What is the 11+ Entrance Exam?
The 11+ entrance exam is a selective admission assessment taken by students in Year 6, typically at age 10 or 11, to gain entry to grammar schools and independent senior schools across the UK. This examination evaluates a child's academic abilities and potential, determining their suitability for selective secondary education.
Grammar schools use the 11+ to identify students who will thrive in an academically rigorous environment, whilst independent schools employ it as part of their admissions process to assess candidates' readiness for their particular curriculum. Success in the 11+ opens doors to schools renowned for academic excellence, smaller class sizes, and enhanced educational opportunities.
For many families, the 11+ represents a pivotal moment in their child's academic journey. The exam's competitive nature means thorough preparation is essential, as places at selective schools are highly sought after, particularly in regions with limited grammar school provision.
Exam Format and Structure
The 11+ exam varies significantly depending on the examining body and school. However, most assessments evaluate four core areas: English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Some schools test all four subjects, whilst others focus on specific combinations.
English
The English paper typically assesses reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary. Students encounter comprehension passages followed by detailed questions testing inference, analysis, and understanding. Grammar sections evaluate knowledge of parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation rules, and spelling patterns. Duration ranges from 45 to 60 minutes.
Mathematics
Mathematics papers test numerical reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of Key Stage 2 curriculum topics. Questions cover arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, algebra, geometry, measurements, and data handling. Word problems requiring multi-step solutions are common, testing both computational skills and logical thinking. Papers typically last 45 to 60 minutes.
Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning assesses the ability to solve problems using words and language. Question types include:
- Word relationships and analogies
- Letter sequences and codes
- Classification and odd-one-out questions
- Completing sentences with appropriate words
- Following written instructions precisely
This section measures vocabulary, logical thinking, and the capacity to identify patterns in language. Duration is typically 45 to 50 minutes.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning evaluates problem-solving using visual information and patterns. Students work with shapes, sequences, and spatial relationships rather than words or numbers. Common question types involve:
- Identifying patterns in sequences of shapes
- Recognising rotations, reflections, and transformations
- Solving matrix puzzles
- Finding odd shapes out from groups
- Completing visual analogies
This section tests logical thinking independent of language skills, typically lasting 45 to 50 minutes.
Scoring and Pass Marks
Most 11+ exams are marked using standardised age-adjusted scores, accounting for the exact age of each candidate when they sit the exam. This ensures fairness, as students born later in the academic year compete on equal terms with older peers.
Standardised scores typically range from 69 to 141, with 100 representing the average. Grammar schools generally require scores between 110 and 121 for admission, though this varies by region and school. Super-selective grammar schools may set thresholds above 130.
Independent schools often set their own pass marks and may weight different papers according to their educational priorities. Some schools combine 11+ results with performance in school-specific assessments and interviews.
Assessment Timeline
The 11+ assessment cycle follows a structured timeline that families must navigate carefully to ensure their child's participation.
Registration
Registration typically opens in the spring or early summer of Year 5, approximately 12 to 16 months before the exam. Deadlines fall between June and July, though some schools and regions extend registration into early autumn of Year 6. Missing registration deadlines can exclude your child from consideration, making early awareness essential.
Exam Dates
Most 11+ exams occur in September or early October of Year 6. Some independent schools schedule assessments in November or January. Students may sit exams on different dates if applying to multiple schools using different examining bodies.
Results
Grammar school results typically arrive in mid to late October, approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the exam. Independent schools may release results more quickly or incorporate them into a longer admissions process extending into the spring term. Successful candidates receive offers, whilst borderline cases might be placed on waiting lists.
Appeals
Grammar schools operate appeals processes for unsuccessful candidates, though these focus on procedural errors rather than re-marking. Independent schools may offer feedback meetings to discuss performance and potential reapplication.
Preparation Strategy
Effective preparation for the 11+ requires structured planning, consistent effort, and a balanced approach that maintains your child's wellbeing alongside academic development.
When to Begin
Most families commence formal preparation 12 to 18 months before the exam, typically in Year 5. This timeframe allows thorough coverage of content without overwhelming your child. Starting earlier risks burnout, whilst beginning too late may leave insufficient time to address weaknesses.
Initial preparation should focus on familiarising your child with question types and building foundational skills. As the exam approaches, practice becomes more intensive, incorporating timed conditions and full mock papers.
Study Schedule
Consistent, manageable study sessions prove more effective than intensive cramming. A typical weekly schedule might include:
- 3-4 focused sessions of 45-60 minutes each
- Each session targeting one specific subject area
- Regular practice papers under timed conditions
- Weekly review of mistakes and difficult concepts
- Breaks between sessions to prevent fatigue
During school holidays, slightly longer sessions can accelerate progress, but maintaining balance with rest and recreation remains vital. Overworking your child can diminish motivation and confidence.
Key Skills Development
Beyond subject knowledge, successful candidates demonstrate specific skills that preparation should cultivate:
Time Management: The 11+ demands quick, accurate work under pressure. Regular timed practice helps children develop pacing strategies, learn when to move past difficult questions, and allocate time effectively across papers.
Exam Technique: Understanding how to approach different question types, eliminate incorrect multiple-choice options, and check answers efficiently can significantly improve performance. Teaching children to read questions carefully and identify what's actually being asked prevents careless errors.
Resilience: The 11+ can be challenging, and children must learn to manage stress and maintain focus when encountering difficult questions. Building confidence through incremental progress and celebrating improvements helps develop the mental fortitude needed on exam day.
