Preparing for the 11+ exam can feel overwhelming for both parents and children — especially when you’re unsure where to begin. The good news? With the right 11+ resources and a structured plan, the journey can be smooth, organised, and even enjoyable.

The 11+ syllabus is a starting point – after you have shortlisted your target schools and familiarised yourself with the exam pattern, it is essential to know the portion for each subject. There are two exam boards GL (Granada Learning) and CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) that create assessments for the 11+ exams. Majority of the schools follow the GL board; our group classes offer a comprehensive coverage of the 11+ GL syllabus.

Exams conducted by the CEM board have moved online and are now called ‘CEM Select.’ The speed requirements of the CEM Select exam are rigourous and the syllabus differs slightly from the GL board. You can download the CEM syllabus below:

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⭐ Books: The Foundation of 11+ Preparation

Starting in Year 4 is ideal, and choosing the right books early can set the tone for a strong learning journey. You do not need to complete every book from every publisher — a curated selection works best.

General Level Guide

• Year 4: Begin with 8+ to 10+/9–10 years books
• Year 5: Progress to 10–11 years materials

✍️ 1. English

Robert Lomax (RSL)

• Excellent for creative writing and comprehension
• Clear techniques and structured tasks that build writing confidence

CGP – SPAG (Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar) 10-Minute Tests

• Short, targeted practice
• Ideal for daily revision and accuracy building

🧠 2. Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning

CGP Practice & Assessment Books

• Strong alignment with many 11+ exam formats
• Tests structed in a way that results in systematic progression from simple to advanced reasoning

CGP NVR Full-Length Practice Papers

• Best attempted after core GL books
• Excellent for exposure to challenging variety of questions stamina and exam-style exposure

CGP Spatial Reasoning 10-Minute Tests

• Ideal for developing spatial reasoning abilities — the book covers all important topics and has the right level of difficulty required for the exams

➗ 3. Maths: A Year-by-Year Roadmap

A steady, structured approach built over years is key to mastering 11+ Maths.

📘 11+ Maths Preparation Path

Year 3–4:

• Schofield & Sims
  Build strong core skills and accuracy.

Year 4–5:

• CGP or Bond books
  Perfect for topic-wise practice, chapter tests, and confidence building.

Year 5–6:

• First Past the Post (FPTP)
  Focus on word problems and full exam-style preparation.

There are some newly released books by Girish Chaudhary that are organised topic wise and explain the concepts in detail along with an extensive question bank for practice on the topic.

🗂️ Flash Cards for Vocabulary

A strong vocabulary makes a huge difference — not just in English, but also in comprehension and VR. Investment in the right 11+ resources will make it easier for your child to build a good vocabulary. It is very essential to supplement these 11+ resources by maininting a dairy or journal of new words, its synonyms, antonyms, rhyming words and its usage. Bring these new words in your day to day conversations for improved recall.

Highly Recommended:

• Vocabulary books and flashcards by Girish Chaudhary
  (available at www.elevenplusvocab.com)
• CGP Flash Cards
• School reading lists + daily reading habits

🌐 Online Platforms for the 11+

Online platforms bring structure, instant feedback, and consistent practice and are important 11+ resources. Here are the most useful and widely used systems:

Popular Platforms

• Atom Learning (Highly recommended)
• CGP Online (Highly recommended)
• Bond Online
• Exam Happy
• Explore Learning

Below is a comparison table including pricing to help you choose the best one.

🧩 Comparison Table: Atom Learning vs CGP Online vs Bond Online vs Exam Happy

📝 Mock Papers

Mock papers are essential for developing exam temperament and time management.

Highly Recommended:

• Exam Paper Plus (school-specific; could be harder than actual exam)
  • Attempt 3 months before the exam as it is excellent for spotting gaps and time based training.
  • Not suitable for last-minute prep

Other Mock Providers:

• Examberry
• Exam Happy
• Top Dog Tutoring
• SDE
• Chuckra

Try a mixture of online and in-person mocks for best results. Also, make sure mistakes from the mocks are understood before attempting another one.

👨‍👩‍👧 Support Groups for Parents

The 11+ journey can be confusing — administrative questions, book selections, exam patterns, cut-offs, and more. Support groups can save you hours of research.

Useful Platforms

• Facebook 11+ parent groups
• Local grammar school forums
• Our WhatsApp Support Group for Parents
  – Message us to join!

These groups provide real experiences, 11+ resources recommendations, and quick guidance from parents going through the same journey.

🎒 Tutoring: Do You Really Need It?

A common question parents ask is:

“Do we need tutoring from Year 2 or Year 3?”

Short answer: No.

What you should focus on instead:

• Daily reading
• Times tables
• Spellings
• Comprehension
• Age-appropriate reasoning activities

Tutoring Timeline Recommendation

• Start structured tutoring only from Year 4, if required
• We offer group classes and 1-to-1 lessons with full syllabus coverage from Year 4. Our teaching is technique driven as we want to equip kids with any kind of question that could appear in the exams – either from the syllabus or a new variety, especially in the reasoning section.

🎯 Final Thoughts

The 11+ journey is not about pressure — it’s about consistent, organised learning. With the right books, online platforms, mock papers, and parental support, every child can approach the exam with confidence.

The resources listed above form a complete toolkit that will guide you from early preparation to final mock exams.