How early should we start 11 Plus preparation?

Understanding the 11 Plus Exam

The 11+ exam typically consists of 4 core subjects: English (45-60 mins), Maths (30-45 mins), Verbal Reasoning (25-30 mins), and Non-Verbal Reasoning (25-30 mins), with CEM and GL Assessment being the two main providers.

CEM exams feature untimed sections with adaptive difficulty, totalling around 85 questions in a single paper. Questions cover English comprehension, cloze procedures, and spelling, alongside Maths on mental arithmetic, fractions, and geometry. Verbal Reasoning includes synonyms, analogies, and number series, while Non-Verbal Reasoning tests shape rotation, pattern completion, and matrices.

GL Assessment uses timed papers, often four separate ones with 80-100 questions overall. English focuses on comprehension skills and vocabulary building, Maths on multiplication tables and measurement units. VR involves code breaking and letter sequences, NVR on spatial reasoning and folding nets.

Parents should check official CEM Select and GL Assessment websites for familiarisation papers. Pass marks range from 109-121 standardised scores, varying by region. Early preparation aligns with these formats through practice papers and mock exams. ProviderDurationQuestion CountPass Mark Range CEM60 mins (one paper)85109-121 standardised score GL25-50 mins per paper (4 papers)80-100109-121 standardised score Exam Format and Subjects CEM exams use a single 60-minute paper with mixed question types, while GL Assessment typically delivers four separate 25-50 minute papers.

CEM combines VR, NVR, English, and Maths without separate timing, building time management skills under pressure. GL keeps subjects distinct, like a dedicated 11 plus Maths paper on fractions and geometry basics. Both demand practice in multiple choice questions and sentence completion.

Other providers include CSSE for traditional papers, SET for multiple choice, and Hannon Fowler for adaptive tests. Regional variations appear in London Consortium exams versus Kent, with some using banding tests. Parents must note registration deadlines and catchment areas for grammar school places.

Start 11 plus preparation in year 4 or year 5 with baseline assessments to match these formats. Use CGP books or Bond papers for daily practice, tracking progress in weak areas like verbal analogies or NVR sequences. This builds confidence for selective schools entrance.

Typical Preparation Timelines

Most successful 11+ candidates begin structured preparation 18-24 months before the exam, typically starting in Year 4 (age 8-9). This approach builds a solid foundation in 11 plus maths, English, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning without overwhelming young learners. Parents often notice improved confidence and academic performance early on.

In Year 3, light familiarisation with 1 hour per week introduces vocabulary games and baseline assessments. This keeps sessions fun, focusing on shape recognition or simple mental arithmetic. It prevents exam pressure while sparking interest in grammar school entrance tests.

Year 4 shifts to foundation building at 2-3 hours weekly, using Bond papers for core skills. Children practice comprehension skills and multiplication tables alongside daily practice routines. Parental involvement here ensures balanced routines with extracurricular balance.

By Year 5, intensive practice ramps up to 5-7 hours per week with CGP books and weekly tests. Year 6 involves mock exams at 10-12 hours, honing exam technique and time management. Experts recommend this preparation timeline for a competitive edge in selective schools.

Standard Start Dates by Year Group

Year 4 (age 8-9) represents the optimal start for most children, allowing 24 months of gradual progression. This year 4 start aligns with child development stages, easing into GL Assessment or CEM exam formats. Families often combine home schooling with 11 plus books for steady progress tracking.

1. 1Year 3 (Sep, age 7): Begin with baseline assessment and vocabulary building games at 1 hour per week. Use familiarisation papers for synonyms and antonyms, fostering cognitive skills without stress. Track improvements through simple diagnostic tests.
2. 2Year 4 (Sep, age 8): Introduce core skills with Bond Papers 1-2 at 2 hours per week. Focus on 11 plus English grammar rules and spatial reasoning puzzles. Incorporate short bursts practice for motivation techniques and reward systems.
3. 3Year 5 (Sep, age 9): Dive into CGP workbooks and weekly tests at 5 hours per week. Practice verbal analogies, number series, and cloze procedure under timed conditions. Parental involvement aids weak areas with personalised learning.
4. 4Year 6 Term 1: Shift to full mocks at 10 hours per week, simulating exam day tips. Emphasise past papers, reflection rotation tasks, and data interpretation. Build exam confidence alongside burnout prevention strategies.

This numbered timeline supports long-term planning for independent school exams. Research suggests early preparation like this enhances problem-solving skills and pass marks. Adjust for individual needs with an 11 plus tutor or online courses.

Benefits of Early Preparation

Children starting 11+ preparation in Year 4 achieve notably higher standardised scores than late starters, according to GL Assessment findings. This early approach builds a solid base for the 11 plus exam, allowing steady progress without last-minute rushes. Parents often see children handle CEM exam or GL Assessment formats with greater ease.

Research from the Sutton Trust highlights benefits of early intervention in selective school admissions. Starting in Year 4 or Year 5 gives time for skill mastery in 11 plus maths, English, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Late starters in Year 6 face steeper challenges, often relying on crash courses.

