If you're hoping to sit your child for a school that selects students based on their performance in the 11+ test, you'll be looking for resources to support learning.
In this section of the site you'll find a beginner's guide to the 11+ test and loads of information about how to help your child prepare, as well as an area-by-area guide to the test format.
Our 11+ Learning Journey is a structured, year-long 11+ preparation plan that covers the English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning skills your child will need to have mastered before they sit the test.
For an introduction to 11+ skills see our Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning learning pack, and boost your child's vocabulary with some wonderful books as recommended in our 11+ Prep Reading Adventure.
Articles
Best 11+ learning tools
Workbooks, practice papers and a hefty dose of general parental anxiety are a classic combination when your child is preparing to take a selective exam like the 11+. These tools aim to make preparation more fun, more convenient or more efficient – well worth including in your revision plan in the run-up to September.
What is a cloze test?
An important part of the new-format 11+ exam, and a valuable test of your child's ability in English, we explain what cloze procedures involve.
DIY 11+ tutoring: the parents' guide
Are you cut out to be your child's 11+ tutor? Mark Chatterton, author of The 11+ A Practical Guide For Parents, explains what you need to make DIY 11+ tutoring a success for both you and your child.
Worksheets
Non-verbal reasoning: Counting sides, symbols and more
Non-verbal reasoning is all about understanding sequences of shapes and patterns. You might be looking for similarities or differences between different figures. Alternatively, you might be given a series of figures and asked to complete the sequence with another figure. In this series of exercises, the first two shapes are related by a specific feature they have in common. Choose the one figure from the five choices that is most like the two figures on the left.
11+ vocabulary flashcards
Download our free 11+ flashcards to help boost your child's vocabulary and practise for the verbal reasoning tasks of the 11+ exams.
Non-verbal reasoning: Cryptography revision
Are you ready to decode some codes? Work out the code for the fifth shape.
Also see:
11+ Learning Journey
The 11+ Learning Journey is a (subscriber-only) structured preparation plan, designed for you and your child to work through together over a year in order to prepare for the exam. It includes English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning worksheets, packed with step-by-step explanations, examples and practice questions.
In order to cover all the skills that your child will have to master by the time they sit the 11+ test either work through the worksheets in order or pick those worksheets that cover topics where you know your child needs some extra help.
You can also receive a weekly email, which includes recommended exercises in all four disciplines and tips and tricks from 11+ experts. To join this mailing list email [email protected]
Look through the 192 11+ Learning Journey worksheets now.
The 11+ test area-by-area
The 11+ is administered differently in each area where it's used, and the test itself will be produced specifically for that area or group of schools. Our parents' guides give you a detailed overview of what you need to know about the test in the area where you live. Start by reading our region-by-region guide to the 11+.
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning: an introduction
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests are used in secondary school selection, and in some schools they are also part of CATs at the beginning of Year 7.
Reasoning skills are a form of critical thinking; the tests are designed to assess a child's ability with words, numbers, shapes and space. While these skills can be developed and practised, they are non curriculum-based skills, so aren't always taught as part of KS2. The Verbal and non-verbal reasoning: an introduction pack has been written to provide a general overview of these skills, including practical examples of the common types of questions, hints and explanations to help you understand the solutions and play-based ways to help prepare your child at home (be warned, though, you will have to participate - and might even enjoy it!).
Written by headteacher, parent and verbal and non-verbal reasoning expert Stephen McConkey of Learning Together, this 45-page pack is a great way to start planning for your child's move to secondary school. In the pack you'll find:
- Verbal and non-verbal reasoning: an introduction
- 10 steps to effective 11+ preparation and practice
- The no-textbooks way to prepare for the 11+
- Verbal reasoning practice: 45 questions
- Non-verbal reasoning practice: 46 questions
Your 11+ Prep Reading Adventure
Reading is the best way to boost your child's vocabulary and super-charge 11+ preparation time – the fun way!
TheSchoolRun asked secondary English teacher, parent and 11+ tutor Emma Larard to choose 40 books that are guaranteed to challenge your child and move their reading comprehension up a level. They'll fall in love with the stories they read – and pick up huge amounts of new, rich vocabulary as they immerse themselves in wonderful fictional worlds and classic texts. Your 11+ Prep Reading Adventure has been designed for Year 5 readers, but why not take on the challenge as an adult and plan a trip to the library to stock up on some of the suggested books? You'll enjoy it just as much as your child will.
Looking for 11 plus exam papers?
If you're looking for practice papers you can find an extensive selection of expert e-papers at Exam Papers Plus. These papers cover every aspect of the written examination process for Mathematics, English and Verbal Reasoning and include answer sheets.
Please not that TheSchoolRun receives a percentage of the purchase.
