When should I start 11 plus preparation?

Are you thinking about applying to grammar schools for your child? You might be wondering when is the best time to start with 11 plus exam preparation.

At Atom Learning, we've helped tens of thousands of families prepare for 11 plus exams. Here are our top tips to help structure your child's revision. Learn how to help them feel confident, well-prepared, and ready to excel!

Key takeaways:

• Find out what subjects your child will be tested on to help build a study schedule.

• Start preparing as early as possible (more than a year in advance), especially if your child's exam tests verbal reasoning and/or non-verbal reasoning.

• A little-and-often approach (20–30 minutes, a few times a week) is best for long-term success.

Know what’s on the exam

Understanding what is tested on your child's exam is necessary to help you establish a learning routine.

Grammar school 11 plus exams assess a combination of the following subjects. Most schools test at least two subjects, while some test all four.

• English: most 11 plus exams test reading comprehension. Some test creative writing.
• Maths: 11 plus maths assesses the topics your child will have learned in school from Years 3–6.
• Verbal reasoning: this tests your child's ability to analyse and solve problems with written information, such as letters and words.
• Non-verbal reasoning: in contrast to verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning tests your child's ability to apply logic and solve problems with visual information, such as shapes and diagrams.

Not sure what subjects your target grammar school will test? We've got you covered. Find out everything you need to know about the exam and admissions process for your local grammar school.

Get started early

Slow and steady wins the race. The earlier you introduce your child to 11 plus content, the better.

Grammar school exams can be very competitive. Your child will have the best chance of success if they have built their knowledge and ability over a longer period of time. Revising in short bursts closer to the exam, known as 'cramming', can have negative effects. Not only is it overwhelming for children, but it doesn't allow them to store knowledge effectively in long-term memory.

Early, regular consolidation in English and maths will help your child build knowledge and confidence. We recommend introducing 10 minutes of English and maths practice at home a few times a week from Year 3. Once your child has established this habit, you can increase the length of their practice time.

Many 11 plus exams test reasoning. This is not taught on the national curriculum, so these types of questions might be unfamiliar to your child. Learning how to answer reasoning questions takes time and practice, and revision should be spread out over a longer period.

Bitesize learning is best

Bitesize learning, or learning 'little and often', is the best approach for 11 plus preparation. This style of revision can help:

• Retention: studying in short but regular sessions helps your child to retain knowledge and recall it at a later date.
• Engagement: long study sessions aren't enjoyable (or productive) for children. Learning little and often can help your child stay focused and engaged on their learning.

As a guide, psychologists recommend that children aged 9–11 are most focused in sessions of 20–30 minutes.

Get into a good routine

Preparing for 11 plus exams can be challenging for the whole family. We know that balancing other responsibilities while supporting your child can be difficult.

Getting your child used to a revision routine is beneficial for everyone. 20–30 minute study sessions a few times a week are a good place to start. Make sure to balance learning and revision with time for hobbies and relaxation too. If your child understands and agrees to expectations and rewards early, you can lay the foundations for a happy household and exam success!