Need Help with 11+ Exam Prep for 2025? Here’s How to Start Strong

You’ve probably just discovered that your child needs to take the 11+ for their target grammar school. Maybe you’ve been comparing notes with other parents and realised some families started preparing two years ago. Perhaps you’ve looked at sample papers and thought “my child hasn’t learned half of this.”

Here’s what many parents don’t realise: the timing of when you start matters less than how you prepare. The families who succeed aren’t necessarily the ones who started earliest – they’re the ones who prepared most effectively.

How difficult is the 11+ exam?

The 11+ is intentionally challenging, but understanding the difficulty level helps set realistic expectations and preparation goals.

Designed for top performers: The exam aims to identify children working at the highest ability range in their year group. Even children achieving “Greater Depth” at school can find sections challenging.

Beyond current curriculum: Questions often test Year 6 content that hasn’t been taught yet, assessing how well children apply problem-solving skills to unfamiliar situations.

Individual variation: Different children find different sections more challenging. Strong readers might excel at English but struggle with Non-Verbal Reasoning, whilst mathematically minded children might find the reverse.

Preparation makes a difference: The “little and often” approach with quality practice materials can make the exam feel significantly more manageable.

What makes a good 11+ score?

Score requirements vary significantly between schools and depend on factors beyond your child’s performance.

School-specific standards: Each grammar school sets its own pass mark based on the number of places available and the strength of that year’s applicants.

Standardised Age Scores: Scores are typically given as SAS (Standardised Age Scores), with 100 representing average performance for the age group.

Competitive variation: Popular schools in areas with many applicants often require higher scores than schools with fewer applicants relative to places.

Multiple factors: Some schools consider additional factors beyond test scores, such as catchment area priority or sibling connections.

Rather than focusing on specific score targets, concentrate on helping your child perform to their personal best through thorough preparation.

Is it too late to start 11+ prep?

This worry keeps many parents awake at night. You hear stories of families starting 11+ prep in Year 4, hiring tutors for years, and you wonder if your child can possibly compete.

The truth is more encouraging than you might think. Grammar schools aren’t looking for children who’ve memorised the most practice papers. They want to identify genuine academic potential and problem-solving ability.

What matters is understanding exactly what your child will face and preparing them systematically. A focused, well-structured approach starting now can be far more effective than years of unfocused preparation.

What’s on the 11+ exam?

Understanding the 11+ format is crucial for effective preparation. The exam isn’t like typical school tests – it’s designed to assess both knowledge and academic potential under time pressure.

Important: Not all schools test all subjects. Your child’s specific exam depends on their target grammar schools. Some schools belong to consortiums using the same test, whilst others have unique requirements.

What format is the 11+ exam?

Understanding the exam format helps remove anxiety and allows for better preparation. Most 11+ exams use a standardised approach that’s quite different from typical school tests.

Paper-based testing: Many grammar schools use standardised tests, with some using GL Assessment formats. Your child receives a question booklet and separate answer sheets.

Multiple-choice format: For each question, your child shades the correct option on their answer sheet. It’s crucial they read questions carefully, as some require one answer whilst others need two.

Optical Mark Recognition (OMR): Technology scans your child’s answer sheets after the exam, so clear, accurate shading is essential. Messy or unclear marking can cost marks even if the answer is correct.

Creative writing exception: If the exam includes creative writing, your child will write longer responses in the question booklet. These are marked by teachers rather than machines.

How long is the 11+ exam?

Timing varies between schools, but most follow a similar structure that’s manageable for Year 6 children.

Individual papers: Each paper typically lasts 45-60 minutes, including a few minutes for practice questions that help children settle into the exam format.

Total exam time: Most grammar schools set two or three papers, usually taken on the same day with short breaks between them. Some schools spread papers across different days.

Question approach: Tests are designed to assess both knowledge and ability to work efficiently under time pressure.

The timing is designed to test both knowledge and ability to work efficiently under mild pressure – similar to what children will experience in secondary school.

Who can take the 11+ exam?

Eligibility isn’t just about age – location and school-specific requirements matter significantly.

Age requirements: Children take the exam in Year 6 when they’re 10 or 11 years old, applying for Year 7 entry the following September.

Catchment areas: Many grammar schools have strict geographical requirements. Even if your child passes the exam, they may not be offered a place if you live outside the catchment area.

Registration requirements: You must register your child for each school’s exam. Registration periods vary – some open and close in Year 5, others not until the summer before the exam.

Multiple applications: If schools belong to the same consortium, one registration may cover multiple schools. For schools outside consortiums, separate registrations are required.

How do I register for the 11+ exam?

Registration is often more complex than parents expect, with strict deadlines that vary significantly between schools.

Supplementary Information Forms (SIF): Most schools require detailed registration forms including your child’s personal details, current school, and your contact information.

School-specific deadlines: Mark registration deadlines in your calendar immediately. Missing a deadline typically means missing that year’s opportunity entirely.

Consortium advantages: Schools in the same consortium often share registration processes, simplifying applications to multiple schools.

Documentation: Have your child’s birth certificate, proof of address, and current school details ready when completing registration forms.

When do 11+ results come out?

Results timing is designed to fit within the secondary school application process, but can feel nerve-wracking for families.

October release: Results typically arrive in October of Year 6, before secondary school application deadlines.

