How many hours a week should my child study for 11 Plus?

Understanding the 11 Plus Exam

The 11 Plus exam tests Year 5/6 children for grammar and independent school entry through four core subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Providers like GL Assessment and CEM set the formats. GL Assessment serves many UK grammar schools, while CEM comes from Cambridge Assessment.

Exams typically run 60 minutes per paper. CEM often includes 50 maths questions in longer passages, while GL uses multiple choice with 80 verbal reasoning items. Pass marks range from 110-121 scaled scores, depending on the region and school.

Question types vary by provider. For example, CEM focuses on speed with mixed topics, and GL emphasises separate sections. Parents should check school-specific formats for 11 Plus preparation.

Understanding these differences helps build a child study schedule. Familiarise your child with practice papers from both to improve exam readiness and confidence.

Core Subjects Covered

English (around 40%) tests comprehension via 30-40 questions on passage inference. Children read texts and answer why a character acted a certain way. Maths covers arithmetic (most focus), geometry, and fractions with 45 timed problems.

Verbal Reasoning involves synonyms, letter sequences, and sentence completion. Non-Verbal Reasoning tests pattern rotation and shape sequences. These build logic skills essential for selective schools.

GL exams are often multiple choice, while CEM uses longer passages. Tailor weekly study time to these, with more maths practice for arithmetic and English comprehension for inference.

Factors Influencing Study Hours

Optimal 11 Plus study hours vary from 8-20 weekly based on three key factors: starting ability (baseline score), months remaining, and regional competition. Use this personalised calculation formula: Base Hours (10) × Ability Gap Factor (0.8-1.5) × Time Pressure Multiplier (1-2). Bond 11+ research indicates students starting below 70th percentile need 50% more hours for effective preparation.

Start with a baseline assessment like CGP 11+ Baseline Test to measure your child's percentile. Adjust hours based on their score against the pass mark. This ensures a tailored approach to 11 Plus preparation.

Consider regional differences, such as higher competition in Buckinghamshire grammar schools. Factor in CEM exam or GL Assessment formats. Experts recommend balancing quantity of study with quality for optimal results.

Track progress weekly using a study log and adjust the formula as scores improve. Include breaks to prevent burnout. This method supports long-term academic performance without overwhelming your child.

Child's Current Ability Level

Begin with CGP 11+ Baseline Test (free download) to establish percentile: below 50th percentile needs 15-20 hours/week; 70th+ percentile needs 8-10 hours. This sets the foundation for a personalised study plan. Focus on gap analysis to target weak areas like maths or verbal reasoning.

Use this assessment table to guide weekly study time.

Specific tools include CGP Baseline Papers and Bond Assessment Papers. For example, Tommy scored 45th percentile, added 6hrs Maths = +25 points in 12 weeks through daily drills.

Monitor with practice papers and adjust for subjects like English comprehension or non-verbal reasoning. Gifted children may need less volume but more challenge. SEN support, like dyslexia strategies, can optimise study efficiency.

Time Until Exam Date

12+ months out: 8-10 hours/week sustainable; 6 months: 12-15 hours; <3 months: 18-22 hours intensive phase. Build a steady study routine to match the timeline. This prevents underpreparation dangers while avoiding overstudy risks.

Use this timeline chart for planning.

Buckinghamshire 11+ data shows late starters (Oct start) averaged 15% lower pass rates. Create a countdown planner: 'Week 1 of 24: Complete Bond Maths Book 1'. Integrate school homework and weekend intensives.

Include study breaks, exercise benefits, and sleep importance for balanced routine. Use morning study for peak learning hours and evening revision. Adjust for holidays with focused revision to maintain momentum.

Recommended Weekly Study Hours

Most experts recommend 11-14 hours weekly total for balanced 11 Plus prep, increasing to 18-22 hours in the final term per GL Assessment guidelines. Tutor consensus from The 11 Plus Forum, with over 5,000 members, points to an average of 12 hours weekly linked to strong pass rates. This breakdown typically allocates 40% to Maths, 30% to English, 20% to Reasoning, and 10% to mocks.

Parents often ask about optimal study hours to avoid burnout while building exam readiness. A structured weekly study time ensures quality over quantity, focusing on practice papers and technique. Tailor the schedule to your child's learning capacity, starting with shorter sessions for a 10-year-old in Year 5.

During term time, integrate 11 Plus preparation with school homework for efficiency. Experts suggest study breaks every 45 minutes to maintain focus, alongside sleep and exercise for brain health. Track progress with a simple study log to adjust the routine.

