Burnham Grammar School 11 Plus: Exam & Preparation Guide
Burnham Grammar School is a mixed selective grammar school in Buckinghamshire. Children applying for Year 7 entry sit the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, which assesses verbal, mathematical and non-verbal skills across two GL Assessment papers. This guide explains the Burnham Grammar School 11 Plus format, what its demands mean for preparation, and how Learning Street’s GL courses and Buckinghamshire mock exams can help your child prepare effectively.
Burnham Grammar School 11 Plus at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | Burnham Grammar School |
| Location | Burnham, Buckinghamshire |
| School type | Mixed selective grammar academy |
| Test / consortium | Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test – The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools |
| Exam provider | GL Assessment |
| Exam structure | Two multiple-choice papers, each approximately 60 minutes |
| Skills assessed | Verbal, mathematical and non-verbal skills |
| Scoring | Age-standardised and weighted across verbal, mathematical and non-verbal skills |
| Qualifying score | Standardised Secondary Transfer Test Score of 121 or above |
Information and Mock Exam Review: The information on this page and Learning Street’s Buckinghamshire 11 Plus mock exams are reviewed against the latest reliable information available about the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test used for Burnham Grammar School.
Burnham Grammar School forms part of the Buckinghamshire grammar-school selection system. The Secondary Transfer Test is produced by GL Assessment and assesses verbal, mathematical and non-verbal skills. Learning Street’s Buckinghamshire preparation materials and mock exams are designed specifically around this test.
View Burnham Grammar School’s latest information
View Buckinghamshire’s current Secondary Transfer Test guidance
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Exam Format | Mock Exams | Pass Marks | Preparation | Courses
Burnham Grammar School 11 Plus Exam Format
The Burnham Grammar School 11 Plus uses the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, which consists of two GL Assessment multiple-choice papers of approximately 60 minutes each, assessing verbal, mathematical and non-verbal skills.
Children sit the two papers with a break between them. The official scoring system combines performance across the different skills rather than treating each paper as a completely separate pass-or-fail test.
Learning Street’s current Buckinghamshire mock exams reflect the test through a literacy-focused first paper containing English and Verbal Reasoning and a second paper containing Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning. This is the structure used within Learning Street’s current Bucks preparation materials.
The final Secondary Transfer Test Score gives the greatest weighting to verbal skills. Verbal performance contributes 50% of the overall score, while mathematical and non-verbal skills each contribute 25%.
What Does the Burnham Grammar School Exam Format Mean for Preparation?
The Buckinghamshire format means children need strong literacy and vocabulary alongside secure Maths, reasoning technique, concentration and accurate multiple-choice exam technique.
The 50% weighting given to verbal skills makes vocabulary, reading efficiency and verbal reasoning particularly important. A child can understand the mechanics of a reasoning question but still struggle if the words or relationships within it are unfamiliar.
Mathematical skills remain a significant part of the test. Children need secure KS2 knowledge and enough arithmetic fluency to deal efficiently with calculations before applying that knowledge to unfamiliar problems.
Non-Verbal Reasoning requires children to identify visual relationships involving features such as shape, position, number, shading, rotation and reflection.
Children also need sufficient stamina to maintain accuracy through two substantial papers. Once the underlying skills are secure, preparation should therefore progress towards timed sections, accurate use of answer sheets and full realistic mocks.
Burnham Grammar School 11 Plus Mock Exams and Practice Papers
Burnham Grammar School is covered by Learning Street’s Buckinghamshire 11 Plus Mock Exam Packs 1–4. These mocks are specifically designed around the Bucks Secondary Transfer Test rather than being generic GL papers.
Learning Street’s current Buckinghamshire mocks contain two papers. The first focuses on English and Verbal Reasoning, while the second covers Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Learning Street carries out ongoing research when developing these mocks, with the aim of reproducing the content, difficulty, instructions and timings of the Buckinghamshire test as closely as practical.
Each pack includes realistic answer sheets, detailed parent and invigilation instructions, guidance on how time should be called and detailed answers for reviewing performance afterwards.
The four Buckinghamshire mock exams contain entirely different questions, allowing children to complete several realistic mock experiences without repeating the same material.
Pack 1 | Pack 2 | Pack 3 | Pack 4
Save 20% – Buy all four for £48
Buckinghamshire 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Burnham Grammar School 11 Plus Pass Marks and Standardised Scores
Children need a Secondary Transfer Test Score of 121 or above to qualify for consideration for a Buckinghamshire grammar school place.
The raw marks from the test are standardised to take account of age and differences in performance between test cohorts.
The overall Secondary Transfer Test Score is weighted so that verbal skills account for 50%, while mathematical skills account for 25% and non-verbal skills account for 25%.
There is therefore no raw practice-paper percentage that can be converted directly into the official qualifying score of 121. Commercial practice papers vary in difficulty and do not use the same standardisation process.
Importantly, a score above 121 does not give a child greater priority for a place than another qualified child. Once a child has qualified, Burnham Grammar School’s published admissions and oversubscription rules are used to determine allocation.
