11+

11+ Exam Preparation With
Expert Online Tutors

Every parent of a Year 5 or Year 6 child in the UK understands just how much is riding on the 11 Plus exam. This single assessment plays a pivotal role in determining whether a child gains entry into a grammar school or selective independent school making thorough, well-structured preparation absolutely essential.

We understand the pressure that comes with this milestone. That’s why we’ve put together everything families need to know from exactly what the 11+ covers and which boards administer it, to the skills being tested, what strong results can unlock for your child’s future, and why having the right tutor by their side makes all the difference.

Countless parents search endlessly for a reliable 11+ tutor and struggle to find someone truly qualified and proven. Your search ends here we’ve got your child covered.

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The 11+ is one of the most important academic assessments a child will face during their primary school years. Taken in Year 6 typically when students are aged 10 to 11 it is used by grammar schools and selective independent schools across the UK to identify students with strong academic potential. The exam generally assesses four core areas: Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics, and English.

With approximately 15,000 selective school places available each year for over 100,000 applicants, competition is genuinely intense. It is important for parents to understand that simply passing the exam does not automatically guarantee a place final admission decisions also take into account interview performance, catchment area, and the student’s overall 11+ score. Students who prepare thoroughly with structured tuition and regular mock practice consistently achieve stronger scores and significantly improve their chances of securing a place at their preferred school.

The 11+ exam is administered by several different exam boards across the UK, most notably GL Assessment, CEM, and the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB). Each board has its own distinct approach, question formats, and assessment methods and some schools even commission their own bespoke versions of the test tailored to their specific entry requirements. This is why it is so important for families to research exactly which exam board their target school uses and prepare specifically for that format.

Preparing for the 11+ can feel overwhelming for both children and parents. Some families opt for structured tuition, others use workbooks and online resources, and some combine both approaches. Whatever route you choose, one thing is consistent students who practice regularly with realistic mock papers and receive expert guidance are far better equipped to perform confidently on exam day.

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What We Offer

Tired of the hassle of travelling to in-person classes? We connect your child directly with a highly qualified, curriculum-aligned exam preparation specialist from the comfort of home. Our experienced tutors deliver focused 1-on-1 online sessions built entirely around your child’s exam goals, learning pace, and specific syllabus requirements so every minute of every lesson counts.

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Flexible Timings

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Why Choose Our Online
11+ Tutors?

Structured 1-on-1 tutoring transforms the entire 11+ preparation experience. With a dedicated tutor guiding every session, students stay consistently on track, build genuine subject confidence, and develop the focused study habits that lead to real results. Online tuition removes the stress of travelling to classes and puts expert guidance right at your child’s fingertips making it the most convenient and effective way to prepare.

Working closely with their personal tutor, students set clear, achievable targets, monitor their own progress, and stay motivated throughout the entire preparation journey. This level of individual attention is what makes the real difference giving every child the specific support they need to tackle this challenging exam with confidence and clarity.

Our highly experienced 11+ tutors are committed to bringing out the very best in every student they work with. Whether your child is just beginning their preparation, needs to strengthen specific weak areas, or is in the final intensive stages leading up to exam day we are here every step of the way. Each tutor delivers personalised, comprehensive guidance tailored entirely to your child’s needs, pace, and target schools.

So whether you are looking for structured online 11+ tuition or simply need a trusted, qualified tutor to give your child the best possible chance the right support is just one click away.

Finding the right 11+ tutor has never been easier. We make the entire process straightforward and stress-free for every family. It all begins with a thorough assessment of your child’s current abilities, learning style, and specific areas that need the most attention. From there we build a fully personalized preparation plan designed around your child’s target schools, timeline, and goals so every session is purposeful and productive from day one. And before you commit to anything at all, we offer every new student a completely free trial lesson giving you and your child the chance to experience our tutoring approach first hand, with absolutely no obligation.

