What to Expect in 11 Plus Creative Writing Tests for Super Selective Grammar Schools: A Comprehensive Guide

Covering all your bases is crucial when preparing your child for the writing tests in super-selective grammar schools. These highly competitive tests can include a wide range of topics and styles of questions, from fiction and non-fiction to various specialised forms of writing.

In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive list of what might be tested and insights into potential marking schemes. We’ll also delve into the types of 11 Plus creative writing that are often tested, additional topics to consider, and evaluators’ general marking schemes.

Types of 11 Plus Creative Writing Questions Tested

What You’ve Probably Covered With Your Child

If you’ve been preparing your child for these competitive grammar school tests, you’ve likely covered a broad spectrum of topics.

If you haven’t done so, it is important that you make time for this in your child’s preparation so they can get as much exposure to a variety of writing tasks as possible. These can range from:

• Non-fiction Descriptive Writing: Where the focus is on painting a vivid picture using words.
• Fiction Writing: Crafting stories that can range from realistic to fantastical.
• Flashbacks: A narrative technique that involves jumping back in time.
• Diaries: Writing entries as if you’re documenting events or feelings.
• Newspaper Reports: Factual, objective writing that informs the reader.
• Continuing a Story from a Comprehension Text: An exercise in understanding narrative flow.
• Persuasive Writing: Convincing the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint.
• Letters: Formal or informal, depending on the prompt.
• Personal Opinions: Usually in the form of an essay or article.
• Descriptive Story Based on a Picture: A test of both comprehension and creativity.
• Poems: A more artistic form of expression, focusing on rhythm, meter, and imagery.

Additional 11 Plus Creative Writing Topics to Consider

While the above topics offer a solid foundation, super-selective schools often like to throw in a few curveballs. Here are some additional topics your child might encounter:

• Biographies/Autobiographies: Writing about someone’s life, either your own or a historical figure, can be both challenging and rewarding.
• Book Reviews: This involves summarising the book and adding your personal opinions and critical analysis.
• Travel Writing: Describing a place or a travel experience can test your descriptive abilities.
• Speech Writing: Whether persuasive or informative, crafting a speech requires different skills.
• Dialogue: Writing a conversation between two or more characters can test your understanding of character development and plot.
• Lists: For example, ‘Top 10 Reasons to Save the Environment,’ can be an exercise in concise yet impactful writing.
• How-to Guides: Explaining a process step-by-step tests your organizational skills and clarity.

Understanding 11 Plus Creative Writing Mark Schemes

Knowing what to write is just half the battle; understanding how your writing will be evaluated is equally crucial. While marking schemes can vary, they generally focus on:

• Content: This involves how well you’ve explored and presented the topic. Are all the key points covered? Is there a clear focus?
• Structure: This includes the organisation of your writing. Is there a logical flow? Are the introduction, body, and conclusion well-defined?
• Language: Evaluators look at your choice of words, sentence structure, and the effective use of literary devices. Are you painting a vivid picture or merely stating facts?
• Mechanics: This covers the basics – spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Even the most creative piece can lose marks if it’s riddled with errors.
• Creativity: Last but not least, your ability to engage the reader and offer something unique is often rewarded.

Preparing for 11 Plus creative writing tests in super-selective schools is no small feat. It requires a comprehensive approach that covers a wide range of topics and writing styles. But it’s not just about practising; it’s about understanding what the evaluators are looking for. By focusing on both what to write and how it will be marked, you can tailor your preparation more effectively.

Special Note for Parents

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