UK Entrance Exams
11+ Exam Preparation — Expert Tutoring for Grammar School Entry
The 11+ is one of the most competitive exams in the UK. Our specialist tutors prepare children thoroughly — building skills, confidence, and the exam technique needed to succeed at grammar and independent schools.
In a nutshell
- Age & year
- Taken at age 10–11, in Year 6, for Year 7 entry the following September.
- What it is
- A selective entrance exam used by grammar schools and many independent schools to assess reasoning, English and maths.
- Why it matters
- Places at top grammar schools are heavily oversubscribed. Strong preparation can mean the difference between an offer and a waiting list.
- How we help
- Board-specific tutoring (GL or CEM), mock exams, past papers and a personalised plan — with regular progress reports for parents.
What is the 11+?
The 11 Plus (11+) is an entrance examination used by grammar schools and some independent schools in England to select students for Year 7 entry. Children typically sit the exam in the autumn of Year 6, when they are 10 or 11 years old. Success opens a place at a selective state grammar school or an independent preparatory pathway — but competition is fierce, and preparation makes a measurable difference.
Grammar schools are state-funded selective schools. Admission is based almost entirely on exam performance, with strict pass marks and long waiting lists in popular areas such as Kent, Buckinghamshire and Birmingham. There is no interview at most grammar schools — the test result is what counts.
Independent schools may also use an 11+ or equivalent entrance test, but the format varies by school. Some use ISEB papers, others set their own. Interviews, creative tasks and school reports often form part of the process alongside written papers.
The two main exam providers are GL Assessment and CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring). GL papers tend to be more predictable in format, with separate timed sections for each subject. CEM papers blend subjects, emphasise vocabulary and timed speed, and are designed to be harder to prepare for through rote learning. Knowing which board your target school uses is the first step in effective preparation.
Regional split:CEM is widely used in Berkshire, Birmingham, Durham, Lancashire, Trafford, Wiltshire and parts of Yorkshire. GL Assessment dominates much of Kent, Surrey, Essex, Lincolnshire and many Southern grammar schools. Some areas — including parts of the Midlands and London — use a mix of both or local consortium papers. We identify your target schools' format before a single session begins.
A typical GL-format 11+ runs for around two to two-and-a-half hours across four papers: verbal reasoning (50 minutes), non-verbal reasoning (40 minutes), English (50 minutes) and maths (50 minutes). CEM formats vary but usually combine shorter, mixed-subject sections with a strong emphasis on comprehension speed and vocabulary. Both require stamina, accuracy under time pressure and familiarity with question types — skills we build systematically over months, not days.
What's covered
Four core areas — each taught with board-specific technique and regular timed practice. Our maths tutoring and English tutoring programmes integrate seamlessly with 11+ reasoning coaching.
Verbal Reasoning
Example skills: Word codes, letter sequences, analogies, odd-one-out, logic grids, vocabulary in context
How we teach it: We teach systematic decoding strategies so your child recognises question types quickly rather than guessing.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Example skills: Shape matrices, rotation and reflection, pattern completion, spatial folding, series completion
How we teach it: We build visual pattern recognition through timed drills and step-by-step elimination techniques.
English
Example skills: Reading comprehension, inference, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, creative and structured writing
How we teach it: We strengthen close reading and timed writing with weekly feedback on technique, structure and accuracy.
Mathematics
Example skills: Arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, algebra basics, word problems, mental maths, geometry
How we teach it: We consolidate KS2 maths and extend into 11+-level problem-solving with exam-style timed practice.
Is this right for your child?
11+ preparation suits children who are academically capable, motivated and whose parents want a structured route into a selective school. Consider tutoring if any of these apply:
You are targeting a grammar school in a competitive area
Kent, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham and Trafford are among the most oversubscribed. A structured programme from Year 5 gives your child the best chance.
Your child is bright but lacks exam technique
Many capable children lose marks through timing errors, misreading questions or unfamiliar formats — not lack of ability. We fix that.
You are applying to both grammar and independent schools
Dual applications require flexible preparation across GL, CEM and school-specific formats. We coordinate both tracks in one plan.
School has not covered reasoning at KS2
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning are rarely taught in primary school. Dedicated coaching closes this gap quickly.
When to start
We recommend starting 11+ preparation 12–18 months before the exam — typically around January of Year 5. Intensive preparation over six months (starting in Year 6) can also be highly effective when sessions are frequent and focused. Early starters build foundations naturally; later starters benefit from targeted, expert coaching.
Foundation
18+ months before (Year 4–5)
Build core maths and English beyond KS2. Introduce reasoning question types gently. No pressure — focus on enjoyment and confidence.
Practice
6–12 months before (Year 5–6)
Regular timed papers, board-specific technique, vocabulary building and mock exams under exam conditions.
Intensive
Final 6 weeks (Year 6)
Full mock exams, exam-day strategy, rest and confidence building. Fine-tune weak spots only — avoid cramming new topics.
How we prepare your child
- Free diagnostic assessment across all four areas — verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and maths
- Personalised study plan aligned to your target school's exam board (GL, CEM or school-specific)
- Weekly timed practice papers with detailed written feedback after every session
- Full mock exams under realistic conditions to build stamina and reduce exam-day anxiety
- Past-paper practice using current, authentic-style papers matched to your region and board
- Exam technique coaching: time allocation, question prioritisation, checking strategies and managing nerves
- Regular progress reports for parents so you always know where your child stands
See our tutoring plans and pricing or book a free demo class to start with a diagnostic assessment.
Common mistakes & challenges we fix
Preparing for the wrong exam board
Practising GL papers when the target school uses CEM wastes months. We confirm the board first and match every resource to it.
Ignoring timing until the last month
Children who know the content but cannot finish in time lose significant marks. Timed practice is built into every stage of our programme.
Neglecting vocabulary (especially for CEM)
CEM English sections reward a wide vocabulary built over time. We integrate daily vocabulary work from the start, not the final weeks.
Over-drilling without understanding
Memorising answers to past questions fails when formats change. We teach underlying reasoning strategies that transfer to any question type.
Exam anxiety and loss of confidence
Mock exams, familiar routines and positive feedback help children arrive on exam day calm and prepared — not overwhelmed.
Outstanding grammar-school success rate · 12–18 months typical preparation · Specialist tutors for GL and CEM · Free diagnostic session included
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