11 Plus Exam Preparation: A Parent’s 2025 Guide

By Reena Damani, Founder of Academic Success

Let’s be honest, the mere mention of “11 Plus exam preparation” can send even the most composed parent into a mild panic. I’ve seen it countless times in my 20 years of teaching: that slightly wild look in parents’ eyes when they realise their little one needs to tackle this academic milestone. But here’s the thing it doesn’t have to be the source of family drama, tears (yours or theirs!), or a fortune spent on tutoring.

As a mum of two who’s guided hundreds of children through this journey, I’m here to share what really works when it comes to 11+ preparation. Think of this as your friendly chat over coffee, where I spill all the secrets that actually make a difference.

What Exactly Is The 11 Plus?

Before we dive into the how, let’s get clear on the what. The 11 Plus is essentially the academic gateway to grammar and many independent schools across the UK. It’s taken in Year 6 (hence the name – children are typically 11), and it tests four core areas:

• English (usually comprehension, spelling, punctuation, and grammar)
• Mathematics (covering Key Stage 2 topics and beyond)
• Verbal Reasoning (word puzzles and language logic)
• Non-Verbal Reasoning (pattern recognition and visual puzzles)

Now, here’s where it gets interesting, not every school tests all four areas. Some focus on just two or three, which is why knowing your target schools is absolutely crucial. It’s like preparing for a dinner party without knowing if your guests are vegetarian, you might end up with entirely the wrong menu!

 

The Golden Rule: Start Early, Go Steady

I cannot stress this enough: the families who succeed with 11+ preparation are those who start early and maintain a steady, sustainable pace. Think marathon, not sprint.

When to start? Ideally, begin building those foundational skills in Year 4, with more focused preparation starting in early Year 5. This gives you 18-24 months of gentle, consistent work rather than a frantic Year 6 cramming session that benefits no one (least of all your family harmony).

Why early works: Children’s brains are like sponges, and when you give them time to absorb concepts gradually, they develop genuine understanding rather than surface-level tricks. Plus, it reduces the pressure enormously – for them and for you.

Building Those Rock-Solid Foundations

Before your child can tackle complex 11+ questions, they need bulletproof basics. I call these the “non-negotiables”:

Reading Like a Detective

Your child needs to read with forensic precision. This means:

• Reading every word (no skipping or guessing)
• Understanding exactly what’s being asked before diving into answers
• Spotting the subtle differences between similar answer choices

Quick win tip: When reading bedtime stories, occasionally pause and ask, “What do you think the character is feeling here, and what in the text tells you that?” You’re building inference skills without it feeling like work.

Mental Maths Mastery

Times tables need to be instant and I mean instant. If your child is still counting on fingers for 7 x 8, they’ll run out of time before they’ve barely started the maths paper.

Quick win tip: Use car journeys for rapid-fire maths. “Quick! 12 x 7!” “What’s 144 divided by 12?” Make it a game, not a test.

Vocabulary Like a Walking Dictionary

A rich vocabulary isn’t just helpful for English, it’s essential for verbal reasoning too. Children with broader vocabularies simply have more tools in their toolkit.

Quick win tip: When your child asks what a word means, don’t just tell them, ask them to guess first based on context. Then give them the definition and challenge them to use it in three different sentences throughout the day.

 

The Four Pillars of 11+ Preparation Success

1. Strategic School Research

This is where many families go wrong – they pick schools based on reputation alone. Instead, dig deeper:

• What specific subjects does each school test?
• What’s the format (GL Assessment, CEM, or school-specific)?
• How competitive are the places?
• Most importantly, would your child actually thrive there?

I’ve seen children gain places at “top” schools only to struggle because the environment wasn’t right for them. The best school is the one where your child will flourish, not necessarily the one with the highest league table position.

 

2. Exam Technique That Actually Works

Here’s what they don’t tell you: many children lose marks not because they don’t know the content, but because their exam technique is poor.

The game-changers:

• Read every question twice before looking at answers
• Underline key words in the question
• Cross out obviously wrong answers first
• Don’t get stuck – if you’re wrestling with a question for more than two minutes, mark it and move on
• Always go back to check if time allows

 

3. Practice Papers (But Not How You Think)

Yes, practice papers are important, but most families use them wrong. Here’s my approach:

Phase 1 (Early preparation): Untimed, with help available. Focus on understanding question types and building confidence.

