When Should You Start Preparing for the 11 Plus Exam?

Every parent asks it. Most ask it late. And a few ask it far too early.

The truth is, there’s no single right moment to start preparing for the 11 Plus exam—but there is a wrong way to time it. Starting too soon risks burnout. Starting too late causes panic. And the sweet spot? That depends less on age, and more on readiness.

If you’re wondering when should you start preparing for the 11 Plus exam, the answer is: when your child can handle it—not just academically, but emotionally and mentally. This isn’t an exam your child can cram for over a holiday. It’s a test of accumulated skill—how they reason, how they read, how they handle pressure, and whether they can think when it counts. That takes time to shape, and even more time to refine.

If you’re trying to work out when to begin, this guide will walk you through the smart, measured path—not the race-to-the-top version.

1. It’s Not Just About When—It’s About What You’re Building

Before even thinking about dates and timetables, understand this: the 11 Plus isn’t testing what’s been taught—it’s testing what’s been absorbed. Vocabulary, logic, comprehension, spatial awareness, attention span… these aren’t built in six weeks. They’re the result of habits formed over years.

That’s why many successful candidates began preparing long before they knew it. Not with practice papers or tutors—but by reading daily, solving puzzles, handling setbacks, and asking questions.

If your child has been encouraged to think independently, read widely, and express themselves clearly from an early age, they’ve already started—whether you knew it or not.

2. A Year-by-Year Guide to Preparation

To help you visualise how timing can work sensibly, here’s a general outline of what different stages might look like when done well:

Year 3–4: Early Development

• No formal prep. Just regular reading, mental maths games, and conversation that builds vocabulary and reasoning.

• Exposure to logic puzzles, wordplay, and curiosity-driven learning is ideal.

• Zero pressure—just encouragement.

Autumn–Spring of Year 5: Structured Foundations

• Start introducing topic-based prep: comprehension skills, applied maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.

• Two to three sessions per week (30–45 minutes each) is enough.

• Identify your child’s natural strengths and gaps.

Summer of Year 5: Focus and Fluency

• Increase exposure to full-length question formats.

• Introduce timed sections in a gradual way—start with short bursts, build up to full papers.

• Work on exam stamina and strategic thinking.

Autumn of Year 6: Final Polishing

• Prioritise mock exams, performance reviews, and targeted correction.

• Focus shifts from content learning to confidence and timing.

• Reduce volume one to two weeks before the real exam to preserve mental freshness.

The key takeaway? Start building depth in Year 5, not chasing scores in Year 6.

3. Why Starting Too Late Can Backfire

Year 6 is late. Not too late for every child, but late for most.

Starting formal prep just months before the exam means your child has less time to:

• Identify and fix weak spots

• Build timed stamina

• Learn how to analyse and reflect on mistakes

Worse still, they begin the process already behind children who’ve had a year to work calmly and gradually. The result? Panic, self-doubt, and a narrow window to improve.

That said, late doesn’t always mean lost. But if you’re starting in Year 6, you need to focus tightly: reduce the scope, prioritise high-impact areas, and don’t chase perfection. Focus on building confidence, not cramming content.

4. Why Starting Too Early Isn’t Better

Now for the opposite trap: starting in Year 3 or earlier with past papers, formal tuition, or exam-style drills.

The problem? You’re asking a child to stay engaged with something for three years that won’t test them until the final months of Year 5 or start of Year 6. No matter how motivated they seem at the start, the risk of burnout is real.

Many children who start too early:

• Lose interest when it matters most

• Develop identity issues tied to “being an 11 Plus child”

• Peak too soon, then flatline

Instead of early exams, focus on early enrichment. Build curiosity, habits, and problem-solving confidence. That way, when structured prep does begin, your child has the tools to go far—without being exhausted by the journey.

5. What Actually Signals Readiness?

Forget age. Readiness isn’t about being 9 or 10. It’s about being able to:

• Sit and focus for 30–40 minutes at a time

• Reflect on mistakes without shutting down

• Tackle unfamiliar problems without panic

• Ask questions when they don’t understand something

If your child can do those things—even imperfectly—they’re ready for structured prep. If they can’t, build those habits first. The ability to engage meaningfully matters far more than hitting some arbitrary date.

6. What to Focus On First—Before Practice Papers

One of the biggest mistakes parents make is reaching for past papers too soon. At best, early mock papers give false reassurance. At worst, they demoralise a child who hasn’t yet developed the necessary skills.

Instead, early preparation should focus on building the underlying abilities the 11 Plus actually rewards, such as:

• Vocabulary depth: Encourage wide, challenging reading—ideally a mix of fiction and non-fiction. Discuss word meanings in context, not just through flashcards.

• Mental maths fluency: Quick recall of number bonds, multiplication tables, and arithmetic methods pays off later in problem-solving.

• Reasoning practice: Games like codebreakers, Sudoku, logic puzzles, and analogies build the kind of lateral thinking needed in both verbal and non-verbal reasoning.

