If you're reading this, your child is probably in Year 5 or Year 6, and somewhere in the last few months "the 11+" has gone from a phrase other parents mentioned to something you actually need to understand. This guide covers what the exam is, what it tests, when to start preparing, how much time is realistic, and how to choose the right kind of support, without the anxiety-inducing tone a lot of 11+ content leans on.
What is the 11+?
The 11+ is an entrance exam used by grammar schools and some independent schools across parts of England to select pupils for Year 7 entry. It isn't a single national exam. Different areas use different exam boards and formats, which is one of the most confusing parts for parents new to the process. Always confirm which format your local authority or target schools use.
Most 11+ exams test some combination of:
- English: comprehension, vocabulary, and sometimes creative writing
- Maths: arithmetic, reasoning, and problem-solving at a level slightly ahead of the standard Year 6 curriculum
- Verbal Reasoning: word-based logic and pattern problems
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: shape, sequence, and spatial-pattern problems
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning are usually the two subjects children have had the least classroom exposure to, since neither is a standard part of the National Curriculum. That is why they usually take the most dedicated practice.
When should you start 11+ preparation?
There's no single right answer, but here's a practical framework:
- Year 4 / early Year 5: light, low-pressure exposure. A puzzle book, the occasional practice question, nothing formal. The goal here is familiarity, not performance.
- Year 5 (main prep year): this is when most structured preparation actually starts. Regular, short sessions (20 to 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week) beat occasional long sessions for building both skill and stamina.
- Year 6, run-up to the exam: focused practice on identified weak topics, timed practice papers, and tapering off close to the exam date to avoid burnout.
Starting too early risks losing your child's interest before it matters. Starting too late leaves real knowledge gaps unaddressed. If your child is in Year 5 and hasn't started yet, you have time. This isn't a race that's already lost.
How many hours a week is actually useful?
More isn't automatically better. Usability research on children of this age suggests focused attention often holds for around 8 to 12 minutes before it drops off, which is one reason shorter, more frequent sessions tend to work better than long weekend cramming blocks. A realistic weekly target during the main prep year is 2 to 3 hours in total, split across several short sessions rather than one long one.
Choosing the right kind of support
Broadly, parents choose between three approaches, often blended:
- Self-directed practice: workbooks and practice papers, parent-led. The lowest cost, but it demands the most parent time, and it is hard to adapt to your child's specific gaps without manually marking and analysing every attempt.
- Human tutoring: one-to-one or small-group sessions with a tutor. Personalised and reassuring, but the highest-cost option. Most UK private tutors charge between £30 and £50 an hour, with an average of around £35 to £40 (TutorCruncher, Average Tutoring Rates UK 2026). Scheduling around a tutor's availability adds friction.
- Adaptive digital tutoring: software that adjusts question difficulty and topic focus to your child's actual performance, available whenever your child has time rather than on a fixed weekly slot. This is a newer category, and the right fit depends on how comfortable your child is working somewhat independently on a screen with parental oversight.
None of these is objectively "best". The right choice depends on your child's learning style, your budget, and how much time you have to be hands-on. Many families blend approaches: adaptive practice for daily reps, with a human tutor or parent stepping in periodically to work through anything that turns out to be a genuine sticking point rather than a slip. Our guide to 11+ tutoring costs has a fuller comparison.
What the exam does and doesn't measure
It's worth saying plainly: the 11+ measures performance on a specific exam format on a specific day, under exam conditions. It does not measure a child's overall intelligence, potential, or worth, and a disappointing result says more about a specific gap in exam-specific technique than about your child as a learner. Keeping this framing in front of your child (not just yourself) tends to matter more for their confidence than any amount of extra practice.
A realistic checklist
- Confirm which exam board and format your local authority or target schools actually use, because this changes what to practise
- Identify real subject weaknesses through a proper diagnostic, not a guess
- Build a short, consistent practice routine rather than occasional long sessions
- Revisit the plan every few weeks as your child's strengths shift
- Keep the emotional tone calm. Test anxiety can affect performance, so a relaxed run-up matters as much as content coverage
Related guides
- The Kent Test: Dates, Registration and Results
- 11+ Tutoring Costs: What Parents Actually Pay
- Is It Safe to Use AI for Children's Education?
This guide is general information for parents and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in partnership with GL Assessment, CEM/Durham University, ISEB, or any local authority or grammar-school admissions body.