Phase 2 (Mid preparation): Light timing, checking answers together and discussing mistakes.

Phase 3 (Exam approach): Full exam conditions, but with plenty of encouragement and debrief afterwards.

The key is that practice papers should build up your child’s confidence, not destroy it.

 

4. The Mindset Game

This is the secret sauce that separates successful families from stressed ones. Your child’s mindset towards the 11+ will largely mirror yours.

Instead of: “You must pass this exam” Try: “This is an opportunity to show what you’ve learned”

Instead of: “Everyone else is doing more work than us” Try: “We’re doing exactly what’s right for our family”

Creating Your Family 11+ Strategy

The Weekly Timetable Structure That Works

Based on what I’ve seen work with hundreds of families:

Years 4-5:

• 2-3 sessions per week
• 20-30 minutes each
• Focus on building foundations
• Make it feel like game time, not school time

Year 6 (Exam year):

• 3-4 sessions per week
• 30-45 minutes each
• Mix of skill-building and exam practice
• Include regular celebration of progress

The Art of Little and Often

Fifteen minutes of focused work every day beats a two-hour weekend session every time. Children’s attention spans are limited, and you want to end each session while they still want more, not when they’re fed up.

Managing Multiple Children

If you have siblings at different stages, involve them all. Your younger child can “help” by timing sessions or checking answers. Your older child can explain concepts to younger ones (excellent revision technique!). Make it a family learning adventure rather than something that divides you.

When Things Don’t Go to Plan

Let’s be realistic, not every child will sail through 11+ preparation. Some will find certain areas challenging, others might have confidence wobbles, and occasionally, despite best efforts, the results might not be what you hoped for.

If your child is struggling:

• Focus on their effort, not just results
• Consider whether you need additional support (yes, sometimes a good tutor makes all the difference)
• Remember that children develop at different rates
• Keep the bigger picture in mind there are many paths to success

If results disappoint:

• Your child is not defined by one exam result
• Many successful adults didn’t attend grammar schools
• Use it as a learning experience about resilience and bouncing back
• Remember that the right school for your child might well be a different one anyway

The Reality Check: What Success Really Looks Like

Here’s what I want every parent to remember: 11+ success isn’t just about getting a place at a particular school. It’s about:

• Your child developing confidence in their abilities
• Building strong study habits that will serve them throughout their education
• Learning to manage pressure and bounce back from setbacks
• Discovering that with effort and the right support, they can achieve things they didn’t think possible

I’ve worked with children who didn’t get their first-choice school but thrived at their second choice. I’ve also worked with children who got into highly competitive schools but found them too pressured. Success is about finding the right fit.

• Beg

Your 11+ Preparation Checklist

By the end of Year 4:

• Research your target schools thoroughly
• Begin building core reading, writing, and maths skills
• Introduce your child to the idea of grammar schools (if relevant)

By the end of Year 5:

• Register for school entrance exams
• Begin familiarising your child with 11+ question types
• Start light practice with past papers
• Consider additional support if needed

During Year 6:

• Maintain regular practice schedule
• Focus on exam technique
• Complete school application forms
• Prepare for exam day logistics

The Bottom Line

11+ preparation doesn’t have to dominate your family life or create stress that lasts for years. With the right approach – starting early, building solid foundations, maintaining realistic expectations, and keeping the bigger picture in mind – it can actually be a positive experience that brings out the best in your child.

Remember, you’re not just preparing them for an exam; you’re helping them develop skills, confidence, and resilience that will serve them well whatever path their education takes.

At Academic Success, we’ve seen hundreds of children and families navigate this journey successfully. The secret isn’t in having the most expensive tutoring or doing the most practice papers – it’s in taking a thoughtful, sustainable approach that works for your child and your family.

Every child deserves to feel confident and capable. With the right support and approach, the 11+ can be the beginning of an exciting new chapter rather than a source of family stress.

“If you’re wondering exactly when the 11+ exams take place and how to plan around them, don’t miss our guide: When Are 11+ Exams? A Parent’s Guide to Surviving the Timetable of Doom.”

What questions do you have about 11+ preparation? I’d love to hear from you – after all, every child’s journey is unique, and sometimes the best guidance comes from understanding your specific situation.

Reena Damani is the founder of Academic Success, with over 20 years of experience helping children aged 3-11 build strong foundations and reach their potential. She has guided hundreds of children through successful 11+ preparation and continues to support families across the UK in their educational journeys.