The 11+ is an entrance exam used by grammar and independent schools to select pupils. With the right preparation — started early and kept calm — your child can approach it with confidence.
What does the 11+ test?
The exact format varies by region and school, but most 11+ exams assess some combination of:
- English — comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and writing
- Maths — arithmetic, problem-solving, and reasoning
- Verbal reasoning — logic and language-based problems
- Non-verbal reasoning — patterns, shapes, and spatial logic
When should you start?
Many families begin around a year to eighteen months before the exam, which is usually sat at the start of Year 6. Starting early means preparation can be gentle and steady rather than rushed and stressful.
How to prepare effectively
Build strong foundations first
Before drilling exam questions, make sure your child is confident with core English and Maths from the national curriculum. The reasoning sections build on these basics.
Practise little and often
Short, regular practice sessions beat long, draining ones. Twenty focused minutes a day is more effective — and far kinder — than hours at the weekend.
Use practice papers
As the exam approaches, timed practice papers help your child get used to the format and pace. Review mistakes together calmly.
Keep it positive
Pressure is counterproductive. Praise effort over results, keep perspective, and remember that the 11+ is one route among many. A good tutor can also take the emotional weight off the parent-child relationship by handling the academic side.
Give your child the best start
Experienced 11+ tutors can build a structured preparation plan tailored to your target schools.
Find an 11+ Tutor →