Eleven Plus Exams

Eleven Plus exams - head for success Whilst the UK Government has its own definition of Key Stages, one Key Stage that cannot be taken lightly by parents is the decision on whether or not your child should attempt the competitive world of the 11 plus examinations and scholarships. The examinations typically serve as part of the criteria for gaining entrance to both Grammar Schools and Senior Private Schools, the precursor to Universities.

These competitive examinations so early in life are in fact one of the most crucial decisions a parent can make, as it will probably significantly influence and impact the balance of your child’s life and career.

This website assumes that you have already made the decision for your son or daughter to attempt the 11 plus entrance examinations and that you are seeking to give your child the best possible chance of success in whichever school that you have elected.

Just as it is never too soon to start preparing for these examinations it is never too late either. In a situation where a single percentage point can make all the difference between success and failure it is clear that every minute spent in preparing your child is a minute invested in ensuring his or her future by enhancing his or her chances. Every day or week spent finding relevant material is potentially time lost when your child could have been working on it.

Negotiating 11 plus exams has always been a minefield since there is no real national standard examination, and what your child may be tested on can usually vary from school to school and from one LEA to another. To add to the complexity, schools from one year to another often change the format of their examination by changing the supplier of the examination papers or revising their own. Even once you have narrowed down the school(s) to apply for and the type of paper you are targeting, the process of preparation can be daunting and emotionally draining for both the parent and the child involved.

In relation to exams teachers advocate Practice, Practice and Practice but in the world of 11 plus examinations where do you start? Where do you get help? Where can you meet other parents experiencing what you are? Where can you find a tutor? What can and should you buy to help your child?

As a fellow desperate parent going through process, I have developed this website to ease the burden as far as possible and try and make at least some of the preparation lighter by creating something I wished already existed to help me. It is by no means complete however new features and sections are being added constantly, and I am funding the development of the website by sales from the online store which sells past papers and books.

The aim here at Eleven Plus Exams is to provide a valuable resource of entrance exam information as well as setting up a support forum of parents in the same situation. The website also seeks to provide a question databank for your children to practice certain types of question as well as participate in mock timed examinations online.

All eleven plus exams for Grammar school entrance and senior school entrance will have different selection process, but the exams for which your child will typically need to prepare for are:

Verbal reasoning (VR - problem solving with sequences of words, or numbers)
Non-verbal reasoning (Non-VR - reasoning with shapes, patterns and numbers)
Mathematics
English

Advanced preparation is key to success in the 11 plus selection process, as familiarisation with the exam papers will help you and your child identify areas of weakness for extra guidance and concentrated practice.

I have carried out an extensive search talking to teachers, authors, publishers and other parents who have successfully negotiated the process, and collated what I would consider as useful to have on such a website. I hope therefore that you find this website to be an invaluable resource in the critical months ahead. If there is anything missing or something useful I have missed or if there is anyone out there who wishes to actively contribute or if there is a book or software that we have missed please do not hesitate to contact us.

Finally, Good luck!