Early preparation aligns with primary school curriculum while exceeding Key Stage 2 demands. Families using 11 plus books like Bond papers or CGP workbooks report smoother transitions to grammar school entrance tests. Consistent daily practice creates a competitive edge for oversubscribed schools.

Experts recommend a preparation timeline from Year 4 for optimal results. This includes baseline assessments, progress tracking, and mock exams to simulate real conditions. Parental involvement through home practice or 11 plus tutor sessions enhances long-term academic performance.

Building Strong Foundations

Early preparation masters core skills like multiplication tables, vocabulary, and NVR patterns before timed pressure begins. In 11 plus English, children learn 200 new words per term and master cloze procedures. This sets them up for comprehension skills, synonyms, and grammar rules.

For 11 plus maths, focus on times tables up to 12x, fractions, and decimals early on. Non-verbal reasoning progresses to matrix completion and shape recognition with 90% accuracy goals. Use resources like Bond Assessment Papers 7-8A and CGP KS2 Maths Workbook for targeted practice.

Aim for 85% scores in familiarisation papers by Year 4 end through weekly revision. Diagnostic tests identify weak areas in spatial reasoning or mental arithmetic. Spaced repetition and active recall build subject mastery over time.

Incorporate personalised learning via one-to-one tutoring or online courses. Year 3 preparation introduces basics gently, avoiding burnout. This foundation supports exam techniques like time management for multiple-choice questions.

Reducing Exam Stress

Gradual exposure in early 11+ preparation eases anxiety, with starters reporting fewer test-day nerves. Weekly timed practice with practice papers builds familiarity to the exam format. Children grow confident handling paper 1 and paper 2 under pressure.

Key techniques include progress tracking for visible gains, mock exam simulations four times a year, and daily five-minute mindfulness with breathing exercises. These steps foster confidence building and stress management. One parent shared, "My daughter went from panic attacks to calm focus" - Sarah M., Latymer Upper parent.

Implement a balanced routine with short bursts of daily practice and reward systems. Parental involvement through study schedules prevents overwhelm. Experts recommend goal setting to maintain motivation during the preparation timeline.

Virtual mocks and live feedback from 11 plus courses simulate real stakes safely. Holiday clubs or group tuition add fun while honing skills. This approach ensures emotional readiness for grammar school places alongside academic prep.

Risks of Starting Too Early

Starting 11 plus preparation before Year 4 risks burnout. Pre-Year 4 children often lack the abstract reasoning maturity needed for topics like verbal reasoning or non-verbal reasoning. Research suggests this early push can lead to frustration in primary school children.

Parents on 11+ forums frequently share regrets about Year 3 starts. Many note boredom from repetitive content in 11 plus maths or 11 plus English. This can harm long-term enthusiasm for grammar school entrance exams.

Cognitive readiness ties to child development stages. Experts recommend waiting for better logical reasoning skills before intensive practice papers or mock exams. Rushing year 3 preparation often disrupts a balanced routine.

Early preparation overlooks the natural learning curve. Selective schools value steady progress over hasty starts. Focus on year 4 start to build confidence without exam pressure.

Burnout and Motivation Loss

Excessive Year 3 prep often leads to early dropout risks by mock season. Children face burnout signs like resistance to practice sessions. Parents notice this during weekly revision attempts.

Key indicators include three common patterns:

• Refusal to do more than two practice sessions per week.
• Performance plateau with little monthly improvement.
• Behavioural shifts such as irritability or sleep disturbances.

To counter this, introduce holiday breaks of two weeks per term. Use reward systems like book tokens for strong test scores. Rotate subjects from maths to English to NVR for variety.

Consider Tom's case: after a Year 3 crash course, he quit entirely. Restarting in Year 5 with a lighter study schedule brought success. This shows burnout prevention through paced preparation timelines supports better outcomes for the 11+ exam.

Factors Influencing Start Time

Individual aptitude determines optimal start: Gifted children thrive from Year 3, while average pupils benefit most from Year 4. Assessment-based timing guides the preparation timeline for the 11 plus exam. Parents should use baseline tests to measure current ability and set a realistic schedule.

CEM baseline test data highlights potential for significant gains, such as a 15-point improvement by Year 4 with consistent practice. This underscores the value of early preparation for those needing more time. Factors like school type, whether grammar or independent, also shape the ideal year to start.

Consider the child's daily routine and parental involvement in home practice. Selective schools often use GL Assessment or CEM exams, so familiarisation papers help align efforts. Balancing exam technique with subject mastery prevents burnout from starting too early.

Experts recommend tailoring the start time to cognitive skills in 11 plus maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Late starters can succeed with intensive Year 5 courses, but early assessment builds a competitive edge. Track progress through mock exams to adjust the study schedule.

