This is a question that a lot of parents have, and the answer can vary depending on your child’s ability. Some children may be ready to start preparing a year in advance, while others may only need a few months.
Our managing director, Joycellyn Akuffo, suggests starting in year 4 to help children ease into the process, fill any knowledge gaps in maths and English and develop the skills needed to ace the exams without the stress that late starters experience.
It’s important to find out what the exam covers and what your child will need to know in order to be prepared. It is a lot of information available online and from tutors, so start researching what is available in your area and surrounding local authorities that have grammar schools.
Eleven plus exams can include English, verbal reasoning, non-verbal, reasoning and maths papers, so make sure your child is practising these skills regularly.
If your child attends a state school, verbal and non-verbal reasoning will not be taught to them as they are not part of the National Curriculum, so it’s worth considering the services of an 11 Plus specialist tutor who can help your child work on these areas.
The most important thing when it comes to 11 Plus exam preparation is to stay calm and not put too much pressure on your child. Preparing for 11+ exams can be stressful for both you and your child, but it’s important to remember that it’s just one step on the way to finding the right school for them.
If you have any other questions about the 11 Plus exams or preparation, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help. You can also watch the video below to find out more about when to start preparing your child for the 11 Plus exams:
