The 11 Plus rewards children who are confident with the core skills and familiar with the style of questions they will meet. Good preparation is steady and calm, not a last-minute rush.
For parents: set up a steady routine
- Start with an assessment so you know your child's strengths and gaps
- Plan short, regular sessions across the week rather than long weekend cramming
- Check which tests your target schools use, as formats differ between areas
- Keep feedback positive and focus on effort and improvement
For students: build the core skills
- Read every day to grow vocabulary and comprehension
- Practise mental maths and times tables until they feel automatic
- Try verbal and non-verbal reasoning puzzles a little at a time
- Move from untimed accuracy practice to timed papers as the exam gets closer
In the final weeks
Use practice papers to build timing and stamina, review mistakes together, and protect sleep and downtime. A child who arrives rested and familiar with the format is in the best position to show what they know.
Looking for structured support? See our 11 Plus tuition in Harrow and online for Years 3–5.