The 11 plus exam is a selective entrance examination for secondary school. Children may sit the 11 plus examination for state-funded grammar schools and private schools. Children do need to be strong academically and will need to prepare before sitting. The examination is taken towards the end of Year 5 or beginning of Year 6 of primary school.

We offer support with the preparation of the 11 plus exams. Many of our tutors are specialists in this area and have many years of experience in supporting our younger learners to progress and succeed with their learning at this stage. All of our tutors are fully qualified teachers with many years of experience. All of our tutors have had exceptional results and continue to provide the highest quality tuition to our youngest students. Scroll down to see our students success rates.

What will the 11 plus exam cover?

Similar to the 7 plus in terms of what is tested. Children will be tested on:

English
Maths
Verbal reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning

Please note that verbal reasoning and non- verbal reasoning are not generally taught in primary schools as stand-alone subjects. Appropriate preparation will be needed here prior to the exam.

Watch our video to discover how to prepare your child for the 11 plus entrance exam

Is the 11 plus exam compulsory?

No. However, it is important to check the website of your local authority as different authorities have different regulations.

How do I know if the 11 plus exam is right for my child?

Your child will need to be academically able in order to sit these examinations. It is important to think about whether or not this is the case. Check school reports and make sure that results are generally above average, having discussions with your child’s current class teacher and asking them about their opinions and if it is realistic and achievable.

Will I need to help my child to prepare for the 11+ exam?

Yes, in one way or another. Be that by yourselves or with the support of a tutor.

It is worth starting early (some parents start as early as the beginning of year 3) because there is a lot to cover. It will be less stressful if adequate time is left in order to prepare appropriately, both for you as a parent and for your child. At this age, children are more aware of the pressures (compared to at age 6 or 7) and the main goal is to keep your child calm and serene so that they can try to perform to the best of their abilities. All children respond differently, of course, and this is where your tutor will determine the best strategy to use when working with your child. Learn more about how to prepare your child for the 11 plus exam here.

Creative Minds Tutors can prepare your child for the 11 plus exam

If you do decide that tutoring is the best course of action for you, we will help you to create an action plan with all of the elements of the curriculum that need to be covered. We will support your child and prepare them in many different ways. We will do 11+ exam papers and discuss any areas of concern and make necessary improvements. Doing a variety of 11 plus exam papers will expose the children to a wealth of vocabulary and over time this will enable them to be able to tackle any exam paper that is placed in front of them. Not only will we complete 11 plus exam papers but we will go through each incorrect answer and understand why and where we went wrong. We will constantly be learning from our mistakes and making improvements accordingly.

With over 12 years of experience, we have helped many children gain entry into some of the most selective schools in the country.

The Grammar School Admissions Process

Grammar schools are selective state-funded secondary schools that have a strong focus on academic achievement. These schools select their pupils into Year 7 by means of an academic examination called the 11+.

164 grammar schools are located in 36 English local authorities. It is not always necessary for you to live in an area with state grammar schools for your child to gain a place at one. A few grammar schools recruit from outside their catchment, while others offer boarding facilities. Most grammar schools, however, give preference to those living within their catchment areas. It is important to check this information first before applying/

As grammar school pupils are all academically selected and of similar high abilities, teachers are able to stretch and challenge their pupils further, making more effective progress in lessons than a comprehensive, mixed-ability school. Grammar schools are some of the highest performing schools listed in national league tables.

Sitting the 11+ Exam for Grammar School Entry:

The content varies between different areas of the country but will generally be based on the following areas:

English

Maths

Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning.

There are two main exam boards for the 11+ Exam:

GL Assessment
CEM
Schools in Devon, Essex, Hertfordshire, Trafford and Yorkshire use a mixture of GL and CEM.

In both GL and CEM exams, there is a strong emphasis on core skills in English and maths; including spelling, punctuation, grammar, comprehension, and vocabulary, including arithmetic skills, problem-solving, and data manipulation. Non-verbal reasoning assesses spatial awareness, pattern-spotting and logical skills.

The 11 Plus for Independent Schools Entrance Exam Process

Independent schools are schools that charge fees instead of being funded by the state. They are usually governed by an elected board of Governors and although they must be registered with the government, they do not necessarily have to follow the National Curriculum. There are around 2000 Independent Schools in the UK currently with around 8% of pupils in the UK.

Independent Schools traditionally offer smaller classes than state schools, a higher teacher to pupil ratio and good academic results. They also typically provide a wide and well organised co-curricular programme of Sport, Music, Drama, and Art. Some Independent Schools are highly selective academically, while others may specialise in Music, Theatre or Sport.

ISEB pre test

Senior Schools generally offer Pre-tests to engage with potential students at an early stage. The ISEB Pre-tests are taken in Year 6 or 7 and are set by GL Assessment. These tests are taken online so can be at the student’s current school. The format of the test is multiple choice; including English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning and take about 2 hours and a half to complete. Even if applying to multiple schools, candidates only take the tests once in an academic year and the results will be shared across all the schools applied for.

The 11+ Exam for Independent School entry, like that for Grammar School entry, usually consists of Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. However Independent Schools generally write and mark their own exams. They are set at a high Key Stage 2 SATs level, with extension questions for the more able.

For any child, the best way to prepare them for any Entrance Exam is to have as much exposure to exam questions as possible. Getting things wrong and correcting them. Teaching children early on that it is fine to get things wrong and not to get discouraged. Preparations should be as calm as possible.

It is important to look at the school’s website or contact the Admissions Office to identify the requirements for the Entrance Exam, as they are not the same for all schools. There should also be a clear awareness of the timetable for admissions, such as open days, registration deadlines, exam dates and venues.