Email notification: Most schools email results directly to parents rather than posting letters, allowing for faster communication.

Eligibility vs. scores: You’ll usually receive an “eligible” or “not eligible” result rather than detailed score breakdowns, though this varies by school.

Next steps: If your child achieves an eligible score, you can then include that grammar school on your secondary school application form through your local authority.

How is the 11+ exam marked?

Understanding the marking process helps explain why preparation strategies matter and why some children perform differently than expected.

Raw scoring: Your child first receives marks for correct answers in each subject section, with different sections scored separately.

Age standardisation: Raw scores are then adjusted based on your child’s exact age (measured in years and months) to ensure fairness between children born at different times in the school year.

Standardised Age Score (SAS): The final score used for comparison is age-adjusted, meaning younger children in the year aren’t disadvantaged compared to older peers.

School-specific weighting: Some schools give different subjects varying importance (such as prioritising English), whilst others average across all sections.

Each school’s admissions policy explains their specific marking approach, making it worth checking the details for your target schools.

How do we prepare effectively?

Effective 11+ preparation isn’t about cramming – it’s about building skills systematically whilst addressing knowledge gaps efficiently. Here’s what actually works:

Start with Diagnostic Assessment

Before diving into practice papers, understand exactly where your child stands. Which areas need the most work? Are they comfortable with time pressure? Do they understand question formats?

A proper assessment reveals whether your child needs foundational work in reasoning skills or just familiarity with exam techniques. This prevents wasted time on areas they’ve already mastered.

Focus on Understanding, Not Memorisation

The 11+ tests problem-solving ability. Children who’ve memorised question types often struggle when faced with unfamiliar formats. Instead, focus on developing underlying skills:

• Reading comprehension: Understanding complex texts quickly and accurately
• Mathematical reasoning: Applying concepts to solve novel problems
• Pattern recognition: Spotting logical relationships in verbal and non-verbal contexts
• Time management: Working efficiently under pressure

Build Exam Confidence Gradually

Many capable children underperform because they’re overwhelmed by exam conditions. Regular practice with timed papers helps, but the key is building confidence in their problem-solving approach.

Children who feel confident in their method can tackle unfamiliar questions calmly. Those who’ve only memorised patterns panic when they see something new.

What do successful 11+ students do differently?

Successful 11+ candidates share certain preparation characteristics. Understanding these patterns can transform your approach:

Can late starters still succeed?

This question reflects every parent’s deepest worry about 11+ preparation. The answer depends on understanding what early starters actually achieve – and what they often miss.

Families who start very early often spend considerable time on general enrichment rather than focused exam preparation. They might read widely, practice basic reasoning, and build confidence – all valuable, but not necessarily exam-specific.

In contrast, focused preparation starting now can be remarkably efficient. Your child has more mature problem-solving skills than younger children. They can grasp concepts more quickly and sustain concentration for longer periods.

The key advantage of starting now is precision. You know exactly when the exam is, which schools you’re targeting, and what specific skills need development. This clarity allows for highly targeted preparation.

How our tutors help with 11+ prep

Intensive 11+ preparation requires expertise that goes beyond standard tutoring. Our tutors understand both the academic content and the psychology of high-stakes testing.

Mark achieved a Double First in History from the University of Cambridge and has over 3,000 hours of tutoring experience. He’s supported students through entrance exams for leading schools including Eton, Harrow, Winchester, and St Paul’s. Mark specialises in building both academic skills and exam confidence systematically.

Olivia studied History of Art at St John’s College, Cambridge, graduating with a 2:1 and achieving a First in her dissertation. She has extensive experience with 11+ preparation and understands how to help students develop the analytical thinking skills that grammar schools value.

Wynn holds a First Class degree in Human, Social and Political Sciences from Cambridge. He works extensively with 11+ and 13+ entrance exams, helping students master both verbal reasoning and mathematical problem-solving with his patient, adaptable approach.

Our tutors focus on developing understanding rather than teaching to the test. They help students build genuine problem-solving confidence that serves them well beyond the 11+ exam.

Your 11+ preparation action plan

Start with School Research – Identify your target grammar schools and their specific 11+ requirements. Different schools test different combinations of subjects, and some belong to consortiums with shared exams.

Get Diagnostic Assessment – Understand your child’s current level across all tested areas. This prevents wasted time on areas they’ve mastered and identifies priority development areas.

Create a Realistic Timeline – Most 11+ exams take place in September of Year 6. Work backwards to create a preparation schedule that builds skills progressively without overwhelming your child.

Focus on Reasoning Skills Early – If your child hasn’t encountered verbal or non-verbal reasoning, start here. These skills take time to develop and form a significant portion of most tests.

Practice Under Exam Conditions – Once foundational skills are solid, regular timed practice helps build the fluency and confidence needed for exam success.

The 11+ journey doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right approach and expert support, your child can develop both the skills and confidence needed for grammar school success.

Experience the Greenhill Academics Difference

Our 11+ tutors don’t just teach exam technique – they develop the analytical thinking and problem-solving confidence that grammar schools actually value. We understand the pressure families face and provide both academic excellence and genuine support throughout the preparation journey.

We specialise in helping students who need to prepare efficiently and effectively, building the skills that matter most for 11+ success whilst keeping the experience positive and confidence-building.

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