For grammar school or independent school entry, balance subject breakdown with mock exams to simulate the real test. This approach supports academic performance without overwhelming family life. Parental guidance helps set realistic expectations throughout the 11 Plus journey.

Early Preparation Phase

Year 5 (12+ months out): 10 hours/week focusing 4hrs Maths (Bond Book 1), 3hrs English (CGP comprehension), 2hrs VR basics, 1hr NVR patterns. This age-appropriate study builds foundations without pressure. Start with fun activities to spark interest in the entrance exam.

Follow this numbered weekly plan for consistency:

1. 1Mon/Wed/Fri: 45min Maths practice using arithmetic flashcards.
2. 2Tue/Thu: 40min English vocab targeting 100 words per month.
3. 3Sat: 90min reasoning puzzles like logic games.
4. 4Track everything via a simple Google Sheets log for weekly review.

Tools like Bond 11+ Starters and the free Elevenses numeracy app make sessions engaging. Encourage a quiet study space free from distractions. Reward progress with family time to boost motivation.

Monitor for signs of fatigue and adjust as needed. This phase emphasises vocabulary building, basic verbal reasoning, and non-verbal patterns. Holiday revision can add light group activities for peer learning.

Intensive Revision Phase

Final 12 weeks: 20 hours/week with 6hrs timed mocks (GL Papers 1-4), 5hrs weak area drills, 4hrs technique (pacing: 1min/question). Ramp up study intensity to match exam conditions for CEM or GL Assessment tests. Prioritise speed and accuracy in maths test and English comprehension.

Use this daily breakdown table for a clear revision schedule:

Incorporate pacing strategy: skip after 45sec, flag for review. Tools such as Exam Ninja 11+ Papers and PreTest app aid mock exams. Practice data interpretation and spatial reasoning daily.

Prevent burnout with balanced routine including exercise and nutrition for brain health. Weekly reviews track percentile rankings and target scores. Adjust for school-specific prep or interview practice as needed.

Age-Appropriate Study Guidelines

10-year-olds max 2-hour daily sessions (25min Pomodoro × 4) with research suggesting 90min peak focus before retention drops. For 11 Plus preparation, children aged 9-10 thrive on short, structured bursts rather than long marathons. This approach builds study efficiency without fatigue.

Use 25min study + 5min break cycles, capping at 90min per day for primary-aged kids. Experts recommend this for optimal learning capacity during Year 5 study and early Year 6 study. Parents can track progress with a simple study log to ensure balance.

Sleep plays a key role, with children needing at least 10 hours per night to support memory consolidation. Pair this with nutrition for brain health, such as omega-3 rich foods like salmon or walnuts. A balanced routine prevents burnout in 11 Plus exam prep.

Integrate this into a child study schedule with weekly study time of 11-14 hours spread across days. Focus on quality study time over quantity for grammar school or independent school entrance.

Balancing Study with Schoolwork

Integrate 11+ prep into 1hr daily homework slot: 30min schoolwork + 30min 11+ weak subject, keeping total screen-free study under 2.5hrs/day. This approach ensures school homework comes first with the strict rule of no 11+ before homework complete. It builds a balanced routine without overwhelming your child.

A sample integration schedule works well for many families. Start with school homework (45min), follow with 11+ targeted practice (30min same subject), then take a dinner break. Finish with 20min VR app for light verbal reasoning or puzzle solving.

Weekends need a 3hr cap to prevent burnout. Focus on practice papers or mock exams in maths test or English test areas. Research suggests balanced students perform better, aligning with Sutton Trust insights on steady academic progress.

Parental guidance helps enforce this study routine. Track progress with a simple study log to monitor weekly study time. Adjust based on your child's energy levels and school demands for optimal 11 Plus preparation.

Risks of Overstudying

Over 20 hours a week of 11 Plus preparation can lead to serious issues. Parents often push for long weekly study time to boost exam readiness, but this risks harming a child's wellbeing. Experts recommend balancing study intensity with rest for optimal results.

Research suggests excessive study duration correlates with higher burnout in year 5 and year 6 students. Children facing intense 11 Plus study hours may show signs of fatigue during maths practice or verbal reasoning sessions. A tailored approach prevents these pitfalls in grammar school preparation.

Common problems include reduced focus in English comprehension tasks and slower progress in non-verbal reasoning. Overstudying disrupts the child study schedule, leading to frustration. Parental guidance helps spot early warning signs like irritability after practice papers.

To counter this, integrate study breaks and monitor progress with a study tracker. Adjust the revision schedule based on mock exam performance. This ensures academic performance improves without sacrificing mental health.

