11+ Preparation
The 11+ will test your child’s ability to think critically, respond to instructions, advance skills, and work under pressure. It is useful to practise these skills with a parent, guardian or tutor, before the test to ensure that your child is completely familiar with the format of the test and working under these exam conditions for the first time.
Additionally, some of the tests may be in unfamiliar formats such as multiple-choice, or contain new subject areas that they don’t necessarily cover in schools, like verbal and non-verbal reasoning. If these are tested in the 11+ exam your child will be sitting, some preparation is useful, so that they can compete fairly against children who have practised these question types in school.
We have many verbal and non-verbal papers which we can work through with your child, so they know what to expect on the day of the tests. Always check with the school you are applying to, to see if verbal and non-verbal reasoning is tested. Secondary schools with entrance exams in your area will be able to share information on how testing works for their school.
Most of our English courses at KS2 will cover the grammar, comprehension and writing skills required for the 11+ test for English, so you could start your child on the KS2 Grammar course for example, then start to look at 11+ paper familiarisation six months prior to the child sitting the tests. ​The English element of the 11+ preparation papers really tests a deep understanding of the language, so it will be essential to make sure children read broadly and have lots of opportunities to listen to spoken English. If your child is struggling with their English skills, we can work with your child on language development, building vocabulary, practising spelling, developing oral skills, and improving comprehension for 11+ preparation. Each of these subjects are tested in the 11+ and SATs, as well as during secondary school so it will not harm your child to develop these skills in addition to their schoolwork.
We can start working with your child from Year 4 (age 9) to prepare them for their 11+ exam, initially it may just be one lesson a week, or every two weeks, it is important not to overwhelm them, as they are already studying at school.