Grammar schools have made the news again recently, as the new government Minister for Education decides whether to reintroduce them across the UK. If you are fortunate enough to live close to a grammar school and have a child in year five, you might have started thinking about whether to enter them for the exam. Grammar schools can offer a high standard of academic excellence to an able pupil, so they are a popular choice for many parents.
We’ve put together this introductory guide to help you understand what’s in store for a child taking the 11 plus exam. Read on to learn about the 11 plus and how to begin early preparation.
What Is the 11 Plus?
When your child enters year six of primary school, you may get a letter from your local authority asking you to choose your secondary school preference. In most parts of the UK, the choice will be the comprehensive school system, which replaced the 11 plus tripartite secondary modern, grammar and technical colleges back in the 1970s. However, some counties kept grammar schools for children with high academic potential. These counties include Kent, Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, and London.
The 11 plus exam, to help these schools select the ablest pupils, run at the county level in the autumn term when your child enters year six. A high score could allow them to apply to a grammar school. Fee-paying independent schools also use a similar style of 11 plus for the same year group as an entrance exam.
What Is In the 11 Plus?
There is a general theme with 11 plus exams, but they differ by county. They are typically made up of verbal tests, non-verbal tests (spacial awareness), and English and mathematical tests. English and mathematics broadly cover the national curriculum topics. However, they will also cover many year six topics that your child may not yet have covered. Verbal tests examine the child on vocabulary, and schools don’t generally cover non-verbal spacial awareness challenges, though they are included to test a child’s academic potential. Some counties, like Kent, also have a writing test to help differentiate candidates.
The local education authorities run timed tests under formal exam conditions, usually on only one day of the year for all students. Some tests follow the traditional format of answering questions in a booklet. In contrast, the other 11 plus tests use a multiple choice format. If you’ve browsed 11 plus preparation guides, you may have encountered CEM and GL Assessment terminology on the front covers. These are the two exam boards. If buying any preparation material or mock exam papers, you should know which one your county uses to ensure your child covers the correct topics.
Suppose you opt for an entrance exam to a fee-paying school. In that case, the local education authority doesn’t manage these tests, so they don’t always follow the same format or exam board.
It’s always best to contact your preferred school and enquire about their entrance paper details. Many independent schools will ask a child to do other assessments, such as a creative writing activity and an interview.
How Should You Prepare Your Child?
Preparing for the 11 plus takes patience and commitment. Your child is still young, and even the most motivated student will find it difficult to revise independently for months before the test. So your job as a parent will be to ensure they have covered the relevant topics and that they have practised some test papers under exam conditions to give them plenty of confidence for their exam day.
Here are some specific ways to help prepare your child.
Do the Admin Tasks First
Your most important parenting job is ensuring you register your child on time to take the exams. Read the critical dates for your county and add them to your calendar. You must register for the test by a deadline, know the test location and time, and note the deadlines for applying to your preferred schools. Check independent school deadlines on their website as they are likely to differ from grammar schools.
Attend Open Days
Open days won’t affect your child’s chances of getting into a particular school, but they are still essential. They will help your child get a feel for the school and whether it is a good fit.
Speak To Your Child’s Teacher
Arrange to speak to your child’s teacher to find out how your son or daughter is doing in school.
An informal conversation will provide more insight than school reports, and they may be able to pinpoint weak areas in the curriculum where your child needs a bit more practice.
Focus on Reading
Your child will need a sizeable and advanced vocabulary to thrive in the verbal part of the test. The best way to support them is through regular reading time at home. Focus on various novels, including some children’s classics, and add lots of non-fiction. Encourage your child to read an age-appropriate newspaper or magazine (like National Geographic for Kids).
Practice Mock Papers
By the time children get to year six, few will have much practice at sitting formal exams unless they sit a KS2 SAT mock in year five. So you can help your child by ordering and practising some mock 11 plus exam papers. Take time to go through the answers together, and spend extra time working through any weak topics.
Focus on Speed
The exam papers are designed to stretch the ablest children. Many children taking 11 plus exams will find it hard to complete all questions in the allotted time. Focus on specific speed techniques with your child, such as using rounding and estimation on certain maths multiple choice questions. Ensure they regularly practice mental arithmetic at speed.
Help Your Child to Relax
When humans feel stressed, we are less likely to recall facts and information from memory. So do make sure you add plenty of relaxation time, including the test day. Walking in a park or riding a bike could help calm those exam day nerves.
The Key to Passing the 11 Plus Exam: Start Early
Many parents often feel apprehensive and nervous about their child sitting the 11 plus exam. But children will cope well with these exams if they get the proper support and preparation. Starting early and planning your child’s educational pathway will maximise their chance of success. If you want a proven way to boost your child’s preparation, check out our exam prep programme. You can get started by booking a taster session and free assessment.
