11+ in Trafford
Trafford in Greater Manchester is one of the few remaining selective areas in the North West, with a strong cluster of grammars including the Altrincham schools admitting via a shared consortium (CEM-style) test.
Exam board
Trafford consortium entrance test (CEM-style)
Competition
Trafford grammars are popular and competitive, drawing families from across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Deadlines
Registration for the consortium test typically closes in the summer before the autumn-of-Year-6 test; check the Trafford consortium dates.
Parent guide
- CEM-style preparation — vocabulary-rich English and mixed-format reasoning — suits the Trafford test.
- A single consortium test can cover several Trafford grammars; rank preferences carefully.
- Catchment priority applies at some schools after the qualifying mark.
Grammar schools in Trafford
Top tips for Trafford
- Build vocabulary breadth — CEM-style tests lean on it heavily.
- Rehearse mixed timed sections rather than only single-topic papers.
FAQs
What test do Trafford grammar schools use?+
A shared consortium entrance test (historically CEM-style) covering Maths, English and reasoning, sat once for the group of Trafford grammars.
See exactly where your child stands — free.
Take the 15-minute diagnostic for an instant age-standardised score and a clear plan. No card, no sign-up.