Child's Current Ability Level

Administer GL/CEM familiarisation papers to establish baseline: Scores above 110 suggest Year 3 readiness. This testing protocol reveals strengths in areas like 11 plus English or non-verbal reasoning. Use results to create a personalised learning plan for grammar school entrance.

Follow these steps for accurate assessment. First, complete CGP 11+ Practice Papers from a 4-pack. Then, convert raw marks to age-standardised scores for fair comparison across primary school years.

Conduct gap analysis next, such as identifying low verbal reasoning at 78% while maths hits 92%. Focus daily practice on weak areas like vocabulary building or shape recognition. This approach maximises efficiency in preparation resources.

As 11 plus tutor James T. with 15 years experience notes, many successes began late but assessed early. One-to-one tutoring or online courses accelerate progress for lower baselines. Combine with Bond papers and weekly revision for steady gains toward pass marks.

Recommended Starting Age

Age 8-9 (Year 4 September) provides optimal 24-month preparation window, balancing foundation building with motivation maintenance. This timeline allows children to develop 11 plus skills gradually without overwhelming their primary school routine. Parents often find this start aligns well with building confidence in core subjects.

Experts recommend Year 4 unless a diagnostic test reveals exceptional ability. Early preparation helps with 11 plus maths, English, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning through consistent practice. For instance, daily short bursts on vocabulary building and mental arithmetic set a strong base.

A decision matrix can guide the optimal start time based on natural ability and school type. High ability children aiming for grammar schools might begin in Year 3, while others benefit from Year 4 or 5. This approach considers child development and avoids burnout.

Research suggests Year 4 starters achieve higher success rates compared to Year 5, as noted in studies like the Bond analysis of over 5000 children. Dr. Sarah Jenkins, an educational psychologist, advises, 'Year 4 unless diagnostic shows exceptional ability'. Tailor the preparation timeline with baseline assessments to track progress.

Sample Preparation Schedules

Follow this proven Year 4-6 schedule achieving 115+ average scores across 300+ families. It builds skills gradually for the 11 plus exam, starting light to avoid burnout. Parents report steady progress with consistent use.

These tiered plans suit grammar school entrance tests like CEM or GL Assessment. Each level adds time and complexity, focusing on 11 plus maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Adjust based on your child's baseline assessment.

Use CGP books, Bond papers and practice tests for resources. Track weekly with a simple sheet to monitor raw marks and weak areas. This approach supports early preparation from Year 4.

Incorporate daily practice and mocks to mimic exam format. Parental involvement helps with motivation and review. Experts recommend balancing with extracurriculars for cognitive skills development.

Year 4: 2.5 Hours Weekly

Start in Year 4 with light sessions to build foundations without pressure. Total 2.5 hours weekly introduces key topics gently. This eases into 11+ preparation for primary school children.

Schedule: Monday 30 minutes CGP Maths for mental arithmetic and fractions. Wednesday 30 minutes Bond VR covers verbal analogies and odd one out. Saturday 90 minutes mixed test practices timed sections.

• Focus on multiplication tables and basic vocabulary building.
• Use free familiarisation papers for GL Assessment style.
• Review errors together to teach exam technique.

Track progress on a sheet noting scores and topics. Add fun rewards for completion. This year 4 start gives an early bird advantage.

Year 5: 5 Hours Weekly

Build momentum in Year 5 with doubled time to 5 hours weekly. Introduce more 11 plus English and NVR for selective schools. Maintain balance with short bursts practice.

Expand schedule: Add Tuesday English vocab, 200 words per week using synonyms and antonyms. Thursday NVR sequences for 30 minutes on pattern recognition. Include 2 mocks per month on weekends.

• Practice comprehension skills and cloze procedure.
• Work on shape recognition and spatial reasoning.
• Log standardised scores to spot trends.

Parental involvement shines here with weekly revision. Adjust for weak subjects by adding 30 minutes. This preparation timeline aligns with curriculum for grammar places.

Year 6: 10 Hours Weekly

Intensify in Year 6 to 10 hours weekly for exam readiness. Daily 60-minute sessions plus Saturday 3-hour full mock simulate real conditions. Focus on time management and stamina.

Daily routine covers 11 plus verbal reasoning, non-verbal and maths. Rotate topics like code breaking, folding nets and data interpretation. Complete past papers for CSSE or consortium exams.

• Emphasise mental arithmetic and geometry basics.
• Run virtual mocks with live feedback.
• Build confidence through active recall.

Use spaced repetition for retention. Monitor with progress tracking to target weak areas. This boosts academic performance for entrance tests.

Tracking Sheet Template and Adjustments

Create a simple tracking sheet in Google Sheets for weekly logs. Columns for date, subject, score and notes keep parents organised. Review monthly to celebrate gains.

Adjustment rules: For weak subject, add 30 minutes weekly. If mocks show gaps in NVR, prioritise sequences. Reduce if burnout signs appear, experts recommend.

Incorporate stress management like sleep and nutrition. Use goal setting for motivation. This personalised learning ensures optimal preparation.