Grammar schools are pretty impressive, and if you attend an open day, you’ll walk away with a sense of conviction that it’s the perfect school for your child. But then you hit the reality of what’s to come: 11+ exam preparation. Where to start? What if your child doesn’t know all the topics? And do they need to revise? We’ve put together this non-nonsense 11+ revision guide to act as your complete checklist. Print it out, and keep it by your side.
Timing: When Should You Start 11+ Revision?
Timings for 11+ revisions can be confusing and controversial. Suppose you have already begun exploring this topic. In that case, you’ll probably come across the parent who had a rigid schedule from year 2 and another who swore their child got top marks without a single revision day.
As with most things, the answer lies with some sort of balance. Even the smartest kids benefit from revision for a grammar school entrance exam because the exam format isn’t like what they will have seen in school, and you don’t want to knock their confidence by leaving that format until the big day. But start too early, and there’s a real chance your kid will feel burned out and might reveal it the next time you open a study book.
A good plan is to start around 9-12 months before the exam, keeping that early material light. This will give your child a better chance of walking into that exam day with confidence. Focus on identifying gaps and strengthening core skills, such as reading and mental math. More targeted revision is best kept to around 3-4 months before the first exam, which should include some practice papers and timed tests. Keep the study time pressure-free, build it gradually, and avoid cramming.
11+ Revision Guide: Complete Checklist for Parents
Revision guides are an essential part of any exam, and when it comes to the 11+, this falls on you, as the parent, to set this up, as children of this age won’t have the organisational skills. Here is a brief checklist to guide your child’s 11+ revision, along with a few practical tips. Whatever date you begin revising before the exam, these are some of the items worth ticking off before the big day.
Planning & Organisation
- You have a structured revision timetable that fits your child’s routine
- You have created time each week for fun activities and lots of breaks
- You’ve bought some practice workbooks
- You’ve bought some practice exam papers
- You’ve checked key information online about 11+ exams in your local area for your school of choice and how to qualify (note: some have catchment area rules)
- You’ve checked key information online for independent school entrance exams if you are applying for private schools or an academic scholarship
- Optional: Keep a folder to gather all books, papers, and note papers together
Maths
- You’ve reviewed the key material for the 11+ maths curriculum with your child to spot their weak areas, which is helpful insight when planning your revision timetable
- You’ve invested in new books like a maths revision guide or learning programs to tackle their weaker areas
- You’ve got them doing some speedy mental maths
- You’ve introduced long, worded maths problems to your child
- Your child has attempted a non-timed maths exam paper
- Your child has attempted a timed math paper
- You have given your children stretching content for maths if they are applying for any of the highly competitive top 10 grammars in the UK
- Go through detailed answer guidance with them on areas they consistently struggle to answer correctly
English
- Your child reads a range of fiction books, including a few classics or older books, to help broaden their vocabulary (we highly recommend the Cadwaladr Quests Series!)
- Your child reads some nonfiction topics each week – try a news article online, The Week Junior, National Geographic, or Phoenix comics
- You read your child’s school report to help put together an English revision guide that tackles their weaker areas
- You’ve reviewed the English syllabus for the 11+ in your area and looked at any extra content they need to learn if applying to the most competitive schools
- Invest in a comprehension workbook and English practice book to get your child used to the exam format
- Your child is practising their spelling each week
- Your child has practised an English paper under non-timed conditions
- Your child has practised an English paper under timed conditions
- Your child has practised a comprehension paper under timed conditions
- Optional: Your child has practised methods for writing good essays or fine-tuned their creative writing (check the local exam board as not all state school exams will ask for this, but many independent school entrance exams will)
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
- You’ve tried different question types for the example (there is quite a lot of variance, so the more familiar they are with these, the better for their non verbal and verbal reasoning skills)
- You’ve given them extra verbal reasoning study time on weaker areas
- You’ve got them trying word puzzles like crosswords and word searches (our Smarty Panthers vocabulary workbook is the perfect resource for this!).
- You have given them extension material to try if they are applying to the most competitive grammar schools or private school scholarships
- You’ve practised some reasoning sample tests under non-timed conditions
- You’ve practised a formal reasoning paper under timed conditions
General Preparation
- You’ve booked your child in for a face-to-face mock test (most local areas provide them)
- You’ll keep your child’s progress tracked
- You’ve helped your child stay positive and relaxed
- You’ve booked your child in for the exam day (areas have deadlines for booking, so check the dates and don’t miss them!)
- You’ve planned how to get to the exam venue on the actual test day
How to Plan and Structure Your Complete Revision Timetable at Home
Remember that revision is new to this age group, so even if you have your own memories of exam day, you’re probably thinking back to a time when you were 15 or 16 at least. For a nine or ten-year-old, you need to shape revision to a more personalised experience and make it fun. Don’t try to push for study periods longer than 20 or 30 minutes, and possibly even less, depending on your child’s personality and energy levels. When starting, opt for something easy, such as a warm-up mental maths challenge or a word game like a word search. After that, focus on questions that tests understanding of key concepts.
As you get nearer to the exam, build in some timed practice. Kids tend to get really stressed with timed conditions, so don’t start with a complete exam paper. Instead, start with a short paper with a 10-minute time limit and opt for a level that is slightly too easy for them to help build confidence. Think of taking timed exams much like strengthening a muscle: small, repeated practice will improve that skill, but making it too hard at the start could set you back.
Remember to add in small mini-celebrations when they hit revision milestones. It’s crucial kids recognise that you value the effort they are putting in, not the end result.
11+ Revision Guide: Some Final Thoughts
We hope this essential revision guide has been valuable. Remember: staying organised and consistent with your support can make a huge difference. Whether you are opting for a local grammar school or prepping for a wide range of independent school exams, having a plan of action gives your child the best chance of success. Don’t forget to boost your child’s practice with our specially designed Smarty Panthers workbooks. Our unique story-based approach makes them more accessible and engaging for children. Browse our workbooks here to secure your essential study material.
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