How to Prepare for the 11-Plus: A Parent's Plan

Knowing how to prepare for the 11-plus is less about cramming and more about pacing. The test that decides grammar school places rewards steady, well-planned work far more than a last-minute push, and the families who find it least stressful are the ones who start gently and build up. This guide sets out when to begin, the subjects to cover, how much practice is realistic, and a calm year-by-year plan you can follow without turning family life upside down.

When to start

The 11-plus is usually sat at the very start of Year 6, in September, for entry into a grammar school the following September. Registration typically happens in the spring or summer of Year 5, so diaries and deadlines matter. Focused preparation most often begins in Year 5, about a year before the test. Before that, the best groundwork is invisible: a child who reads widely, knows their times tables and meets plenty of new words through Years 3 and 4 arrives at Year 5 ready, without any formal 11-plus drilling.

Know the subjects

The 11-plus usually covers up to four areas, though not every region tests all of them, so check what your target schools actually use before you plan:

• English: comprehension, spelling, punctuation, grammar and often a vocabulary element. Wide reading is the single best preparation.
• Maths: broadly the primary curriculum, applied to problem-solving and worded questions, with speed and accuracy on arithmetic underpinning it.
• Verbal Reasoning: word-based logic puzzles, codes and sequences that reward a strong vocabulary and pattern-spotting.
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: shapes, patterns and spatial questions that most children improve at quickly with practice.

How much practice, and how

Little and often beats long, occasional sessions. Short, regular work of 20 to 30 minutes on school days keeps progress steady and protects a child's enthusiasm. Use good workbooks and, in the final months, timed past papers so exam pace and technique become familiar. Crucially, guard reading time and downtime: a rested, confident child performs far better than an exhausted one. Watch for signs of stress and ease off if you see them, because well-being and results pull in the same direction here, not against each other.

Tutor or do it at home?

You do not need a tutor. Many children pass with structured home practice guided by an organised parent, and consistency matters more than who delivers the work. A tutor can help with accountability, exam technique, or a specific weak area, and some families value the outside structure, but treat it as a choice rather than a rule. Whichever route you take, confirm whether your target schools use the GL format, as that shapes which practice materials to buy.

Keep it in perspective

The 11-plus is one route, not the only one, and a place depends on the test alongside the wider admissions rules. Prepare well, but keep a realistic backup in mind. To understand the bigger picture, read our guide to the 11-plus explained and the comparison of grammar school versus comprehensive, and see how places are allocated in our complete guide to school admissions in England. You can find the grammar schools in your area and their criteria through the government's compare school performance service, or browse more parent guides on Schools Insight.

Frequently asked questions

When should you start preparing for the 11-plus?

Most families begin focused preparation in Year 5, around a year before the test, which is usually sat at the start of Year 6. The foundations that matter most, wide reading, strong times tables and vocabulary, can be built gently from Year 3 or 4 without any formal 11-plus work, so the child arrives at Year 5 ready rather than under pressure.

What subjects are in the 11-plus?

The 11-plus usually tests up to four areas: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Not every region tests all four, so check what your target grammar schools actually use. English and Maths broadly follow the primary curriculum, while the reasoning papers test problem-solving with words, patterns and shapes.

Do you need a tutor for the 11-plus?

No. Plenty of children pass with structured work at home using good workbooks and past papers, and a confident, organised parent can guide it well. A tutor can help with accountability, exam technique or a specific weak area, but tutoring is a choice rather than a requirement, and consistent short practice matters more than who delivers it.

How much practice does the 11-plus need?

Little and often beats long, occasional sessions. Short, regular practice of 20 to 30 minutes on school days, building up to timed past papers in the final months, keeps progress steady without burning a child out. Protect reading time and downtime, because a rested child performs far better on the day.

What is the difference between GL and CEM 11-plus tests?

GL Assessment and CEM were the two main test providers, and their styles differed in format and question types. In recent years GL has become the dominant provider in most areas. The practical point for parents is to confirm which test your target schools use, then practise materials matched to that format.