11+ Blog
Clear, practical guides to help you support your child through the 11+ — without the stress.
How to Prepare for the 11+: A Complete Parent’s Guide
Where to begin, what to cover and how to keep it positive — a calm, practical roadmap to 11+ preparation that actually works.
Read article →GL vs CEM: What’s the Difference in the 11+?
Two names every 11+ parent hears — here’s what GL and CEM actually mean, and why it matters less than it used to.
Read article →When Should My Child Start Preparing for the 11+?
Year 4? Year 5? The honest answer, plus a realistic timeline — and what to do if you’re starting later than you’d like.
Read article →11+ Verbal Reasoning: Every Question Type Explained
Synonyms, letter codes, analogies… Verbal Reasoning has many faces. Here’s each main type explained with a quick example.
Read article →11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning: Question Types Explained
Shapes, patterns and folded paper — Non-Verbal Reasoning puzzles children in unfamiliar ways. Here’s each main type made simple.
Read article →11+ Maths: What to Expect and How to Prepare
From fractions to word problems — what the 11+ Maths paper actually covers, and the two skills that make the biggest difference.
Read article →How to Build Your Child’s Vocabulary for the 11+
A strong vocabulary quietly boosts almost every part of the 11+. Here’s how to grow it — without it feeling like a chore.
Read article →11+ Mock Exams: Why They Matter and How to Use Them
Mock exams build the one thing practice papers alone can’t — exam temperament. Here’s how to use them wisely.
Read article →11+ English: Comprehension and Writing Tips
Comprehension, grammar and (sometimes) writing — what the 11+ English paper asks, and how to help your child shine.
Read article →How to Reduce 11+ Exam Stress for Your Child
A calm child performs better. Here’s how to keep 11+ prep positive and steady the nerves before exam day.
Read article →Do You Need a Tutor for the 11+?
Tutor, self-study or online platform? An honest look at the options — and how to choose what fits your child and budget.
Read article →11+ Results: What They Mean and How Appeals Work
Standardised scores, pass marks and appeals — a plain-English guide to what 11+ results mean and what happens next.
Read article →11+ vs SATs: What’s the Difference?
Both happen around the same age, but the 11+ and SATs are very different exams. Here’s how to tell them apart.
Read article →How to Make an 11+ Study Plan (Year 4–6)
A simple, realistic study plan from Year 4 to exam day — enough structure to make progress, without the overload.
Read article →Grammar School vs Independent School: Which Is Right?
Free and selective, or paid and independent? A balanced look at the trade-offs to help you choose the right path.
Read article →10 Common 11+ Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
From cramming to neglecting reasoning, these are the traps that trip families up in 11+ prep — and how to sidestep them.
Read article →How to Help With the 11+ Without Being a Teacher
You don’t need a teaching degree to be a brilliant 11+ support. Here’s how any parent can genuinely help.
Read article →11+ Registration and Key Dates: How to Apply
Miss a registration deadline and the exam isn’t an option. Here’s how 11+ applications work and when to act.
Read article →Super-Selective vs Catchment Grammar Schools Explained
Two grammar schools, two very different admissions rules. Knowing which is which shapes your whole 11+ strategy.
Read article →How Much Does 11+ Tutoring Cost?
One-to-one, group, or online? A realistic look at what 11+ preparation actually costs — and how to spend wisely.
Read article →11+ Exam Day: A Checklist for Parents
The preparation is done — now for the day itself. A simple checklist to keep exam morning calm and set your child up to shine.
Read article →11+ Standardised Scores Explained
Why isn’t the 11+ score just “marks out of 100”? A plain-English guide to standardised scores and age weighting.
Read article →How to Improve Reading Speed for the 11+
The 11+ is a race against the clock, and reading speed matters. Here’s how to build it without sacrificing understanding.
Read article →How to Solve 11+ Letter Codes (with Examples)
Letter codes look baffling until you know the trick. Here’s a simple, reliable method with worked examples.
Read article →Mental Maths Tips for the 11+
In a timed maths paper, fast mental calculation is a superpower. Here’s how to build it, step by step.
Read article →Best Books to Read for the 11+
Wide reading quietly powers the whole 11+. Here’s how to choose books that stretch vocabulary and comprehension.
Read article →What to Do If Your Child Doesn’t Pass the 11+
A missed pass mark feels huge in the moment — but it’s far from the end. Here are the options and how to support your child.
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