5 Essential Tips for 11+ Exam Revision
Are you thinking about your child’s educational future? If your child is approaching the end of primary school, it may be that they are approaching the 11+ exam: the selective entrance examination for secondary school in the UK. The 11 +can feel like a daunting prospect for you and your child but don’t worry! We have all the resources to make 11+ exam preparation as stress-free a process as possible. This 11+ guide includes all the key information you need to prepare your child for 11+ success: key dates, school choice, examination formats, 11+ exam questions and 11+preparation tips across the different components.
What is the 11+ Exam?
The 11+ exam (or 11 Plus exam) is a standardised test used by grammar schools and selective independent schools to assess the academic abilities and potential of students entering secondary education from Year 6. The exam typically covers subjects like Mathematics, English, Verbal reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Excelling in the 11+ exam is often a crucial factor in determining admission to selective schools. Given the competitiveness of the admissions process, comprehensive 11+ exam preparation has become essential for students aspiring to secure a place in these prestigious institutions. Effective 11+ exam preparation involves mastering key concepts, consistent practicing of 11+ exam questions and honing skills to prosper in both Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Key Dates for 11+ Exams in the UK
First and foremost, it's important to have a clear understanding of the key dates and timelines associated with the 11+ exams before getting started on focused 11+ exam preparation. While specific dates may vary between different regions and schools, there are some general patterns and guidelines to keep in mind. Here are the crucial dates you should be aware of:
Application Deadlines: Grammar schools and selective independent schools typically have application deadlines for 11+ exams. These deadlines usually fall in the early months of the academic year, around September or October. It's essential to research and note down the specific deadlines for the schools you're considering.
11+ Exam Dates: The actual 11+ exams are usually held between November and January, depending on the school. Most exams take place during the autumn and winter months of Year 6. It's crucial to find out the exam dates for each school your child is applying to, as they may have different testing days or multiple rounds of exams.
Results and Offers: After the exams, schools generally notify parents about the results and offers in the months following the tests. This notification usually takes place between late January and March. It's important to be prepared for this period of anticipation and to keep an eye on your emails or postal mail for updates.
Remember that these dates are general guidelines, and it's crucial to check the specific dates and requirements for each school you are interested in. Schools often provide detailed information on their websites or through admissions offices, so be proactive in gathering the necessary information.
Planning ahead and being aware of the key dates will allow you to create a structured study schedule for your child and ensure that you meet all the deadlines for applications, exams, and result notifications. In the next sections of our guide, we'll dive deeper into school choice and effective strategies for 11+ exam preparation, providing you with valuable insights to help your child succeed. Stay tuned!
Key Considerations When Choosing a School for 11+ Entrance in the UK
Choosing the right school for your child's secondary education is a significant decision that can have a lasting impact on their academic journey. When it comes to 11+ entrance in the UK, there are several key considerations to keep in mind. Here are some factors to help you make an informed decision:
School Types: Familiarise yourself with the different types of schools available for 11+ entrance. Grammar schools and selective independent schools are popular choices, but there may also be comprehensive schools or other specialised institutions in your area. Research each type and understand their unique qualities and educational philosophies.
School Reputation and Performance: Look into the reputation and performance of the schools you are considering. Check their academic results, Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) ratings, and any other relevant accolades or achievements. Consider the school's track record in providing high-quality education and their commitment to supporting students' overall development.
Curriculum and Specialisations: Explore the curriculum and subject specialisations offered by each school. Consider your child's interests, strengths, and future aspirations. If your child has a particular interest in subjects like science, arts, or languages, look for schools that offer strong programs in those areas. Evaluate the breadth and depth of the curriculum to ensure it aligns with your child's educational goals. E.g. If you feel your child could be suited to the breadth of the IB programme, you may consider a school that offers the IB curriculum (see our blog on choosing between A-Levels and IB here)
Location and Commute: Consider the practicalities of the school's location and the commute involved. Evaluate the distance from your home, transportation options, and the potential impact on your child's daily routine. Think about the importance of proximity to friends, extracurricular activities, and community resources when making your decision.
School Visits and Open Days: Whenever possible, attend school visits or open days to get a feel for the school's atmosphere and ethos. Take the opportunity to meet staff, talk to students, and observe the facilities. This firsthand experience can provide valuable insights into whether the school would be a good fit for your child.
Ultimately, choosing the right school for your child involves finding a balance between their academic needs, personal development, and overall happiness. It's crucial to involve your child in the decision-making process and take their preferences into account. Take the time to research, visit schools, and consult with teachers or educational experts to make an informed choice. By considering these key factors, you'll be well-equipped to select a school that provides the best possible foundation for your child's future success and fulfilment.
11+ Exam Preparation: The Key Components
English Exams for 11+
Preparing for the 11 Plus English exam can be a daunting task for both parents and children. However, with the right approach, it need not be an uphill struggle. The 11+ English exam tests a range of skills including vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, comprehension, and creative writing. While tests may vary according to region and school, the focus remains on good literacy skills and a wide vocabulary.
