How to fill in 11+ answer sheets correctly: a step-by-step guide for parents

Preparing for the 11+ exams can feel overwhelming, but building familiarity with the answer sheet format can make a world of difference to your child's confidence and success.

In this quick guide, we explain exactly how to complete an 11+ answer sheet correctly and how you can support your child with realistic practice at home.

What is the format of the 11+ exam paper?

For many grammar school 11+ exams, including GL Assessment, children are given a separate question booklet and multiple-choice answer sheet to complete during the exam.

Understanding this format is crucial. Helping your child feel confident about what to expect can remove unnecessary stress on the day.

1. The question booklet

• Includes all the test questions.

• Provides space around each question for working out.

• Contains an instruction page with information about the test, what equipment is needed, and how to record answers.

Your child’s question booklet will look like this:

Pictured: a downloadable 11+ practice paper and answer sheets available to Exam Prep Plus subscribers on Atom Home.

Instructions are on the front of the booklet, which your child must read before starting the test. In the real exam, an invigilator will read these instructions out loud, so that all children in the room can follow along.

Once your child has read through this front page and is ready to begin the test, the first set of questions will be on the next page.

As you will see from the example included below, there is plenty of room around each question for your child to do any required working out.

Pictured: an example question page from an 11+ practice paper available to Exam Prep Plus subscribers on Atom Home.

2. The multiple-choice answer sheet

Most grammar school 11+ exams are multiple-choice. In these exams, your child will receive a separate answer sheet, which:

• Lists question numbers alongside multiple answer options.

• Requires children to mark their chosen answer with a clear horizontal line.

When they’re ready to select their answer, your child will use a separate answer sheet that looks like this:

Pictured: an example answer sheet from an 11+ practice paper available to Exam Prep Plus subscribers on Atom Home.

Your child’s name and details appear at the top of the answer sheet. Underneath, they’ll see the full list of questions with several answer choices for each one. To select an answer, your child will need to clearly and carefully draw a horizontal line through the box with a pencil.

Filling in an 11+ answer sheet: what your child needs to know

Unfortunately, mistakes on answer sheets can result in lost marks, even if your child knows the correct answer. It’s helpful for your child to take time to familiarise themselves with the requirements for the 11+ answer sheet.

In the final months before the exam, using Atom’s unlimited printable 11+ practice papers and answer sheets is a helpful way to build confidence with the real format. To get the most out of them, wait until your child is familiar with the 11+ curriculum and can effectively test their knowledge with these papers.

How to fill in answer sheets correctly

• Draw a horizontal line through the chosen answer.

• Make sure the line is neat and inside the correct box.

Pictured: examples of the correct way to fill in an 11+ answer sheet.

Your child will receive these instructions again on the exam day. They will see a sentence like this in the instructions on their test booklet:

Many 11+ exam papers are marked using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) technology. This means a scanner, not a human, marks your child’s answers. If the scanner can’t detect a marked answer with a horizontal line, it won’t count. That’s a lost mark, even if your child knew the correct answer.

It’s a small detail, but one that can make a big difference.

That’s why Atom’s printable practice papers use the same style answer sheets your child will see in the real exam. With regular practice, marking answers becomes second nature, reducing the risk of avoidable mistakes on the day.

To give you extra peace of mind, our new Answer Scanner lets you upload a photo of your child’s completed answer sheet and get instant results. It uses the same technology as real OMR scanners. If our system can’t read your child’s answer, the real one probably won’t either, giving you a chance to correct your child’s technique early on.

A little practice now can go a long way in protecting every hard-earned mark later.

Mistakes to avoid on the answer sheet

• Circling or shading the answer.

• Drawing diagonal, vertical, or incomplete lines.

• Marking multiple answers for one question (unless the question states that your child should select two or more answers).

Pictured: examples of some of the incorrect ways to fill in an 11+ answer sheet.

One of the best ways to prevent your child from making avoidable mistakes is to practise regularly with authentic 11+ style answer sheets.

Atom’s unlimited printable papers and answer sheets allow your child to build good exam habits, grow in confidence and reduce errors on test day!

What does my child do if they need to change their answer?

Mistakes happen! If your child changes their mind:

• Rub out the original answer completely.

• Mark the new choice with a clear horizontal line.

For this reason, a pencil and a good eraser are essential equipment for your child to bring to exam day.

Top tips to ensure that your child uses their answer sheet correctly

1. Learn how to note answers correctly

Before your child even begins answering 11+ questions, it’s essential that they learn the format for marking their answers correctly.

Atom’s new Answer Scanner is a fantastic tool to help your child practise filling in their answer sheets correctly. Our Answer Scanner mimics the same technology used to mark the 11+ exam papers. You can upload photos of completed answer sheets and receive instant feedback.

This is an excellent way to check whether your child is correctly filling in their answer sheets.

2. Check the answers match the question

A common mistake in the 11+ is children knowing the correct answer to a question, but marking it incorrectly on the answer sheet.

When children are rushing or not paying close attention, it’s easy to fill in an answer for the wrong question number accidentally. Unfortunately, this kind of slip-up can cost valuable marks.

That’s why your child must check they’re marking answers on the correct line as they go. Encourage them to stay calm, keep track of their place, and double-check numbers regularly throughout the paper. Accuracy matters just as much as speed.

Atom’s mock tests are perfect for practising this under timed conditions.

Pictured: an example 11+ question alongside the corresponding section of the answer sheet, where your child will record their answer.

3. Remember where to write answers

It might sound obvious, but it’s an easy mistake. Your child must write their answers on the answer sheet, not the question booklet.

In most 11+ exams, the question booklet is disposed of after the test. So if answers are written there by mistake, they won’t be marked, and unfortunately, your child could lose every mark on the paper.

The best way to avoid this is to make sure your child is confident with the 11+ format well before exam day. Practising with Atom’s unlimited practice papers helps reinforce these habits in a low-pressure environment.

4. Use the question booklet for rough work

Your child can (and should!) use their question booklet for any workings out, notes, or annotations during the 11+ exam. It won’t be marked and is removed after the test, so it’s the perfect space for rough work.

However, your child must keep their answer sheet clean and clear. Scribbles or notes on the answer sheet can confuse the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR), and answers may not be recognised.

Encourage your child to practise this format at home using Atom’s printable 11+ practice papers, so it becomes second nature before exam day.

5. Limit time spent on example questions

At the start of most 11+ exams, your child will be given a few example questions to work through. These questions are there to help them settle in, get used to the format, and feel confident before the real questions begin.

While these warm-up questions are helpful, it’s worth reminding your child not to linger on them for too long. A quick scan is all they need, and then they can move on, focused and ready.

Practising this kind of time management is just as crucial as content revision. Atom’s adaptive learning platform helps your child build strong exam technique, so they know how to stay focused and make the most of every minute.

Watch: Master 11 Plus Answer Sheets in 4 Minutes

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