Burnout

Prolonged 11 Plus tutoring sessions often cause burnout in young learners. Children may lose enthusiasm for puzzle solving or fraction practice after too many hours. Watch for exhaustion during daily study routines.

Symptoms include reluctance to tackle arithmetic problems or geometry basics. This affects overall exam preparation for CEM or GL Assessment tests. A balanced routine with hobby time restores energy.

Encourage short, focused study periods to build confidence. Incorporate family support through reward systems after completing Bond papers. Regular weekly reviews help maintain motivation.

Diminishing Returns

Beyond optimal study hours, extra time yields little gain in skills like vocabulary building. Diminishing returns set in, making long sessions inefficient for speed practice or accuracy improvement. Prioritise quality study time over quantity.

For a 10 year old, morning study works best for peak learning. Evening revision suits lighter tasks like flashcards. Track effectiveness to refine the timetable creation process.

Use gap analysis from baseline assessments to focus efforts. This boosts study efficiency in maths test and English test prep. Avoid weekend intensives that overload the schedule.

Sleep Deficit

Intense 11 Plus preparation often cuts into sleep, harming cognition. A sleep deficit reduces learning capacity for data interpretation or sentence completion. Aim for consistent bedtimes in the child study schedule.

Experts recommend tracking sleep to support brain function during logic puzzles. Poor rest slows progress in spatial reasoning or comprehension skills. Combine with exercise benefits for better focus.

Set screen time limits and nutrition for brain health. This enhances exam technique and pacing strategies. A rested child performs better in mock exams.

Motivation Crash

Overstudy risks a motivation crash, where children dread entrance exam practice. They may avoid practice papers or group activities. Intrinsic motivation fades without enjoyment in learning.

Reignite interest with peer learning or study groups. Short-term goals and progress monitoring rebuild drive. Parental involvement through realistic expectations helps.

Solutions to Prevent Overstudying

Schedule weekly fun activities for one hour to counter risks. Options like sports time or family outings refresh the mind after revision schedules. This supports a balanced lifestyle.

Use sleep tracking apps to monitor rest patterns. Create a stress signals checklist for early detection of fatigue. Adjust the study plan flexibly based on weekly reviews.

• Plan study breaks every 45 minutes during focused study.
• Incorporate exercise benefits and nutrition for sustained energy.
• Build a reward system for completing CGP guides or 11 Plus books.
• Ensure distraction-free quiet study space for maximum efficiency.

These steps promote burnout prevention and long-term 11 Plus success. Tailor to individual needs, like SEN support or gifted child plans. Monitor with a study log for ROI on study time.

Sample Weekly Study Schedules

A Year 5 average ability child might follow a 12 hours per week plan. This includes Mon/Wed/Fri 75min for Maths + English, Tue/Thu 60min for Reasoning, Sat 2hr mixed practice, and Sun rest. Such a balanced routine builds exam readiness without overload.

Customise schedules by ability level using tiered tables below. Beginners focus on basics like vocabulary building and arithmetic problems. Intermediates add speed practice, while advanced levels emphasise mock exams and exam technique.

Track progress with tools like Google Sheets featuring auto percentile calculators or the free MyStudyLife app. Parents can print PDF templates for timetables to monitor weekly study time. Include study breaks every 25 minutes to maintain focus.

Holiday intensives boost preparation with +4hrs on Sat/Sun for mocks. Integrate school homework and limit screen time. This study plan supports 11 Plus success across GL Assessment or CEM exam formats.

Beginner Level (6-8 hours/week)

Ideal for Year 5 children starting 11 Plus preparation with limited prior exposure. Focus on building confidence through short, daily sessions. Aim for consistent practice in core areas like English comprehension and basic maths.

Use a quiet study space free from distractions. Reward completion with small treats to foster motivation. Adjust based on progress monitoring for grammar school readiness.

Intermediate Level (10-12 hours/week)

Suited to children with some familiarity in 11 Plus subjects. Increase duration for deeper practice in verbal reasoning and maths tests. Incorporate puzzle solving to improve accuracy.

Combine with parental guidance for weekly reviews. Ensure exercise and sleep for brain health. This level prepares for selective school competition.

Advanced Level (14+ hours/week)

For high ability Year 6 pupils targeting top scores in entrance exams. Emphasise timed mocks, logic puzzles, and pacing strategies. Monitor for burnout with rest days.

Incorporate 11 Plus tutoring for feedback. Use CGP guides or Bond papers for resources. Balance with hobbies for wellbeing.