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11 plus guides
Clear, practical guides to the 11+ (the eleven plus exam): how the tests work in your area, how to prepare, and how to tackle each type of question.
Exam guides
How the tests work and how to plan your child’s preparation.
QE Barnet 11 Plus: How the Entrance Test Works, From a Former PupilHow the Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet entrance test works: English and Maths papers, key dates, the qualifying score and how to prepare, from a former pupil.Read · 7 min GL vs CEM 11 Plus: What's the Difference, and Does It Still Matter?GL Assessment and CEM 11+ tests explained: how the papers differ, what changed when CEM stopped supplying most grammar school tests, and how to prepare.Read · 5 min How to Prepare for the 11 Plus: A Simple Plan From Year 4 to Exam DayA calm, step-by-step 11+ preparation plan for parents: what to do in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6, key deadlines to watch, and exam-day tips.Read · 6 min
Areas
The 11 plus in each grammar school area: which test, what’s in it and when to register.
Kent 11 Plus (Kent Test): Format, Key Dates and How to PrepareThe Kent 11 plus explained: what's in the Kent Test, when to register, when the test is, the 2027 change of provider and how to prepare.Read · 4 min Buckinghamshire 11 Plus (Secondary Transfer Test): Format, Dates and PreparationThe Bucks 11 plus explained: the Secondary Transfer Test used by all Buckinghamshire grammar schools, what's in it, key dates and how to prepare.Read · 4 min Birmingham 11 Plus (King Edward VI Schools): Format, Dates and PreparationThe Birmingham 11 plus explained: the King Edward VI Foundation grammar schools' GL Assessment test, what it covers, key dates and how to prepare.Read · 4 min Essex 11 Plus (CSSE): Format, Dates and How to PrepareThe Essex 11 plus explained: the CSSE English and Maths test used by Essex grammar schools, what's in each paper, key dates and preparation tips.Read · 4 min Sutton 11 Plus (SET): The Two-Stage Test ExplainedThe Sutton 11 plus explained: the Selective Eligibility Test (SET) and second-stage tests for Sutton's grammar schools, key dates and preparation.Read · 4 min Medway 11 Plus (Medway Test): Format, Dates and How to PrepareThe Medway 11 plus explained: what's in the Medway Test, how it differs from the Kent Test, when to register and how to prepare.Read · 4 min Trafford 11 Plus: Grammar Schools, Test Format and PreparationThe Trafford 11 plus explained: the consortium test for Altrincham, Sale, Stretford and Urmston grammar schools, what it covers and how to prepare.Read · 4 min Lincolnshire 11 Plus: Early Registration, Format and PreparationThe Lincolnshire 11 plus explained: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning papers, the early registration deadline in Year 5, key dates and how to prepare.Read · 4 min
Techniques
Step-by-step methods for specific 11+ question types, with worked examples.
11+ Letter Codes: How to Crack Verbal Reasoning Code QuestionsA step-by-step method for 11+ letter code questions: alphabet positions, shift codes, mirror codes and wrap-around, with worked examples.Read · 5 min 11+ Letter Sequences: How to Find the Next Letters in a SeriesHow to solve 11+ letter sequence questions: single steps, growing gaps, pairs of letters and backwards series, with worked examples.Read · 4 min 11+ Hidden Words: How to Find a Word Hidden Across Two WordsHow to find the four-letter word hidden across the end of one word and the start of the next in 11+ Verbal Reasoning, with worked examples.Read · 3 min 11+ Synonyms and Antonyms: How to Find the Closest and Opposite MeaningsHow to answer 11+ synonym and antonym questions: test words in a sentence, use word parts, eliminate options and build vocabulary.Read · 4 min 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning: How to Spot the Odd One OutA checklist for 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning odd-one-out questions: shape, count, shading, size, position, rotation and line style.Read · 4 min 11+ Rotations and Reflections: How to Tell Them Apart in Non-Verbal ReasoningA reliable way to tell a rotated shape from a reflected one in 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning: track two features and check their order.Read · 4 min 11+ Cubes and Nets: How to Work Out Which Faces Are OppositeSimple rules for 11+ cube net questions: which faces end up opposite, which touch, and how to check an answer quickly.Read · 4 min 11+ Number Sequences: 5 Patterns That Solve Almost Every QuestionHow to find the next number in an 11+ sequence: differences, second differences, multiplying, alternating series and adding the previous two.Read · 5 min 11+ Mental Maths: 8 Shortcuts That Save Time in the ExamQuick mental maths methods for the 11+: multiplying by 5, 9, 11 and 25, percentages, fractions of amounts, rounding and halving and doubling.Read · 5 min 11+ Maths Word Problems: A Step-by-Step Method That WorksHow to solve 11+ maths word problems with a clear method: read, find the question, choose the operation, solve and check, with worked examples.Read · 5 min 11+ English Comprehension: How to Read the Passage and Answer Every Question Type11+ comprehension technique: how to read the passage, the main question types (retrieval, inference, vocabulary, language) and how to use evidence.Read · 6 min 11+ Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar: The Mistakes Exam Questions Test MostThe spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes 11+ English papers test most often, with rules, examples and how to spot errors quickly.Read · 5 min