The English exam may or may not be a multiple-choice test, but it generally includes vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, comprehension, and creative writing. Some exams, such as CEM, also include English within Verbal Reasoning.
Here are some tips for each year level to help your child prepare for the 11+ English exam:
Year 4: English 11 Plus Preparation
Encourage your child to read books and discuss the plot and characters with them. See, for example, the Sevenoaks School Reading List as a good place to start.
Engage in vocabulary enhancement activities such as synonyms, antonyms, and plurals. See the British Council for some excellent vocabulary enhancing games.
Encourage your child to have fun with word puzzles.
Year 5: English 11 Plus Preparation
Keep up with reading and encourage your child to read more difficult or classic books. You can find a good example here.
Start doing comprehension exercises and work through the Year 6 SATS Past Papers.
Encourage your child to engage in creative writing on a range of topics.
Practise punctuation, as this is an area where children often perform poorly.
Year 6: English 11 Plus Preparation
Focus on past papers, covering comprehension and creative writing exercises. Many examples are available online.
Keep building vocabulary wherever possible by quizzing your child on difficult words in everyday conversation or in the media
Regardless of the year level, encouraging your child to read each evening is key. Reading not only helps to build vocabulary but also improves comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Maths Exams for 11+
11 Plus Maths exams can be daunting for many students, but with the right preparation, they can be conquered. These exams test a student's knowledge of the Key Stage 2 syllabus, so it's important to ensure that they have a good understanding of the concepts covered in their primary school curriculum. The 11+ Maths exam questions demand confident knowledge of multiplication tables and the ability to use the four number operations (+ - x ÷) accurately. Your child may also be tested on measurement, geometry, handling data, and number relationships. It's worth noting that the 11+ Maths exams may or may not be multiple-choice, so it's important that your child is comfortable with a range of question formats.
We highly recommend White Rose Maths as a fantastic online resource for your child to use to consolidate their knowledge of topics as they progress through each stage of the National Curriculum. Note: For the most competitive schools, students should aim to advance their level beyond their age range so working up to other Year stages ahead of time can be good to aim for. As well as this, looking beyond the syllabus to problem solving, multi-step Maths questions can be benefical. The Primary Maths Challenge is a great place to look for this style of questioning.
Year 4: 11 Plus Maths Preparation
In Year 4, it's essential to check your child's basic maths skills, ensuring they are up-to-date with their school syllabus. Consolidate times tables and number bonds, as these are the foundation for all maths concepts. Times Tables Rock Stars is a popular primary school resource that can help your child improve their multiplication skills. You can also practise 'real life' maths using money, train timetables, and maps to help your child develop their problem-solving skills.
Year 5: 11 Plus Maths Preparation
In Year 5, you should focus on practising mental maths each day with lots of quick-fire questions and online games. Work through difficult areas with your child, encouraging them to apply their knowledge with practice questions. Year 5 is quite a crucial year to begin formal 11+ preparation in earnest - start to look at Maths past papers for the tests and work through these with your child, pausing to consolidate topics they find difficult. If you are not best placed to help with this, you could look to get an 11+ specialist tutor on board to support (details below).
Year 6: 11 Plus Maths Preparation
In Year 6, the focus should continue to be on 11+ exam past papers, ensuring that you cover a variety of 11+ exam questions. Prioritise time management, thinking about speed and accuracy. Make sure your child reads the question properly! This is crucial, as many children lose marks simply because they misread the 11+ exam question!
11+ Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning exam is designed to test a child’s problem-solving and information-processing skills at speed. It usually involves finding and following rules, processing verbal information, and applying basic maths skills. Success in Verbal Reasoning relies heavily on a wide vocabulary, which is crucial for understanding the questions and answering them accurately. The exams are written by educational publishers GL and CEM, and it's important to establish which test your child will be sitting.
Unlike other subjects, Verbal Reasoning is not part of the National Curriculum, so it may feel unfamiliar at first. However, with the right preparation, your child can excel in this area.
Here are some tips on how to prepare your child for the Verbal Reasoning exam:
Year 4: Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Reading is crucial for building vocabulary. Encourage your child to read widely, both fiction and non-fiction, and ask them about the plot and characters in their book. This will not only help with vocabulary but also comprehension skills. Another recommended reading list can be found here.
Ensure your child has a good foundation in spelling. Encourage them to practise spelling as much as possible, and play games that involve spelling, such as Scrabble or Boggle. Some good spelling games can be found here.
Year 5: Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Spend some time understanding the key question types with your child. There are various types of questions that can come up in the Verbal Reasoning exam, such as codes, analogies, and letter sequences. Work through some 11+ exam sample questions together, so your child can get a feel for the types of questions that they may encounter.
Start to do some short untimed tests. This will help your child build confidence and get used to answering questions quickly and accurately.
Year 6: Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Focus on past papers, concentrating on speed and accuracy. Past papers are a great way to familiarise your child with the format of the exam and the types of questions that may come up. Encourage them to practise answering questions under timed conditions to improve speed and accuracy.
