Information and Preparation Review: The information on this page is reviewed against the latest reliable information published by Caistor Grammar School. Caistor uses its own Verbal Reasoning tests rather than the standard Lincolnshire GL test used by most grammar schools in the county.
View Caistor Grammar School’s latest 11 Plus admissions information
Quick Contents
Use the links below to jump straight to the section you need.
Exam Format | Mock Exams | Pass Marks | Preparation | Courses
Caistor Grammar School 11 Plus Exam Format
The Caistor Grammar School 11 Plus consists of two school-administered Verbal Reasoning tests: one standard written paper and one multiple-choice paper.
The first test requires children to complete standard written Verbal Reasoning questions. This means they need to work out and produce answers themselves rather than always selecting from a list of possible responses.
The second test uses a multiple-choice Verbal Reasoning format. Children therefore need to be comfortable moving between two different ways of answering reasoning questions.
Caistor Grammar School’s published guidance states that each test lasts approximately one hour. This includes a practice period before the main test begins.
The school’s example material shows that questions can cover a broad range of reasoning skills, including word relationships, letter patterns, codes, sequences and logical problem solving.
Caistor does not use the standard Lincolnshire combination of separate Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning papers. Preparation should therefore concentrate on the verbal and logical reasoning skills actually assessed by Caistor rather than following a generic Lincolnshire programme without adjustment.
What Does the Caistor Grammar School Exam Format Mean for Preparation?
The Caistor format means children need strong vocabulary, flexible Verbal Reasoning technique and confidence answering questions in both written and multiple-choice formats.
The standard written paper is particularly important because children cannot always rely on recognising the correct option from several choices. They need to work out the answer independently and record it accurately.
The multiple-choice paper places a slightly different demand on exam technique. Children need to distinguish between plausible options efficiently while avoiding careless errors.
Because Caistor states that questions can cover a wide range of reasoning topics, preparation should avoid becoming too dependent on memorising one narrow set of question types. Children should instead develop a systematic approach to unfamiliar word, letter, number and logic problems.
Vocabulary also matters considerably. Many forms of Verbal Reasoning become much more difficult when children do not understand the words being used, even if they understand the underlying technique.
Caistor Grammar School 11 Plus Mock Exams and Practice Papers
Caistor Grammar School uses a different test from the standard Lincolnshire GL 11 Plus used by most grammar schools in the county.
Learning Street’s current standard Lincolnshire Mock Packs are built around separate Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning papers. They should therefore not currently be presented as direct Caistor Grammar School mock exams.
For this reason, no Learning Street Packs 1–4 are linked here as Caistor-specific mocks at present.
Caistor Grammar School does publish example questions showing the types of reasoning problems children may encounter. These are particularly useful because they come directly from the school and illustrate both the written and multiple-choice styles.
View Caistor Grammar School’s 11 Plus Example Questions
Caistor Grammar School 11 Plus Pass Mark and Scores
Children need a combined score of 220 or above across the two Verbal Reasoning tests to be eligible for entry to Caistor Grammar School.
The school states that this level is intended to identify approximately the upper 25% of the ability range.
The score of 220 should not be interpreted as a raw practice-paper percentage. Commercial practice materials differ in difficulty and do not necessarily use the same scoring process as the school’s entrance tests.
A child achieving the required test score becomes academically eligible for admission. It should not be assumed that achieving 220 automatically guarantees a place, because the school’s published admissions and oversubscription arrangements still apply where necessary.
For preparation, it is therefore more useful to monitor whether a child is becoming consistently accurate across different forms of Verbal Reasoning rather than trying to convert practice-paper percentages directly into the official score.
View Caistor Grammar School’s latest admissions and test information
How to Prepare for the Caistor Grammar School 11 Plus
Effective preparation for Caistor Grammar School should concentrate on Verbal Reasoning, vocabulary and flexible logical problem solving rather than preparing equally across Maths, English and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
The aim should be to develop the underlying language and reasoning skills first before gradually introducing timed work and practice in both written and multiple-choice formats.
Verbal Reasoning and Vocabulary Preparation
Verbal Reasoning involves recognising and applying relationships involving words, letters, codes, sequences and logical rules.
A broad vocabulary is particularly important. Children may understand the method required by a question but still struggle if a word or verbal relationship is unfamiliar.
Preparation should therefore combine deliberate vocabulary development with practice across a wide variety of Verbal Reasoning question styles.
Children should also practise solving questions without always being given answer choices. This is especially relevant to Caistor because one of the school’s two tests uses a standard written format.
As preparation progresses, children should become comfortable switching between written and multiple-choice questions while continuing to work accurately under time pressure.
The school itself states that any preparation involving 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning tests can be useful, while also providing its own example questions to illustrate the style of reasoning assessed.
View Caistor Grammar School’s Example Verbal Reasoning Questions
Which Caistor Grammar School 11 Plus Course Should You Choose?
Because Caistor Grammar School tests Verbal Reasoning rather than the full standard GL range of subjects, Learning Street’s Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning courses are the most relevant current structured preparation routes.
These are GL-based Learning Street courses rather than Caistor-specific replicas of the school test. However, their Verbal Reasoning technique and vocabulary work directly support the skills Caistor assesses.
The English content included within these courses should be viewed as supporting literacy and vocabulary development rather than as preparation for a separate Caistor English entrance paper.
| Preparation time | Learning Street course | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 30–40+ weeks | Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning – Complete | Our most comprehensive verbal-focused preparation |
| 15–30 weeks | Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning – Enhance | A shorter structured verbal preparation route |
| 6–15 weeks | Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning – Boost | Focused preparation when less time remains |
Complete Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning — 30–40+ Weeks
Learning Street’s GL Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning programme is the most comprehensive current option for families wanting to concentrate primarily on the verbal side of 11 Plus preparation.
The 40-part programme develops vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning technique alongside wider literacy skills and progressively timed work.
GL Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Enhance Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning — 15–30 Weeks
Learning Street’s Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning Enhance GL course provides a shorter structured route for families with less preparation time.
It includes Verbal Reasoning technique, vocabulary development, revision and timed tests while condensing the preparation into a shorter programme.
Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning Enhance GL
Boost Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning — 6–15 Weeks
Learning Street’s Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning Boost GL course is the shortest structured route and is intended for families beginning focused preparation later.
It combines vocabulary development, Verbal Reasoning technique and timed practice within a shorter programme.
Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning Boost GL
Starting Earlier?
If your child is still building the underlying literacy and vocabulary skills needed before dedicated 11 Plus preparation begins, Learning Street’s primary-school course chooser can help you select an appropriate starting point.
Primary School – Course Chooser for Younger Children
Also Applying to Other Lincolnshire Grammar Schools?
Most other Lincolnshire grammar schools use a different test from Caistor, normally assessing both Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Families applying to Caistor as well as another Lincolnshire grammar school may therefore need broader preparation than the verbal-focused route above.
The Complete 11 Plus Programme – Lincolnshire
Also Sitting Independent School Exams?
Children also sitting independent-school entrance tests may need additional preparation in subjects that are not separately tested in the Caistor Grammar School 11 Plus.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Maths Stretch and Revision
Current Caistor Grammar School Admissions Information
Caistor Grammar School administers its own selection tests and follows the Lincolnshire County co-ordinated admissions process.
Test dates, registration arrangements, catchment requirements and oversubscription criteria can change. Families should therefore check the school’s own admissions information for the latest details before applying.
View Caistor Grammar School’s latest Year 7 admissions information
View Caistor Grammar School’s 11 Plus FAQs
For general questions about the 11 Plus, preparation and Learning Street courses:
