If you are hoping for your child to go to a Grammar or an Independent school, you might have already been doing some research on how you can help them prepare for the 11 plus exams. This exam is the means by which some of the UK’s highest achieving secondary schools decide which Year 6 children they will accept as students.
It goes without saying that there’s no magic wand which can make your child pass the 11 plus exam, but there are a number of extremely helpful and effective strategies which can help them prepare for it. Here we’ve compiled a list of our top 5 recommended tips to help your child prepare for their 11 plus exams.
This is how to help your child prepare for 11 plus exams:
Do your research
Begin with practice books then move to past papers
Talk to your child’s teacher
Read, read and read
Hire a private tutor
1. Do Your Research
One of the first things you can do is find out the type of test that your preferred school is doing. There are two main types in the UK, CEM - covers maths verbal reasoning & non verbal reasoning, whilst GL covers English, Maths, Verbal and Non Verbal reasoning and usually involves a piece of extended writing
2. Begin With Practice Books Then Move To Past Papers
Begin with practice books then move to past papers. There are lots of good 11+ Practice books covering each examined subject which are age appropriate. You can find a wide selection of 11 plus practice books here.
Sit with your child whilst they do the tests at first, help them understand what is being looked for and guide them. Gradually leave them to be more and more independent and add a timed element as soon as possible.
In the final leg, use published practice papers from your child’s preferred school if available. Using practice exam papers is one of the most effective methods to pass the 11 Plus, as they allow your child to put theory into practice. Not only do they help your child familiarise yourself with the layout of the exam, but they encourage good time management too.
3. Talk To Your Child’s Teacher
You should also ask your child’s teacher about their ability level. Many selective schools are very competitive and only the most able in each school have a realistic chance of passing, whilst others are less difficult to get into. Find out your child's strengths and areas to improve on to help you fill gaps.
4. Read, Read And Read
As well as practice books and papers, children should read every day independently. Reading is the key to a wide vocabulary and good spelling, which is essential if your child is to pass.
Learn more about the importance of reading to help pass the 11 plus.
5. Hire A Private Tutor
One of the best ways you can prepare your child for the 11 plus is by hiring a qualified, experienced private tutor, like GCSE Masterclass. With a tutor, your child will have the undivided attention of someone who really knows what they’re talking about and is proven to increase exam performance.
How We Can Help Your Child Pass Their 11 Plus…
Maximise your child’s chances of gaining entry to the school of your choice with GCSE Masterclass. We offer one-to-one 11+ tuition in your own home in London with a qualified and experienced teacher. We will cover all question types, and gradually build up to timed practice with exam papers.
In 2020, 74% of our students passed the 11+ test and gained entry to the school of their choice.
At GCSE Masterclass, we use only the very best teachers. All our staff are fully qualified, experienced teachers who have a proven track record of high quality teaching and excellent results within their GCSE classes.
Contact us to find out more about how we can help your child pass their 11 plus.
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