Broad Vocabulary: Extensive reading beyond the curriculum enriches vocabulary essential for English and Verbal Reasoning. Encourage diverse reading materials including fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, and age-appropriate magazines.
Practise Requirements
Quality practice materials make substantial differences to outcomes. Utilise:
- Official practice papers from the examining body your child will face
- Published 11+ workbooks covering all four subject areas
- Online platforms offering adaptive practice questions
- Full mock exams replicating actual test conditions
Review every practice paper thoroughly, analysing mistakes to identify patterns and knowledge gaps. Understanding why an answer was incorrect proves more valuable than simply knowing the right answer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Starting Preparation Too Late
Families who delay preparation until a few months before the exam often find their child overwhelmed by the volume of content to cover. Insufficient time to address weaknesses or develop exam technique can undermine performance. Beginning early allows gradual, stress-free progress.
Over-Reliance on Generic Materials
The 11+ varies significantly between examining bodies and regions. Using materials designed for different exam formats wastes time and may teach inappropriate techniques. Always identify which specific exam your child will sit and source materials aligned to that format.
Neglecting Weaker Areas
Children naturally gravitate towards subjects they find easier, but the 11+ requires competence across all tested areas. Balanced preparation addressing weaknesses whilst maintaining strengths produces better overall scores. Regular assessment identifies areas needing additional focus.
Creating Excessive Pressure
Whilst the 11+ is important, it shouldn't consume family life or damage your child's wellbeing. Excessive pressure can increase anxiety, reduce motivation, and ultimately harm performance. Maintain perspective, celebrate effort alongside achievement, and ensure your child understands their worth isn't determined by exam results.
Insufficient Mock Exam Practise
Completing numerous practice questions doesn't replicate the experience of sitting full papers under timed, exam-like conditions. Children need exposure to sustained concentration, time pressure, and the mental demands of completing multiple papers. Schedule regular mock exams in quiet environments, strictly enforcing time limits and exam conditions.
Resources and Practise Materials
Past Papers
Official past papers from examining bodies provide the most authentic practice. The main examining bodies include:
- GL Assessment (formerly Granada Learning)
- CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring)
- ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board)
Each produces distinct question styles and formats. Identify which body your target schools use and obtain relevant past papers directly from their websites or through schools.
Recommended Books
Reputable publishers offering comprehensive 11+ materials include:
- Bond 11+ (extensive range covering all subjects and exam types)
- CGP (clear explanations and varied practice)
- Schofield & Sims (particularly strong for reasoning)
- Letts (good value practice workbooks)
Select materials matching your child's target exam format. Many publishers specify GL, CEM, or general 11+ preparation.
Online Resources
Digital platforms offer adaptive practice that adjusts difficulty based on performance:
- Exam board websites provide official sample materials
- Subscription services offer thousands of practice questions
- Educational apps gamify practice for younger students
- Video tutorials explain complex reasoning techniques
Online resources complement rather than replace traditional practice papers. Ensure screen time remains balanced with other study methods.
Practise Question Sources
Beyond formal resources, families can incorporate 11+ skills into daily life:
- Newspaper word games and puzzles develop Verbal Reasoning
- Pattern-spotting activities build Non-Verbal Reasoning skills
- Mental arithmetic during shopping strengthens Mathematics
- Discussing books develops comprehension and vocabulary
Making practice feel like play rather than work can enhance engagement and reduce stress.
How Taylor Tuition Can Help
Taylor Tuition specialises in comprehensive 11+ preparation that maximises your child's potential whilst maintaining their enthusiasm for learning. Our structured programmes address every aspect of the exam, from foundational knowledge to advanced technique.
Expert Tutors
Our tutors possess extensive experience preparing students for the 11+ across all examining bodies. They understand the nuances distinguishing GL from CEM formats and tailor instruction to the specific exams your child will face. With expertise in identifying learning gaps and adapting teaching methods to individual needs, our tutors build both competence and confidence.
Structured Preparation Programmes
We develop personalised study plans aligned to your timeline and your child's current abilities. Initial assessments establish baselines in all four subject areas, allowing us to create targeted programmes addressing weaknesses whilst reinforcing strengths. Regular progress tracking ensures preparation remains on schedule, with adjustments made as needed.
Our programmes incorporate:
- Systematic coverage of all exam content
- Progressive difficulty to build skills incrementally
- Regular mock exams under authentic conditions
- Detailed feedback identifying specific improvement areas
- Time management and exam technique training
- Confidence-building strategies for managing exam stress
Our Teaching Approach
We believe effective 11+ preparation balances rigorous academic development with maintaining your child's love of learning. Our tutors create supportive environments where mistakes become learning opportunities and challenging questions develop resilience rather than anxiety.
Sessions combine direct instruction with guided practice, ensuring children understand concepts thoroughly before applying them independently. We teach problem-solving strategies applicable across question types, developing transferable thinking skills valuable beyond the exam itself.
Parents receive regular updates on progress, upcoming focus areas, and ways to support learning at home. We maintain open communication, addressing concerns promptly and adjusting approaches based on your child's evolving needs.
Begin Your Child's 11+ Journey
Whether your child is beginning preparation or needs additional support approaching the exam, Taylor Tuition can help them achieve their potential. Our expert tutors, proven programmes, and personalised approach have helped numerous families navigate the 11+ successfully.
Contact us today through our enquiry page to discuss your child's 11+ preparation and discover how we can support their journey to selective school success. We offer English tutoring, Maths tutoring, and specialist 11+ preparation tailored to your family's needs.