The 11 Plus exam is of great importance because it is used in England and Northern Ireland for entrance into grammar schools.
Passing the exam and actually gaining a place at one of the leading grammar schools is extremely difficult because the competition for places is intense; on average ten children apply for every one place. In England there are roughly 163-164 state-funded grammar schools; these are concentrated in small number of areas, chief of which are Kent, London, Lincolnshire, Buckinghamshire and Essex.
In Northern Ireland there are about 69 grammar schools.
What is the 11 Plus?
The 11 plus in an entrance exam taken at the age of 10 (or 11) in September at the beginning of Year 6. It is used as a test for admission to the selective grammar schools in England and Northern Ireland.
The exam tests your child’s skills in KS2 English and KS2 Maths and also their abilities in Reasoning, both Verbal and Non-Verbal. The format is multiple-choice. The syllabus used for most grammar schools is GL and your child will go in person to the actual grammar school to take the exam.
Preparing Your Child for the 11 Plus Exam.
Preparation is essential to give your child the best chance of success in the 11 plus exam. The ideal time to start preparation is 12 to 18 months before the exam date, from the middle of Year 4.
This is the required time frame for you as parent to go through the GL syllabus with your child.
What Preparation for the 11 Plus Exam Should Include
- Regular Practice (‘Little and Often’):focus should be on completing short tasks frequently. This bite-sized method achieves the goal of your child retaining the methods needed for each topic. Publications with 10-minute tests are helpful.
- A Structure Study Plan: practice is more effective when it is structured. An equal amount of time should be spent on the four subjects: Maths goes with Non-Verbal Reasoning, English with Verbal Reasoning.
Publications with individual topics help your child attain the level required.
- Diverse Study Materials: your child needs a variety of materials, to deepen their understanding from work books to mixed tests. Some online work can also help.
- Familiarity with Exam Format:confidence is gained along with effective time management when test papers and mock exams are utilised on a regular basis in the 4-6 months before the actual exam. With exam practice your child’s exam technique will improve.
The 11 Plus Exam Format
Most 11 plus exams sometimes include 3 or most often 4 of the following:
- English: in this section the exam tests your child on Spellings, Punctuation and Grammar as well as Comprehension;sometimes there is also a Writing question.
- Maths: this will include Arithmetic, Problem Solving, Numerical Reasoning and the main topics listed in the KS2 Maths Curriculum.
- Verbal Reasoning: this tests your child’s ability to Reason with Words, as well as Vocabulary and Verbal Puzzles like Codes or Letter Series.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: your child will have to interpret Codes used to stand for Shapes, Recognise Shape Patterns and changes and show understanding of Spatial Reasoning.
You need to be aware that the duration of the exam as well as the type of questions can vary depending on which regional education authority is supervising the exam. It is essential to check the website of the educational authority to see the exact structure and format of the exam your child will be taking.
Benefits of Going to a Grammar School
- Achievement: the distinct level of education in grammar schools will give your child the best chance of academic excellence as well as offering a constructive and stimulating environment.
- Peer Influence: the positive influence and the motivational nature of the other children around your child can increase your own child’s ambitions.
- Broader Development: grammar schools offer a full range of extracurricular activities from clubs to sports to art which ensures your child receives a broader, well-rounded development.
- Long-Term Advantage: grammar schools increase the probability of your child gaining the highest grades in GCSE and A level exams which in turn increase the chance of your child getting a place at one of the top universities.
Conclusion
With proper planning and resources, along with guidance from an expert tutor, your child can achieve success in the 11 plus Grammar School exams.
P. Kay Tutorial offers expert support and tailored lessons for children taking the London and Essex Grammar Schools exams. Visit pkaytutorial.co.uk for more details and the experienced tutor Philip Kay’s 11 plus tuition.