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John Hampden Grammar School 11+ entrance test
John Hampden Grammar School is a boys’ state grammar school in High Wycombe for ages 11 to 18. Children applying for a Year 7 place sit the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. This page explains that test and how to prepare. Admission rules change, so always check the school’s own admissions policy.
School at a glance
- School
- Boys’ state grammar school
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Area
- High Wycombe (Buckinghamshire)
- Website
- www.jhgs.bucks.sch.uk
Source: Get Information about Schools (Department for Education), read 1 November 2026. NITU is not connected with the school.
The test
What we know about the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. Each detail is labelled with where it comes from.
- Reported
- Two multiple-choice papers on the same day with a short break, with instructions given by an audio soundtrack. Paper 1 covers English comprehension, technical English and verbal reasoning (50% of the score); Paper 2 covers maths to the end of Year 5 (25%) and non-verbal reasoning (25%).
- Reported
- Answers go on a separate, machine-marked answer sheet, and no marks are lost for wrong answers. The test is run by Buckinghamshire Council.
- Reported
- For September 2028 entry: registration in May to June 2027, the test in early September 2027, and the secondary application deadline of 31 October 2027.
- Reported
- A qualifying score of 121 has been reported; reaching it does not guarantee a place.
- Not published
- The number of questions in each section (English 25, verbal reasoning 30, maths 25, non-verbal 20), about 45 minutes per paper (sources differ between about 45 and 60 minutes), and five answer options per question. These are not published.
Check with Buckinghamshire Council’s website and each school’s admissions page before relying on any detail.
Other schools that use this test
- Aylesbury Grammar School, Aylesbury
- Aylesbury High School, Aylesbury
- Beaconsfield High School, Beaconsfield
- Burnham Grammar School, Slough
- Chesham Grammar School, Chesham
- Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Amersham
- Dr Challoner’s High School, Amersham
- Royal Latin School, Buckingham
- Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, Aylesbury
- Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, Marlow
- The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
- Wycombe High School, High Wycombe
How to prepare
- Practise filling in a separate answer sheet, so marking the right box becomes automatic and no time is lost on test day.
- Learn the verbal reasoning question types one at a time, then mix them. Vocabulary grows fastest through wide reading.
- For non-verbal reasoning, check one feature at a time (shape, number, shading, size, position, direction) and rule options out.
- Sit full mock tests under timed conditions only every week or two, and spend the time in between on the question types that cost marks.
Read our full guide to this test.
Practice papers for this test
Original mock papers based on the published format, with answers explained. Every option has a free sample.
Four full mock tests based on the published two-paper format, with answer sheets, explanations and a parent guide.
Four more full mock tests in the same format as Set 1, with new questions throughout, answer sheets, answers and the parent guide.
A revision handbook for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test: 86 lessons teaching the methods for maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, with worked examples, practice questions, must-know lists and a 12-week plan.
Everything for this test in one download: Set 1 and Set 2 (eight full mock tests) and the revision handbook. £39.97 if bought separately.
Questions parents ask
Which 11+ test does John Hampden Grammar School use?
Children applying for a Year 7 place sit the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. Arrangements can change from year to year, so check the school’s admissions policy.
Is John Hampden Grammar School a boys’, girls’ or mixed school?
The Department for Education’s register lists it as a boys’ school for ages 11 to 18. It has a sixth form. Some schools admit other pupils into the sixth form, so check the school’s website.
Does a good test score guarantee a place?
No. A test score on its own does not guarantee a place. Places are offered under the school’s admission rules, which can include a qualifying score, distance or other criteria. Read the school’s admissions policy for the year you are applying.
Are your papers produced by the school?
No. NITU is independent. Our papers are original practice material based on the published format of the test; they are not produced or endorsed by John Hampden Grammar School or any test provider.
Sources: check these yourself
The facts on this page come from these official pages. Use them to check anything before you rely on it.
- Department for Education register: John Hampden Grammar School
- John Hampden Grammar School: school website
- Buckinghamshire Council: the Secondary Transfer Test process
Links checked in November 2026. Schools and councils update their pages each year, and the school’s current admissions policy always comes first.