When should you start preparing for the 11 Plus?

Year 3 and earlier: build a love of reading

There is no need for formal 11 Plus work this early. The single most useful thing you can do is build a daily reading habit and keep maths enjoyable. Wide reading grows the vocabulary that the English and Verbal Reasoning papers reward years later, and confident number work makes everything that follows easier.

Year 4: gentle foundations

Year 4 is a good time to introduce the reasoning question types without pressure. Short, regular sessions work far better than long ones. Keep securing times tables and mental arithmetic, and talk about new words as they come up in reading.

• Read widely every day and discuss unfamiliar words
• Secure times tables and quick mental arithmetic
• Try a few Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning puzzles for fun

Year 5: focused preparation

Year 5 is when most families begin structured preparation. Confirm the exam format your target schools use, then practise in that style. Build from topic by topic work towards longer practice, so your child meets every common question type well before exam day.

Year 6: timing and mock exams

By the start of Year 6 the focus shifts to timing and exam conditions. Move from untimed practice to full timed papers, then to realistic mock exams that mirror the real thing. Regular mocks reveal which topics still need work and take the fear out of exam day.

Starting later than you planned

If you are starting later, do not panic. A shorter run still works if sessions are regular and focused. Spend your limited time on the right exam format and on the weakest areas, and use mock exams to check progress rather than guessing.