Does the 11 Plus Still Matter? (Spoiler: Absolutely Yes)

I get this question all the time from parents who walk through our doors at Geek School Tutoring. They’re worried, confused, and honestly, a bit overwhelmed by everything they’re hearing about the 11 Plus. “Is it even worth it?” they ask. “Does it still matter in 2025?”

Let me tell you something that might surprise you: the 11 Plus matters more now than it ever has.

I know, I know. You’ve probably heard people say grammar schools are outdated, or that the exam is too stressful, or that there are “plenty of other options.” And look, they’re not entirely wrong about there being other options. But here’s what I’ve learned after ten years of helping hundreds of children pass this exam and get into schools like St. Olave’s, Henrietta Barnett, and Wilson’s School: the 11 Plus opens doors that simply don’t exist anywhere else.

Why I’m So Passionate About This

When I started Geek School Tutoring, I had one simple goal: to give every child the chance to reach their full potential, regardless of their background. And the 11 Plus? It’s the great equaliser. It doesn’t care if your parents went to university. It doesn’t care about your postcode. It cares about one thing: can your child think, reason, and problem-solve at a high level?

That’s powerful. That’s life-changing.

I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Children who had been struggling in Year 4 and had been written off by everyone suddenly thrived at grammar school. Parents in tears (happy tears!) when their child gets that acceptance letter. It never gets old, honestly.

What the 11 Plus Exam Actually Tests (And Why It Matters)

Here’s the thing most people don’t understand: the 11 Plus isn’t just testing what your child has memorised. It’s not about regurgitating facts. It’s testing something much deeper – their ability to think.

The exam typically covers four areas:

• English – but not just “can they spell?” It’s about understanding what they read, picking up on subtle meanings, and expressing themselves clearly. These are skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.
• Maths – and yes, there’s arithmetic, but the real challenge is problem-solving. Can they take what they know and apply it to something they’ve never seen before? That’s what grammar schools are looking for.
• Verbal Reasoning – this is where it gets interesting. Word puzzles, logic problems, patterns in language. It’s like a workout for the brain, and honestly? Kids often love this bit once they get the hang of it.
• Non-Verbal Reasoning – shapes, patterns, sequences. No words needed. This is pure logical thinking, and it’s fascinating to watch children’s brains light up when they crack these puzzles.

Now, here’s the reality: different areas test different combinations of these. Kent does all four. Bexley focuses heavily on reasoning. Sutton has that two-stage process that makes parents nervous. But here’s what they all have in common: they’re looking for bright, capable children who can think on their feet.

The Bit Nobody Talks About (But Should)

You want to know the real secret? The real reason I’m so passionate about 11 Plus preparation?

It’s not actually about the exam.

I know, that sounds mad coming from someone who runs an 11 Plus tutoring centre! But hear me out.

The skills your child develops while preparing for the 11 Plus – the resilience, the work ethic, the ability to tackle difficult problems without giving up, the confidence that comes from mastering something challenging – those skills are worth their weight in gold. Whether your child ends up at a grammar school, an independent school, or an outstanding comprehensive, they’ll carry those skills with them forever.

I’ve had parents come back to me years later and say, “You know what? My child didn’t get into grammar school, but the preparation changed everything. They went to their local secondary and absolutely smashed their GCSEs because they knew how to work, how to revise, how to push through when things got tough.”

That makes me just as proud as the grammar school successes, if I’m honest.

So Does It Still Matter?

Yes. A thousand times, yes.

But not for the reasons you might think. It matters because it gives your child options. It matters because it teaches them what they’re capable of. It matters because in a world that’s increasingly competitive, having that grammar school education (or the skills developed trying to get there) gives them a genuine advantage.

I’ve seen it play out over and over again. The children we’ve helped prepare for the 11 Plus – whether they passed or not – go on to achieve incredible things. They get into top universities. They land amazing careers. They become confident, capable adults who know how to work hard and think critically.

And it all starts with this one exam.

What This Means for Your Family

If you’re wondering whether to put your child through the 11 Plus process, ask yourself one question: “Do I want to give my child every possible opportunity?”

If the answer is yes, then the 11 Plus matters.

It’s not easy – there’s no doubt about that. It takes commitment from you, from your child, and yes, it takes expert guidance. But it’s worth it. Every single time, it’s worth it.

At Geek School Tutoring, we’ve helped hundreds of children through this journey. We’ve got a 100% pass rate on the Kent, Bexley, and Medway tests because we understand what these exams really test. We know how to build not just knowledge, but confidence. We know how to turn a nervous Year 5 child into a capable, assured Year 6 student who walks into that exam hall ready to show what they can do.

And we’d love to help your child, too.

Book a £5 assessment with us today  and let’s have a proper chat about your child’s potential. We’ve got centres in Beckenham and Lewisham, plus online tuition if that works better for your family. No pressure, no hard sell – just an honest conversation about whether the 11 Plus is right for your child and how we can help.

Because here’s what I believe with every fibre of my being: every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential. And sometimes, all they need is someone who believes in them and knows how to unlock that potential.

That’s what we do. That’s why I’m still here, ten years later, still getting excited every time a child has that “aha!” moment, still celebrating every pass, still believing in the power of the 11 Plus to change lives.

So yes, it still matters. More than ever.

Let’s do this together.

P.S. Still not sure? That’s completely normal. Why not join us for a no-obligation assessment? We’ll sit down with your child, see where they are, and give you an honest opinion about their chances and what preparation would look like. No commitment required – just honest, expert advice from someone who genuinely cares about your child’s success. Book your £5 assessment here.