Vocabulary remains key. Make sure your child knows the meaning of the words that commonly appear in 11+ exam Verbal Reasoning questions. You can find a list of these words on the Eleven Plus Exams website.
Key tip: play word games to increase vocabulary! Playing games like Scrabble, Bananagrams, and Boggle can be a fun way to build vocabulary and improve spelling skills.
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning
One of the key areas that children are tested on is Non-Verbal Reasoning, also known as Spatial Awareness. This type of reasoning tests a child’s logic and observational skills, aiming to assess their ability regardless of their educational background or level of practice.
The Non-Verbal Reasoning exams usually require children to process graphic or pictorial information and think about how objects relate to each other in space. Like verbal reasoning, this type of assessment is not part of the National Curriculum, which means that it may feel unfamiliar to children at first. Here are some tips to help your child prepare for Non-Verbal Reasoning:
Year 5: Non-Verbal Reasoning Preparation
In Year 5, it's important to familiarise yourself and your child with the key question types. Start with short untimed tests and treat them as puzzles. This will help your child develop a problem-solving approach to Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Year 6: Non-Verbal Reasoning Preparation
In Year 6, the focus should be on 11+ exam past papers, concentrating on speed and accuracy. Compile all the resources linked in the previous parts of this blog including revision for other core subjects such as Maths, English and Science that will also support your child’s development in Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Key tip: Timing is crucial. Encourage your child to practice answering questions in a given time frame. This will help them to become more efficient and accurate in their responses.
Beginning to prepare for 11+ exams
1. Find out which 11+ exams your child will be taking
It is essential to know which 11+ exams your child will be taking. There are several exam boards (e.g. North London Consortium, ISEB, CEM), each with their own format, subject areas, and paper components. Once you know which exams your child will be taking, you can research the content and structure of each paper and develop an 11+ exam preparation plan accordingly.
2. Gather resources
There are many resources available to help with 11+ exam preparation. Books such as Bond, The 11+ Exam: A Parent's Guide, and CGP 11+ Parents’ Guide are great places to start. The 11 Plus Guide website also provides helpful information, tips, and practice papers. Make sure to choose resources that align with the specific exams your child will be taking.
3. Make a Plan
Planning is essential for your 11+ exam preparation. Consider how much time you have available and develop a plan accordingly. There are typically three stages to preparation:
Skills development: Ensure your child is up-to-date with their school curriculum and test them on their knowledge with extra quizzes.
Exam technique development: Familiarise your child with the techniques required in each subject and provide practice papers without the pressure of timing or exam settings. This is most crucial as most students are unfamiliar with the format of question most 11+ exams use
Exam practice: Focus on 11+ exam practice papers or short 11+ exam tests to check your child’s progress, focusing on accuracy and time management.
Think about how much time you have and plan accordingly.
4. Get started!
If you’ve followed all of our above tips you’ve got nothing else to lose so it’s time to get stuck in! We’re sure you’ll smash the 11+ exams!
Join Our 11 Plus Summer Courses to Boost Your Child’s Chance of Success!
The online 11+ courses aim to challenge students applying to the top UK Schools, pushing beyond the National Curriculum level. This is especially important for those applying to the most academic schools and /or scholarships. Click the button below and scroll down the 11 Plus page to view the full course outlines, as well as details of 1-1 11+ tuition if you prefer individual preparation support.
Pressure and Stress
The 11 Plus exam is a notoriously challenging test that can induce anxiety in both parents and children. With the pressure to perform well and secure a place in a top-tier school, it's easy to become consumed by exam preparation and forget the importance of balance.
It's essential to remember that schools are looking for your child's potential, not just how much revision they have done. While it's essential to prepare for the 11 Plus, it's equally important to maintain balance by keeping up with other activities and interests outside of academic work. Encouraging your child to participate in extracurricular activities or hobbies can help to reduce stress and promote overall wellbeing.
11+ Tutoring: How can it can help?
For some parents, the pressure of the 11 Plus can lead them to consider tutoring for their child. While the exam does not require tutoring, some extra support with your child’s 11+ exam preparation may be beneficial. For example, if you're concerned about your child's progress in a particular 11+ exam subject or want help in ensuring they are on track, an eleven plus tutor can provide guidance and support.
A tutor can also provide advice on the overall 11 Plus preparation process, including writing a syllabus for your child to follow, or supporting them with regular sessions. They can provide practice materials, strategies for time management, and exam techniques to help your child feel more confident and prepared.
Aside from this, the most important thing you can do as a parent is to support your child emotionally and mentally throughout the 11 Plus process. Encourage them to do their best, but also remind them that their worth is not determined by the outcome of an exam.
Looking to tackle specific 10 Plus or 11 Plus commonly-asked interview questions?
U2 Tuition’s Oxbridge-educated alumni of top UK schools with specialisms in 10 and 11+ entrance have compiled a 10-page guide, which leads you through questions typically asked by the big players. Gain insight into the various interview formats, as well as more tips for further preparation.
Questions about the school
Answering situational questions
Current affairs questions
Extracurricular profile: interests and achievements
Mental maths questions
Literary skills questions
General academic questions
Personality test questions