Qualifying should therefore not be treated as a guarantee of admission.
For preparation, mock-paper scores are most useful for tracking progress over time and identifying weaknesses in vocabulary, English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, accuracy, timing and exam technique.
View Buckinghamshire’s latest Secondary Transfer Test scoring information
How to Prepare for the Burnham Grammar School 11 Plus
Effective preparation for Burnham Grammar School should develop secure vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning skills before progressively introducing revision, timed work and realistic Buckinghamshire mock exams.
Learning Street’s standard GL programmes cover these areas and match the preparation requirements reflected in its current Bucks mock papers.
English Preparation
Within Learning Street’s Buckinghamshire preparation route, English work develops the literacy skills that support the verbal element of the Secondary Transfer Test.
Children should develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and accurate understanding of language. They need to read unfamiliar material efficiently and distinguish between answer choices that may initially appear very similar.
Regular reading should be combined with deliberate vocabulary development rather than relying only on repeated practice tests.
Maths Preparation
Maths preparation should develop secure KS2 knowledge alongside strong arithmetic fluency and problem-solving skills.
Times tables, mental Maths and the four operations should become reliable enough that routine calculations do not consume unnecessary time.
Children should increasingly be required to identify which mathematical method is needed rather than simply following a familiar worked example. Timed practice can then be introduced once accuracy is secure.
Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Verbal Reasoning deserves particular attention for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test because verbal skills contribute 50% of the final standardised score.
Children need to recognise and apply relationships involving words, letters, codes and logical rules. A broad vocabulary is essential because unfamiliar words can prevent a child from answering a question even when they understand the reasoning method.
Preparation should therefore combine systematic Verbal Reasoning practice with continuing vocabulary development and revision.
Non-Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Non-Verbal Reasoning requires careful and systematic observation.
Children should learn to examine features such as shape, size, position, number, shading, rotation and reflection rather than choosing an answer because it simply looks plausible.
Once the different techniques are understood, timed practice can help children move efficiently between visual question types while maintaining accuracy.
When your child is ready to apply these skills under realistic timed conditions, Learning Street’s Buckinghamshire mock exams provide structured practice based on the Bucks format.
View the Buckinghamshire 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Which Burnham Grammar School 11 Plus Course Should You Choose?
Learning Street offers three main GL preparation routes for children preparing for Burnham Grammar School: Complete, Enhance and Boost. These courses combine structured learning, practice, revision and timed testing across the skills required for the Buckinghamshire preparation route.
The most suitable route mainly depends on how much preparation time remains.
| Preparation time | Learning Street course | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 30–40+ weeks | Complete GL | Our most comprehensive preparation |
| 15–30 weeks | Enhance GL | A shorter structured programme |
| 6–15 weeks | Boost GL | Focused preparation when less time remains |
Complete GL — 30–40+ Weeks
Learning Street’s Complete GL 11 Plus Programme is the most comprehensive preparation route. The 40-part programme covers Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning alongside extensive timed practice.
The Complete GL 11 Plus Programme
Families wanting to concentrate on particular areas can also use the subject-specific parts of the Complete programme:
GL Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
GL Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
The Complete Vocabulary Course
Enhance GL — 15–30 Weeks
Learning Street’s Enhance GL programme provides a shorter structured preparation route while still covering the main GL preparation areas required for Burnham Grammar School.
Focused Enhance options are also available:
11 Plus Enhance – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
11 Plus Enhance – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Boost GL — 6–15 Weeks
Learning Street’s Boost GL programme is the shortest full GL preparation route and is intended for families beginning focused preparation later.
Focused Boost options are also available:
11 Plus Boost – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
11 Plus Boost – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Starting Earlier?
If your child is still building the literacy and numeracy foundations needed before dedicated 11 Plus preparation begins, Learning Street’s course chooser can help you select the most appropriate starting point.
Primary School – Course Chooser for Younger Children
Already Completed Substantial Preparation?
Learning Street’s 11 Plus Revision Course – GL is designed for children who have already covered the main 11 Plus material through books, tutoring or another programme and want a structured period of final revision.
It should not normally be added after completing one of Learning Street’s full Complete, Enhance or Boost programmes because some material overlaps.
Also Sitting Independent School Exams?
Children also sitting independent-school entrance tests may need additional preparation beyond the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Maths Stretch and Revision
Current Burnham Grammar School Admissions Information
Burnham Grammar School uses the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test for Year 7 selection. Children who achieve a Secondary Transfer Test Score of 121 or above are academically qualified to be considered for a Buckinghamshire grammar school.
Qualification does not itself guarantee a place. Burnham Grammar School applies its published admissions and oversubscription criteria when deciding between qualified applicants.
Admissions rules, catchment arrangements, registration dates and other application requirements can change. Families should therefore check both Burnham Grammar School and Buckinghamshire Council for the latest information before applying.
View Burnham Grammar School’s latest information
View Buckinghamshire’s current grammar-school admissions and testing guidance
For general questions about the 11 Plus, preparation and Learning Street courses:
