11+ Standardised Scores Explained

When 11+ results arrive as a “standardised score”, many parents find the number confusing. Here’s what it actually means and why it’s used.

Why not just use raw marks?

A raw mark (how many questions a child got right) isn’t easy to compare fairly. Papers differ in difficulty, and — crucially — children in the same year group can be almost a full year apart in age. Standardisation fixes both.

What standardisation does

A standardised score converts the raw mark onto a common scale, usually centred on 100 as the average. It also applies age weighting: younger children get a small adjustment so they aren’t disadvantaged for being months younger than classmates.

What the numbers mean

• Around 100: average for the age group.
• Above 100: above average — grammar schools typically require scores well above this.
• Qualifying scores vary by area; some (like Buckinghamshire) use a set number such as 121.

Why two children with the same raw mark can differ

Because of age weighting, a younger child and an older child with identical raw marks can receive slightly different standardised scores. That’s the system working as intended — it’s levelling the playing field for age.

What to focus on

You can’t control the standardisation, only the preparation. Aim for strong, consistent accuracy across every section, and the standardised score will follow.

See our guide to 11+ results and appeals, or try a free 11+ practice test.