The Complete Guide to 11+ Exam Preparation in 2026

What Is the 11+ Exam?

The 11+ is a selective entrance examination taken by children in Year 5 or Year 6 in England and Northern Ireland. It is used by grammar schools and some independent schools to assess whether a child is suited to their academic programme. The exam is typically sat in September or October of Year 6, with results arriving later that autumn.

Did you know? There are around 163 grammar schools in England, and competition for places can be fierce — some schools receive over 2,000 applications for just 180 places.

Who Takes the 11+?

Any child may sit the 11+ if their parents wish to apply for a grammar school or selective independent school place. There is no requirement to attend a particular primary school, and children from all backgrounds take the test each year. In some areas, the local authority administers the exam; in others, individual schools set their own papers.

What Does the 11+ Test?

The subjects tested vary by region and school, but most exams draw from four core areas:

Some exams focus on just two of these subjects, while others test all four. Check your target school’s admissions page to confirm which areas are examined.

The Two Main Exam Boards

Tip: Whichever board your school uses, strong underlying skills in maths, English, and reasoning will serve your child well. Our apps cover both styles.

How to Prepare: A Step-by-Step Plan

1. Understand the Format

Before your child picks up a single practice paper, find out exactly which exam board and subjects your target school uses. Common boards include GL Assessment and CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring), each with a different style of question.

2. Build Core Skills First

Focus on strengthening your child’s fundamentals in maths and English before moving to exam-specific techniques. A solid grasp of the Year 5 curriculum provides the foundation everything else builds upon.

3. Introduce Reasoning Gradually

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning can feel unfamiliar at first. Start with the basic question types and work up to timed conditions. Our 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning and 11+ Verbal Reasoning Methods & Techniques apps are designed to introduce each topic with study notes before progressing to timed practice.

4. Practise Under Exam Conditions

Once your child is comfortable with the question types, begin full mock tests. Time pressure is one of the biggest challenges in the 11+, so regular timed practice is essential. All of our apps include built-in mock tests to simulate real exam conditions.

5. Review and Focus on Weak Areas

After each practice session, go through incorrect answers together. Identify recurring patterns — perhaps your child consistently struggles with fractions or letter-series questions — and dedicate extra time to those areas.

Suggested Weekly Study Plan

Staying Positive

The 11+ is demanding, but preparation should not dominate your child’s life. Short, focused daily sessions of 20 to 30 minutes are far more effective than occasional marathon cramming.

Remember: Celebrate progress, keep a healthy balance with hobbies and downtime, and remind your child that the exam is just one step on their educational journey.

With the right plan and consistent effort, your child can approach the 11+ feeling confident and well prepared. Explore our full range of 11+ preparation apps to get started today.