11-plus exam prepration can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out.
The good news is that with a clear plan, the right resources, and consistent effort, your child
can build the skills and confidence needed to succeed.
Here’s a structured roadmap to help you get started effectively in Year 5.
🔍 1. Research and Shortlist Grammar Schools
Begin by Googling grammar schools in your area and shortlisting the ones you’d like your child to target. Here is an interactive map that can help you find the grammar schools closest to your area:
Next, look at:
- The school’s admissions policy and catchment area
- The exam board or test provider (GL, CEM, or school-specific)
- Any additional assessments such as creative writing, interviews, or music/sports aptitude tests
Understanding your target schools early helps you tailor your child’s preparation to the correct exam format and timeline.
🧮 2. Understand the Test Format
Every grammar school follows a slightly different testing pattern. Some focus heavily on reasoning, while others place more emphasis on English and Maths. Once you’ve shortlisted your schools, check their websites for details of the test format and topics covered. For a quick look, you can check school pages given in Exam Paper Plus – they are generally updated and will give you an idea of the school background, admission policies and test format. For example, read this page on QE, Barnet School on the Exam Paper Plus website.
This will help you create a focused study plan and avoid wasting time on areas that aren’t tested.
📘 3. Recommended Books and Study Path
11+ Maths Preparation Path
To build a strong foundation in Maths, start early and progress gradually:
| Year Group | Recommended Resources | Purpose |
| Year 3-4 | Schofield & Sims | Strengthen core maths concepts |
| Year 4-5 | CGP or Bond books | Topic-based practice and confidence building |
| Year 5-6 | First Past the Post (FPTP) series | Word problems and exam-style practice |
11+ Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
- CGP 10–11 Years books for Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
- CGP 10-Minute Test Books for for Spatial Reasoning
- CGP Full length practice papers for challengining Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning practice
11+ English
- CGP 10–11 Years 10 minute test books for Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation
- Robert Lomax (RSL) books for Creative Writing and Comprehension
- Alongside these, work with two other publishers (e.g. First Past the Post, Bond, Schofield & Sims) to cover varied question styles.
🧠 4. Build a Strong Vocabulary
A rich vocabulary makes a big difference in comprehension, writing and verbal reasoning – since half of the questions types in verbal reasoning are based on vocabulary and spellings. Explore Girish’s vocabulary resources at www.elevenplusvocab.com — they offer structured word lists and revision tools.
Encourage your child to revise new words regularly and use them in daily conversation and creative writing tasks.
⏱️ 5. Introduce Timed Practice
About three months before the exams, by when the syllabus should have been completed, start working on timed practice papers. You can use the material or resources available at home to time the papers – these can start from 8 minutes for 10 questions and grdually you can reduce it to 4 minutes for 10 questions. The exam’s speed requirements are 20-30 seconds per question. The goal is to build speed, accuracy, and exam temperament. Hence, tracking the results and reviewing incorrect answers to spot weak topics that need more attention is very important.
👩🏫 6. Monitor Progress (Especially If Using a Tutor)
If your child is working with a tutor, stay actively involved. Regularly check progress and ensure that weaknesses are addressed early. Seek feedback after every class and make sure that your child completes homework on a regular basis. Staying disciplined through this journey will reap rich rewards. Many parents request last-minute help, but effective 11+ preparation relies on steady progress, not cramming or quick fixes. A parent, tutor and a child are the three pillars or cornerstone to a successfull 11-plus preparation hence choose your tutor after careful considerations.
We train kids from Y4 across subjects of 11-plus; you can check our classes and try a class as per our trial policy. Our training is driven by techniques and we are update the parent with feedback and homework after every class.
📄 7. Practice with Realistic Mock Papers
Finally, take your 11-plus exam preparation to the next level with mock exams. These include online and offline mock papers in tution centres locally. Please keep in mind that simply solving mock after mock is not going to help. A thorough analysis of the mock with identification of gaps will help the child improve scores.
Try practice papers from Exam Papers Plus. Their papers are slightly more challenging than actual exams, providing excellent, fool proof preparation for real test conditions.
Some other mocks that have been recommended by parents are Top Dog Tutoring, SDE, XL Education, JSK Tution, Euphoria and Atom Learning. Remember, some of these mocks may be tougher than the actual exam and hence the do not stress over the scores of these mocks. Focus on the exam-like experience they provide that help to carm nerves on the day of the exam.
✨ Final Thoughts
Starting 11-plus preparation in Year 5 gives your child plenty of time to learn methodically and build confidence. The key is balance and discipline — a mix of structured study, vocabulary building, and regular review. With the right approach, your child will enter exam season feeling ready and positive.
