How to pass the 11 plus exam
5th February 2020Are you thinking about sending your child to a Grammar School? Have you ever tried to find out more information about the tests and the preparation process? If so, you may feel overwhelmed and slightly confused about where to start. So what do you do? Many people rely on various websites or information acquired from friends and family. But there are a few things you should know before you start the preparation process to ensure your child’s success. This post will take you through the steps of your 11 plus journey.
1. Find out which tests and which exam board your chosen school uses
Each school will have their own tests, exam board and formats. It is essential to acquire this information first before you begin any preparation.
2. Start the preparation early
It has become a forgone conclusion to start the 11 plus preparation in year 4, which in our opinion is certainly not too early. However, this must be approached in a gentle and nurturing manner to ensure that there is a gradual build up in skills before year 5.
3. Find out the important dates for the 11 plus tests
Make sure you find out the following key dates with regards to the tests:
• Registration date – this is the date you can start registering your child for the test
• Open evenings – this is a good opportunity for you and your child to visit the school
• Test date – this is the actual date the test will take place
• Results date – this is the date they will send the results out to you
4. Ensure all aspects of the tests are covered
Whether you decide to prepare your child yourself at home or you decide to find a tutor, you must ensure that the correct subjects and topics are covered in order to best prepare your child for the tests. The main subjects are usually a combination of Math’s, English, Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning.
11 Plus Mathematics
The 11 Plus Mathematics part of the test could include any of the 30 main topics. The format of the questions will usually be in the form of word problems.
11 Plus English
For English, depending on the particular tests a child is taking, they could include exercises in spelling, punctuation, grammar, comprehension and vocabulary.
11 Plus Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning
This part of the test will include a mixture of different sections focused on one question type at a time. They are usually expected to complete some of these sections under timed conditions.
5. Work on exam technique
Where possible try to encourage your child to sit Mock tests. One of the biggest hurdles to 11 plus success is confidence. Mock exams give children the opportunity to find out how the exams will be structured and what to expect when they get to the exam room, that way it’s not so scary on the day! It’s also a great way to practice working under timed conditions. At LBC Tuition we offer Mock Tests for all subjects, contact us to find out more.
6. Consider extra tuition
If your child is really struggling with the 11 plus process or you just don’t have the knowledge or the time to prepare them at home, then you may want to consider sending them to a tutor. This way at least you know that you are sending them to someone who really knows the tests and can prepare them in the best way. However, finding a good 11 plus tutor can be hard to come by, so start your search early for one. If you live in the West Yorkshire area, then you’re in luck, as at LBC Tuition we have experienced tutors who can help you and your child through every step of the 11 plus process.
7. Have the correct mindset
A good approach to take is to focus on the rewarding of effort your child has put in rather than the result. Whether the desired school is achieved, or an alternative is found, the journey there is worthwhile and rewarding. Your child’s learning ability will excel and inevitably they will have surpassed the standardised level for year 7 merely by completely the 11 plus process.
Although following this advice on how to pass the 11 Plus isn’t a guarantee of success, it will help you prepare your child as fully as possible.
