5 Tip on How to Pass The 11 Plus Entrance Exams
- Dickson Wong
- Feb 12
- 6 min read
Passing the 11 Plus entrance exam is a significant milestone for many students aiming to secure a place at top UK independent or grammar schools. This exam is not just a gateway to top selective UK grammar and independent schools, but also an opening to academic excellence and future life opportunities. Therefore it is hardly surprising that success in the 11 Plus requires a blend of knowledge, skill, and strategy. Success in this exam requires a combination of strong skills, strategic preparation, and well-practiced exam techniques. Understanding the core elements of success can help students and parents navigate this challenging journey with confidence. Here are the five key strategies that will give students the best chance of succeeding in the 11 Plus.
1. Skills, Skills, Skills
Developing skills that go beyond the exam is the foundation of success in the 11 Plus. The exam assesses a range of abilities, including Mathematics, English, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning. The 11+ exam is intended to measure innate problem solving skills and how well the student would do in a challenging academic environment rather than knowledge beyond the KS2 stage. This means that the ability to understand problems and skillsets in generating solutions across the 4 examinable sections are crucial.
Developing strong literacy and numeracy skills early on is essential for tackling the demanding nature of the test. Students should engage in regular reading to enhance their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking abilities. Exposure to complex texts and diverse writing styles will help them interpret passages with greater ease. Similarly, Mathematics must be approached with a solid understanding of fundamental concepts such as arithmetic, fractions, algebra, and problem-solving techniques. A well-rounded skill set ensures students can confidently approach any question type presented in the exam. In reasonings tests, schools are testing students' cognitive ability and their understanding patterns and spotting connections beyond the school curriculum. Verbal reasoning involves letters and words, and Non-Verbal reasoning involves shapes and diagrams.
2. Start Preparation Early
Starting preparation early is a critical factor in reducing stress and achieving success. Many students begin their studies two years in advance to allow ample time for gradual improvement. A well-structured study plan ensures that topics are covered systematically, preventing last-minute cramming. Early preparation allows students to identify their strengths and weaknesses, focusing on areas that require additional attention. Consistency is key; short, regular study sessions prove far more effective than sporadic, intensive cramming sessions. Parents and educators should ensure that study time remains engaging and productive to maintain motivation throughout the process. Regular Assessments that simulating the real test environment builds familiarity and confidence, ensuring students’ progress are tracked and any unwanted surprise on test day is prevented.
3. Understand the Test Format
Understanding the test format is another crucial aspect of effective preparation. While the subjects and format can vary across different schools, the 11+ exam usually tests any combination of English, maths, verbal reasoning (VR) and non-verbal reasoning (NVR). In Mathematics – covering arithmetic, algebra, and problem-solving; English – including comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar; Verbal Reasoning – testing logical thinking using words and patterns; Non-Verbal Reasoning – assessing problem-solving with shapes and visual patterns.
The 11 Plus exam varies by region and school, making it essential for students to familiarise themselves with the specific structure they will face. To prepare effectively,
Research – Find out the exact format used by the target school as some tests are multiple-choice, while others require written answers. Check the school’s website or contact them directly to understand their exam format. Sometimes school admission officer is willing to disclose a little information about the format of said exams and these can sometimes be pivotal in allocating your preparation time effectively
Study Past Papers – These help familiarise students with the question styles and difficulty level. Sample papers and past exams are invaluable resources, providing insight into question styles and time constraints. They help student understand what to expect, highlight areas for improvement, and boost their confidence before the test day.
Understand the Marking System – Some exams use age-standardised scores, meaning that older students need slightly higher marks to compete fairly. While other schools use ‘weighting’, where specific sections of the exam have more value, some others might take an average across all sections. It is important to check the admissions criteria for the schools you’re applying to.
4. Build Exam Techniques
Mastering exam techniques is just as important as understanding the content of the 11 Plus. Many students know the answers but struggle because they fail to manage time, misinterpret questions, or panic under pressure. Good exam strategies enable students to manage their time effectively and answer questions efficiently under often very rushed timed conditions.
Here are some essential Exam Techniques
Time Management – This is one of the most important exam techniques. While it is commonly understood that students should not spend too long on a single question, this not it is much easier said and done as ill-prepared students tend to lose track of time, only then to realise too late into the test to recover lost time. Learning to allocate specific seconds to each question based on the number of marks awarded and staying disciplined with the predetermined time is a tactic that is valuable yet often overlooked.
Question Skimming – This is particularly important for longer questions that normally appear in logical or IQ questions where questions tend to be longer, and contain plenty of information, some of which are not useful for figuring the answer. The ability to read the question first and then skim through the chunky text to find relevant information and filter out non-relevant ones, are equally important to both time management and scoring highly.
Elimination Method – For multiple-choice questions, sometimes the fastest method is not to try to find the correct answers but rather to eliminate all the incorrect ones. In entrance exams such as CAT4, it is arguably more accurate to eliminate all incorrect options until there is only one remain than to deduce the correct one from five options. This is particularly useful in Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning sections, where sometimes two of the options offered are relatively similar with the purpose of misleading students who are not familiar with this methodology.
5. Practice with Variety
Practicing with variety ensures that students are well-prepared for any surprises in the exam. There are plenty of varied mock papers because every exam board such as GL assessment, CEM, ISEB etc, all has its own style. By using different materials, students can become adaptive to different question styles and allows a feel for different question types that are likely to appear in the exam. This further boosts students’ confidence in tackling problems on test day even if questions are worded unusually. Start with simpler questions, then gradually increase the difficulty to stretch the ability of the students and continuously challenge them. Review their answers afterwards to better understand what they could have done better and learn from their errors.
Another benefit of using varied material is the improvement of speed of thinking. Practising mock papers under timed conditions will train students to manage time pressure more effectively. Aim to complete each paper in the same amount of time they will have in the actual exam. The more their practise session mirrors what they will face on the day, the more they will reap the benefits of said training, including the ability to handle pressure and reduce anxiety. On sections where regular mistakes are made or they find difficult, aim to complete more questions than usual.
The 11 Plus is unpredictable, and the best way to prepare is to be adaptable. When students practice with variety, they become flexible thinkers, capable of tackling any challenges thrown their way.
Ultimately, passing the 11 Plus entrance exam is a result of dedication, strategic planning, and effective skill development. By focusing on mastering essential skills, starting preparation early, understanding the test format, refining exam techniques, and embracing varied practice methods, students can maximise their chances of success. With the right approach and consistent effort, the path to securing a place at a top UK independent or grammar school becomes a rewarding and achievable goal.
Are you ready to unleash your full potential through consistent practice? The choice is yours, and the possibilities are endless. Start today and pave the way for a brighter academic future! Stay Connected with Dickson!
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