How to Prepare for the 11 Plus Exam: A Parent’s Complete Guide

Last updated: 18 June 2026

How to prepare for the 11 Plus exam

Start 11 Plus preparation 12-18 months before the exam, ideally in Year 4 or early Year 5. The exam typically covers English, Maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, though the exact format varies by region and school. Consistent practice over a sustained period — at least 3-4 sessions per week of 30-45 minutes — is more effective than intensive last-minute cramming.

What is the 11 Plus exam?

The 11 Plus is a selective entrance exam taken by children in Year 5 or Year 6 (ages 10-11) to gain entry to grammar schools and some selective independent schools. In England, there are approximately 163 grammar schools and competition for places is intense — many schools receive 5-10 applications per place.

The exam is not set by a single body. Different regions use different test providers:

GL Assessment — used in many areas including Kent, Buckinghamshire, and some London boroughs
CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) — used in areas including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and some independent schools
ISEB (Independent Schools Examination Board) — used by many independent schools

For families in South London (the area StudyBox serves), the most common format is GL Assessment, which tests English, Maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

When to start preparing

Year 4 (12-18 months before the exam)

This is the ideal time to begin. At this stage, preparation should focus on:

Building core skills in Maths and English to a strong Year 5/6 level
Introducing verbal reasoning — most schools do not teach this, so it will be new to your child
Introducing non-verbal reasoning — pattern recognition, spatial awareness, sequences
Developing reading comprehension beyond the level expected in school

Year 5 (6-12 months before the exam)

By this stage, your child should be working through practice papers and timed exercises regularly. The focus shifts to:

Exam technique — time management, reading questions carefully, checking answers
Weak area targeting — identifying and drilling the specific question types your child struggles with
Full practice tests under timed conditions, at least once a month

Is it too late to start in Year 5?

No, but you will need to be more intensive. A child starting in Year 5 can still achieve a good score, but they will need more frequent sessions (4-5 per week) and a highly structured programme that targets the highest-impact areas first.

What is tested in the 11 Plus?

English

Comprehension passages requiring inference, deduction and evaluation. Vocabulary questions testing synonyms, antonyms and word meanings in context. Some tests include a creative or persuasive writing task. The standard required is significantly above normal Year 5 classroom level.

Maths

Arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, geometry, algebra basics, data handling and problem-solving. All topics from the Year 5/6 national curriculum, plus some topics that are typically introduced in Year 7. Speed and accuracy are essential — questions are designed to be achievable but time-pressured.

Verbal reasoning

Tests of logical thinking using words: codes, analogies, odd-one-out, word patterns, hidden words, and letter sequences. This is rarely taught in primary school, so most children need dedicated preparation. There are approximately 21 standard verbal reasoning question types.

Non-verbal reasoning

Tests of logical thinking using shapes and patterns: sequences, rotations, reflections, folding, spatial reasoning, and matrix puzzles. Like verbal reasoning, this requires specific practice to develop the pattern-recognition skills needed.

How to practise at home

Use published practice papers — Bond, CGP, and Letts all produce 11 Plus practice books aligned to GL and CEM formats. Work through them systematically, not randomly.
Time every practice session — the 11 Plus is a time-pressured exam. Your child needs to practise working quickly and accurately under timed conditions.
Review every mistake — don’t just mark the paper and move on. Go through every wrong answer and make sure your child understands why the correct answer is correct.
Read widely — children who read regularly score higher on comprehension and vocabulary sections. Encourage reading of fiction, non-fiction, newspapers and magazines.
Practise mental arithmetic daily — times tables, number bonds, and quick calculations must be automatic. If your child has to think about 7×8, they’re losing time on every question.

Does your child need an 11 Plus tutor?

While some children pass the 11 Plus with only home preparation, most successful candidates receive some form of external tuition. The reasons are:

Verbal and non-verbal reasoning are specialist subjects not taught in school
The standard required is significantly above normal classroom level
A tutor can identify and target weak areas that parents may not recognise
Structured preparation builds exam technique and confidence

How to Prepare for the 11 Plus Exam: A Parent’s Complete Guide