11 Plus for Parents: The Ultimate Guide

The 11 Plus exam is a key milestone for children aged 11–12 aiming for admission to UK grammar schools. Covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English, and Mathematics, the exam requires extensive preparation beyond the primary school curriculum. This guide provides essential insights, practical tips, and strategies to help parents support their child’s success.

What is the 11 Plus Exam?

The 11 Plus is an entrance test designed to assess critical thinking, problem-solving, and academic abilities. It includes four main areas:

1. English: Based on Key Stage 2 (KS2) curriculum, but may involve topics not yet taught by Year 6.
2. Mathematics: Tests KS2 maths, including algebra, ratio, and proportion, which might require extra practice.
3. Verbal Reasoning: Requires advanced vocabulary and the ability to interpret language patterns.
4. Non-Verbal Reasoning: Focuses on logic and pattern recognition using shapes and sequences.

How the Exam Boards Differ

The exam is administered by two main boards:

• GL (Granada Learning): Tests all four subjects with consistent formatting.
• CEM (Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring): Groups English and Verbal Reasoning, and Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with formatting that changes annually.

The format may be standard (answers written on the paper) or multiple choice (answers recorded in a separate booklet). Exam duration is usually 45 minutes per section.

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10 Working Tips for Parents to Support 11 Plus Preparation

• Choose the Right Grammar School Consider the school’s location, commute time, and workload. Long commutes can limit your child’s ability to participate in extracurricular activities and maintain balance.
• Build Strong Foundations Early Start developing core English and maths skills from Year 3. Encourage daily reading and mental maths exercises such as multiplication, addition, and subtraction.
• Stay Consistent Create a study timetable to cover all subjects regularly. Avoid distractions and schedule short breaks to maintain focus.
• Expand Vocabulary A strong vocabulary is crucial for Verbal Reasoning and comprehension sections. Encourage reading diverse books and use tools like thesauruses and crosswords to improve word knowledge.
• Learn Before Testing Ensure your child fully understands a topic before taking tests. Use quizzes to identify and address gaps in their knowledge.
• Manage Stress Levels Keep preparation stress-free by maintaining a positive approach and avoiding undue pressure. High stress can interfere with memory and focus.
• Create a Study Timetable Avoid overloading the schedule. Plan sessions of 30–50 minutes with breaks to match your child’s attention span.
• Incorporate Varied Study Techniques Use visual aids like mind maps, mnemonics, games, and spelling challenges to make studying engaging and effective.
• Practice with Exam Questions After studying, practice past exam questions under timed conditions to simulate the test environment. This highlights areas needing improvement.
• Double-Check Answers Teach your child to review their answers to avoid missed details or errors. Encourage them to skip challenging questions initially and return to them later.

Key Considerations Before Taking the Exam

• Is your child performing above average at school (Level 5–6)?
• Can they handle the academic demands of grammar school?
• Consult with their teacher to evaluate readiness and strengths.

What Score Does Your Child Need?

There’s no fixed pass mark for the 11 Plus. Grammar schools set their own criteria, often selecting the top 5–15% of students based on performance. Consistently scoring 80% or above in mock tests is a good indicator of readiness.

Steps After Deciding to Take the Exam

Research Grammar Schools:

• Note exam dates, formats, and the subjects tested.
• Understand the school’s selection criteria and available places.

Plan Preparation:

• Use mock papers and timed tests to gauge progress.
• Focus on weaker areas and track improvement.

Supporting Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning

• For Verbal Reasoning: Develop vocabulary with reading and word games.
• For Non-Verbal Reasoning: Use puzzles and pattern recognition exercises to improve logic.

The bottom-line

The 11 Plus is a challenging but rewarding journey. By combining structured preparation, diverse study methods, and emotional support, parents can help their child approach the exam with confidence and readiness.

For more tips and resources on how to increase your 11+ exam score, visit our blog page.

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