• Listening and focus: The ability to follow complex instructions or stay engaged with multi-step tasks is a skill that can be nurtured gradually, through both academic and non-academic activities.

This phase isn’t about speed or scores. It’s about creating a strong foundation for formal prep to build on.

7. Structuring Prep Without Overloading

Once your child is ready for a more consistent study routine—usually by the second term of Year 5—structure becomes important. But structure doesn’t mean over-scheduling.

A sustainable early prep plan might look like:

• Two to three focused sessions a week, each 30–45 minutes

• One light review session (to revisit tricky concepts)

• One informal reading, logic, or puzzle activity

• Weekends kept for rest, family, or non-academic hobbies

Keep it predictable but manageable. Studying shouldn’t feel like a burden or a punishment. The goal is to build rhythm—not intensity.

As the exam approaches, you can gradually increase to four or five sessions per week, adding short timed tasks and eventually mock exams. But volume should always follow engagement. If your child is showing signs of resistance, step back and reassess rather than pushing through.

8. What If You’re Starting Later Than Planned?

Not every family hears about the 11 Plus early. Some children only begin preparing midway through Year 6. While that’s not ideal, it’s not the end of the road.

Here’s how to approach late prep strategically:

• Tighten your focus: Don’t try to cover everything. Prioritise subjects and question types most likely to appear in your target school’s format.

• Use diagnostics wisely: A timed paper early on can highlight urgent gaps—but don’t do one every week.

• Set realistic goals: It’s not about being perfect. It’s about becoming confident, consistent, and calm under pressure.

• Avoid burnout: You may need to prepare more days per week, but keep sessions sharp and focused. Quality trumps quantity, especially under time constraints.

And most importantly—manage expectations. Some children thrive under a tight schedule. Others need more time to grow. Either way, the experience of preparing well is valuable, even if the outcome isn’t your first-choice school.

9. How to Phase Your Prep Without Losing Balance

A thoughtful approach to timing recognises that not every month should look the same. Here’s how to phase your child’s 11 Plus preparation across the academic year.

Autumn (Year 5):

• Start building subject-specific knowledge.

• Avoid pressure. Focus on steady progress and identifying learning gaps.

Spring:

• Begin light timed practice.

• Increase reasoning work and refine weak areas.

Summer:

• Introduce full-length practice sections or papers.

• Build stamina and refine exam technique.

• Maintain balance with downtime—fatigue leads to poor retention.

Autumn (Year 6):

• Final polish: mock exams, review cycles, mental conditioning.

• Focus more on strategy and confidence than new content.

• Ease off in the final week to preserve clarity and calm.

Think of this as a training cycle. You’re not preparing a machine—you’re preparing a young person to perform at their best on a single day. That means knowing when to push and when to pause.

10. The Real Goal of Starting Early (or Just Right)

Many parents start preparing early because they want to give their child an edge. But the real benefit of starting early—or at least on time—is much simpler than that.

It gives you room to prepare without panic. It gives your child space to grow into the skills they’ll need. And it allows for failure, recovery, reflection, and refinement—all essential to meaningful learning.

Starting on time means:

• You can pace the workload, not pile it on.

• Your child builds confidence gradually, not artificially.

• You focus on growth, not just results.

Because at its core, the 11 Plus isn’t just about passing a test. It’s about how your child shows up to it—focused, composed, and ready.

Conclusion: Start with Intention, Not Just Early

There’s no gold standard for when to start 11 Plus preparation. What matters more is how you begin.

Some children are ready earlier. Others need more time to mature. But no child benefits from pressure that arrives too soon—or preparation that starts too late to be useful.

Begin when your child can benefit from it. Not because someone else has already started, or because the exam is looming, but because you’ve recognised what needs to be built—and you’re ready to build it with purpose.

That’s how you time this process well. Not by racing, but by preparing wisely.

FAQs

1. Is Year 3 too early to start preparing for the 11 Plus?

Year 3 is too early for formal prep, but it’s a great time to build strong reading habits, number fluency, and curiosity. Focus on developing skills, not test performance.

2. What’s the best age to start structured 11 Plus preparation?

Most children benefit from starting structured prep in early Year 5. This gives enough time to cover core material, build stamina, and develop exam technique without stress.

3. Can you start in Year 6 and still succeed?

Yes, but it depends on your child’s current ability, focus, and time available. You’ll need a focused, strategic plan and realistic expectations.

4. How do I know if my child is ready to start?

Look for signs like attention span, ability to reflect on mistakes, and willingness to engage with challenges. Readiness is about mindset more than age.

5. How many hours per week should early prep involve?

Start with 2–3 short sessions per week, around 30–45 minutes each. Increase gradually as the exam approaches and your child’s focus improves.

6. Should I start with practice papers?

No—start with skill-building: vocabulary, comprehension, mental maths, and reasoning. Practice papers come later, once the basics are secure.

7. What happens if we start too early?

Starting too early with exam-style materials can lead to boredom or burnout. Keep early years focused on enrichment, not performance.