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Behind The 11+ Test

The 11+ is not a single standardised test set by one central authority. Instead it is administered by several different exam boards, each producing their own version of the assessment with varying formats, subjects, and question styles. Understanding which board your child’s target school uses is a crucial first step in building an effective preparation plan. The three main exam boards that administer the 11+ are:

Type of Test: GL Assessment is one of the most widely used 11+ providers in the UK, delivering a mixed format assessment covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics, and English.
Regions Used: Predominantly used by grammar schools across regions including Kent, Buckinghamshire, and Lincolnshire.
Test Structure: GL tests are heavily curriculum-based and designed to reward strong subject knowledge. They typically follow a multiple-choice format with a strong emphasis on recognising patterns and applying knowledge from previous practice papers.
Focus: Assessments are structured to evaluate a student’s depth of curriculum understanding and their ability to apply knowledge accurately under timed conditions.

Developed and operated by the University of Durham.

Type of Test: CEM assessments are ability-focused, with sections covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, and Comprehension.
Focus: Unlike GL, CEM deliberately aims to reduce the impact of coaching by making its tests less predictable. The emphasis is firmly on measuring a student’s natural ability to apply skills and think across unfamiliar scenarios rather than simply recalling practised content.
Test Structure: CEM tests use a mixed format combining multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions with varying numbers of questions per section. The unpredictable order of topics and question types makes thorough, adaptable preparation essential.
Goal: CEM assessments are specifically designed to minimise the advantage of familiarity with past papers, instead measuring genuine real-world problem-solving ability and cognitive flexibility.

Type of Test: The ISEB 11+ Common Entrance Exam is used primarily by independent and private schools rather than state grammar schools. It is designed to assess a child’s academic readiness for entry into selective private education.
Subjects: ISEB assessments typically cover English, Mathematics, and Science, though individual schools may require additional subjects depending on their specific entry criteria.
Focus: While structured differently from the traditional 11+, the ISEB fulfils a similar purpose identifying academically capable students for selective school entry. It combines curriculum-based knowledge with reasoning and critical thinking skills.
Test Structure: Unlike the multiple-choice format of GL assessments, ISEB exams are predominantly written answer tests. They can span a broader range of subjects including History, Geography, and in some cases Latin, depending entirely on the requirements of the individual school.

GL Assessment is the most curriculum-driven of the three, heavily rewarding subject knowledge and pattern recognition developed through structured practice.
CEM is intentionally designed to be unpredictable, placing the emphasis on natural aptitude and reasoning ability rather than coaching or content familiarity.
ISEB is used exclusively by independent schools and covers the broadest range of subjects, making it distinctly different in both format and scope from both GL and CEM assessments.

What Does the 11+ Exam Look Like?

Verbal Reasoning: 45 minutes
Non-Verbal Reasoning: 45 minutes
Mathematics: 45 minutes
English: 45 minutes to 1 hour (where included)

Total Duration: The complete 11+ assessment typically runs between 2 and 2.5 hours in total, depending on which papers are included Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics, and English. In some areas the exam is split across two separate days, with different papers sat on each day.

Summary of 11+ Papers: Students typically sit between 2 and 4 papers depending on the school and exam board:

Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Mathematics
English (required by some schools, optional for others)

Each individual paper generally runs between 45 minutes and 1 hour in duration.

The 11+ is designed to assess both a student’s acquired knowledge and their underlying reasoning ability. The exam is typically structured around four core assessed areas:

English
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Mathematics

While the English and Mathematics sections evaluate a student’s curriculum knowledge and subject understanding, the Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning sections go further measuring a student’s capacity for logical thinking, pattern recognition, and the ability to process and apply information independently.

Numerical operations and mathematical logic fall under the Verbal Reasoning section, while spatial awareness and diagram-based problem solving are assessed through Non-Verbal Reasoning. It is important to note that the exact subjects included and the format of each paper can vary significantly depending on the school and exam board. Some schools assess only Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, while others include all four components plus additional subjects such as Science.

The specific content of the 11+ varies by exam board and region, but the following core themes are consistently covered across all major providers.

The English component of the 11+ evaluates a child’s reading comprehension, grammatical accuracy, spelling, vocabulary, and written communication skills. Students may be asked to read and respond to a passage, complete vocabulary and grammar exercises, analyse sentence structure, and demonstrate their ability to express ideas clearly and accurately in writing. The overall aim is to assess whether a student can fully understand and effectively use the English language at the expected level for selective school entry.

