Helping your child prepare for the 11+ exam can seem daunting at first.
But don’t fret. With the right approach, you can give them bags of confidence whilst keeping stress to a minimum.
Here at 121 Home Tutors across Manchester and Cheshire, we’ve been guiding 11 plus stars through their exams for years. So we hope the following advice helps.
Know What an 11+ Exam Looks Like
The 11+ exam tests children in:
- English (reading comprehension, writing, spelling, grammar, vocabulary)
- Maths (arithmetic, problem-solving, reasoning)
- Verbal reasoning (worde patterns, word-based puzzles)
- Non-verbal reasoning (visual patterns, logic, shapes, sequences)
Bear in mind. Some schools might just cover two of these, others all four.
Best advice, then, is to check the criteria for each school you are considering!
Knowing the content lets you to target 11+ exam prep effectively.
Create a Supportive Study Routine
You know this already – children absolutely thrive on structure. Aim for:
- Do short, regular sessions (30-45 minutes twice a day works better than long morning or afternoon cramming sessions)
- Balance the timetable with breaks, hobbies, and downtime
- Practice under timed conditions to build exam stamina
Use the Right 11+ Exam Resources
Equip your child with materials that match exam demands:
- Download practice papers from your local grammar school website or exam board
- Check whether the entrance exams are GL or CEM-style. Buy 11+ workbooks for English, maths, and reasoning.
- Online platforms such as BOFA for interactive learning and instant feedback
Make Learning Fun
Why not play games to fine-tune your child’s thinking skills?
Brushing up on verbal and non-verbal skills at the same time is even better!
- Blokus is a fun, fast-paced strategy game to get your brain cells buzzing
- Quirkel is another fab board or travel game to trigger fast-thinking, and help spot patterns
- We also love wonderful wordy flashcards such as Farquhar’s – or how about a dose of Wordsmithery?
Playing keeps a child’s interest, plus feeds into their natural competitive streak without getting bogged down.
Build Confidence, Not Pressure
Whether you enlist the support of a professional 11+ tutor, or work with your child yourself, our role is always to support – not overwhelm:
- Encourage progress, however small
- Celebrate effort, not just scores
- Discuss mistakes calmly, turning them into learning opportunities
- Build in mini-mocks to cut down on exam-day anxiety
Smooth Test-Day Prep
Practical readiness is as important as academic skill:
- Visit the exam centre beforehand if possible to acclimatise
- Pack essentials (pencils, erasers, water) the night before
- Ensure your child gets plenty of rest – no late-night cramming
What Difference an 11 Plus Tutor Makes?
While games add an element of fun, and can motivate a reluctant child to learn, working with a private tutor can propel your child’s progress at a rapid pace.
Because lessons are tailored to your child’s exact abilities, plus geared for the specific school, every tuition second counts.
Other benefits are:
- Specialist 11+ tutors experienced in GL, CEM, and school-specific exams can give inside tips
- Structured sessions enable you to track progress
- Targeted tuition whether in-person or online can accelerate success
Final Thoughts
The 11+ exam is undoubtedly a challenge as it’s the first formal exam your child will take.
But it’s also an opportunity to nurture resilience, independence, and self-belief.
With a calm, balanced approach, you’ll not only help your child perform their best in the exam – but also set them up with valuable life skills for the future.
Contact our super experienced entrance exam team right here to have a no-obligation chat.
Feel free to grab a coffee before settling down to read one of our 11 Plus blogs: Five Secrets to 11 Plus Success