Ace Your 11+ Interview: The Ultimate Guide to UK School Interview Questions

Let me tell you about the moment that breaks my heart every single time: when a brilliant child, who’s worked so hard for months, walks into their 11 Plus interview and freezes. All that preparation, all that knowledge, all that potential – and nerves get the better of them.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

After ten years of preparing children for grammar and independent school interviews at Geek School Tutoring, I’ve learned something crucial: the interview isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being prepared, being yourself, and showing the school who you really are.

So let’s talk about how to make sure your child walks into that interview room with confidence, not fear.

Why the Interview Actually Matters

Here’s something that surprises a lot of parents: the interview can be just as important as the exam results. I’ve seen children with stellar test scores miss out because they couldn’t hold a conversation. And I’ve seen children with borderline scores get offers because they absolutely shone in the interview.

Schools aren’t just looking for academic robots. They want children who are curious, engaged, thoughtful, and who’ll contribute to their school community. The interview is where your child gets to show all of that.

Think of it this way: the exam shows what your child knows. The interview shows who your child is.

The Questions They’ll Definitely Ask (And How to Answer Them)

Let me walk you through the questions that come up again and again, and more importantly, what the schools are really asking when they pose these questions.

“Why do you want to come to this school?”

This is the big one. Every school asks it, and honestly? Most children give terrible answers.

“Because it’s a good school” – that’s not going to cut it. Neither is “Because my parents want me to.”

Here’s what works: specific, genuine reasons that show your child has actually thought about it. Maybe they’re excited about the debating society because they love discussing ideas. Maybe they saw the science labs and can’t wait to do proper experiments. Maybe they read about the school’s charity work and want to get involved.

The key is authenticity. We spend time with every child at Geek School Tutoring helping them find their own genuine reasons, not scripting answers. Because interviewers can spot a rehearsed response a mile away.

“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

Oh, this question. It trips up so many children because they think they need to be perfect.

Here’s the secret: schools know children aren’t perfect. They’re looking for self-awareness.

A good answer about strengths isn’t just “I’m good at maths.” It’s “I love problem-solving, especially in maths. When I get stuck on a tricky question, I actually enjoy working through different approaches until I crack it.”

And weaknesses? This is where honesty really shines. “I sometimes struggle with creative writing because I find it hard to get started. But I’ve been reading more books to get ideas, and I’m getting better at just putting pen to paper and seeing where it goes.”

See the difference? It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being thoughtful and showing you’re working on improving.

“Tell me about your hobbies and interests”

This is your child’s chance to light up. And I mean really light up.

Whether it’s football, coding, baking, reading, playing the violin, or collecting rocks – whatever genuinely excites your child, that’s what they should talk about. The passion is what matters, not whether it’s an “impressive” hobby.

I’ve seen children win over interviewers by talking enthusiastically about Minecraft (yes, really!), about training their dog, about their obsession with ancient Egypt. The topic doesn’t matter nearly as much as the enthusiasm and depth of interest.

“What would you contribute to our school?”

This one stumps a lot of children because they think they need to promise something amazing.

But here’s the thing: schools aren’t expecting your 10-year-old to revolutionise their community. They just want to see that your child has thought about being part of something bigger than themselves.

Maybe they’d love to join the choir because they enjoy singing with others. Maybe they want to help younger students with reading. Maybe they’re excited about the eco-committee because they care about the environment.

It’s about showing they understand school is a community, not just a place to learn.

The Secret Weapon: Preparation Without Scripting

Here’s where a lot of parents go wrong: they try to script every answer. And the result? Their child sounds like a robot, not a person.

At Geek School Tutoring, we do something different. We help children prepare by:

Thinking through their genuine answers – not memorising scripts, but really reflecting on what they think and feel

Practising the conversation – because an interview is a dialogue, not a performance

Building confidence – so they can think on their feet when an unexpected question comes up

And yes, unexpected questions will come up. That’s part of the point. Schools want to see how children think, not just what they’ve memorised.

The Stuff That Matters More Than You Think

Let me share something that might surprise you: the little things make a huge difference.

Eye contact – not staring, just natural, friendly eye contact. It shows confidence and engagement.

A firm handshake – yes, even for 10-year-olds. It sets the tone.

Sitting up straight – slouching says “I don’t really care.” Good posture says “I’m here and I’m engaged.”

Speaking clearly – not shouting, just clear and confident. If your child tends to mumble, this is something to practise.

Smiling – sounds obvious, but nerves can make children forget. A genuine smile makes everyone feel more comfortable.

We practise all of this at Geek School Tutoring because these “soft skills” are what turn a good interview into a great one.

What to Do the Night Before

The night before the interview, resist the temptation to cram or over-prepare. Your child either knows their stuff or they don’t, and stressing them out won’t help.

Instead:

• Have a normal evening
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Lay out their clothes (smart, comfortable, nothing new that might be uncomfortable)
• Remind them that the interviewers want them to do well
• Tell them you’re proud of them no matter what

That last one is crucial. Your child needs to know that your love and pride aren’t conditional on getting into a particular school.

The Bottom Line

I’ve helped hundreds of children through this process, and here’s what I know for certain: preparation builds confidence, and confidence is what shines through in interviews.

At Geek School Tutoring, we’ve got a 100% pass rate not just because we teach the academic content, but because we prepare the whole child. We build the confidence and communication skills that turn a nervous Year 6 student into someone who can walk into any interview and show exactly who they are.

Our students have gone on to places like St. Olave’s, Dulwich College, Henrietta Barnett, and Wilson’s School – not because they were perfect, but because they were prepared and authentic.

Book a £5 assessment with us today and let’s talk about how we can help your child shine in their interview. We’ve got centres in Beckenham and Lewisham, plus online tuition if that works better for you.

Because every child deserves the chance to show who they really are. And sometimes, all they need is a bit of preparation and a lot of belief.

Let’s make sure your child walks into that interview room ready to ace it.

Joycellyn
Managing Director, Geek School Tutoring