11+ English Paper

Reading comprehension passage with structured questions
Short writing task or creative writing prompt
Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Number of Questions: Typically 30–40 questions, with writing tasks ranging from 200–300 words
Format: A mix of multiple-choice and written response questions depending on the exam board

The Verbal Reasoning section assesses a student’s ability to understand, analyze, and work with written information. This component tests a wide range of language-based skills including vocabulary knowledge, word relationships, analogies, and logical thinking all of which reflect a student’s critical reasoning and problem-solving ability when working with text-based material.

11+ Verbal Reasoning Paper

Word analogies and relationships
Synonyms and antonyms
Logic and word-based puzzles
Word sequences and patterns
Duration: Around 45 minutes
Number of Questions: Typically 40–50 questions
Format: Multiple-choice, with some variation depending on the exam board

The Non-Verbal Reasoning section measures a student’s ability to think logically and solve problems using visual and spatial information rather than words or numbers. This section focuses on a student’s capacity to identify patterns, recognise shapes, and work through sequences — assessing the kind of spatial intelligence and practical visual judgment that cannot easily be developed through standard curriculum study alone.

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Paper Focuses on visual and pattern-based reasoning. It includes:

Completing sequences and series
Identifying the odd shape out
Spotting and continuing visual patterns
Duration: Around 45 minutes
Number of Questions: Typically 40–50 questions
Format: Multiple-choice

Mathematics is one of the most heavily weighted components of the 11+ exam. This section assesses a student’s numerical ability, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving skills across a broad range of topics. Students are expected to demonstrate both arithmetic accuracy and the ability to apply mathematical thinking to real-world and abstract problems confidently.

11+ Mathematics Paper Content assesses mathematical knowledge and problem-solving ability across topics including:

Arithmetic operations — addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Fractions, percentages, and decimals
Word problems and applied reasoning
Foundational geometry and algebra
Duration: Around 45 minutes
Number of Questions: Typically 30–40 questions
Format: Multiple-choice or a combination of multiple-choice and written answers

Given how competitive the 11+ is and how significantly it shapes a child’s educational future many families choose to work with a specialist tutor to give their child every possible advantage. A great 11+ tutor does far more than simply teach content. They identify exactly where each student needs additional support, provide targeted practice tailored to the specific exam board, and deliver the kind of personalized attention that builds both ability and confidence.

Our specialist online 11+ tutors are thoroughly familiar with every major exam board’s content, format, and marking approach. They conduct regular mock tests under realistic exam conditions, provide expert guidance on tackling specific question types, and deliver detailed personalised feedback after every session helping students clearly understand their strengths, address their weaknesses, and sharpen their skills systematically over time.

Consistent, structured practice is the single most important factor in achieving strong 11+ results. Regular exposure to exam-style questions, timed practice papers, and board-specific exercises helps students become thoroughly familiar with the types of questions they will face building both speed and accuracy over time. Our tutors provide carefully selected practice materials that are precisely aligned to the relevant exam board and test format, ensuring every practice session is as productive and exam-relevant as possible.

The 11+ can feel daunting for many students and that anxiety, if left unaddressed, can significantly affect performance on the day. Our tutors actively work to build each student’s confidence throughout the preparation process by offering consistent encouragement, honest and constructive feedback, and a calm, supportive learning environment. Helping students approach the exam with a positive, prepared mindset is just as important to us as developing their academic skills.

Our 11+ tutors place a strong emphasis on thorough, systematic revision because consistent repetition is how genuine understanding is built and retained. Tutors provide board-specific practice questions, targeted revision exercises, and regular online mock tests all carefully designed to reflect the exact format and difficulty level of the real exam. This ensures students cover the full scope of the syllabus, become completely comfortable with the question styles they will encounter, and develop strong time management skills for working efficiently under exam conditions.

Understanding how to manage time effectively during the exam is a skill in itself. Our tutors teach students how to approach each section strategically which questions to prioritise, how to pace themselves across the paper, and how to avoid the common time management mistakes that cost students valuable marks.

11+ Exam Preparation With
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