Preparing for the 11 Plus exam can be a daunting journey for many students and their parents. From managing the volume of work to handling test anxiety, the process can come with its share of challenges. Understanding these obstacles and learning how to address them can make the experience smoother and more productive for everyone involved. Here are some common 11 Plus challenges that your child might encounter and practical ways parents can help overcome them:
1. Lack of Confidence
Many students feel overwhelmed by the volume of content they need to learn for the 11 Plus entrance exam. Whilst most of the topics are covered in school, some topics in the 11 Plus exams include Year 6 content that your child won’t have learnt yet. Additionally, VR is not included in the national curriculum. This can sometimes lead to a lack of confidence in their ability, resulting in hesitation when tackling challenging questions or a fear of failure.
How to overcome a lack of confidence:
Celebrate Progress: Regularly highlight your child’s achievements, no matter how small. Success builds confidence over time.
Targeted Practice: Focus on specific areas of difficulty to help your child build understanding and feel more in control. Breaking things down into smaller chunks can help revision focus.
Positive Reinforcement: Remind your child that mistakes are part of the learning process and that consistent effort leads to progress.
2. Struggling with Time Management
The 11 Plus exam is timed, and many students find it challenging to complete all the questions within the allotted time. Poor time management can lead to unfinished papers, lost marks and unnecessary stress.
How to overcome poor time management:
- Understanding the Exam Format: Different grammar schools have different exam procedures—some use audio instructions, while others require students to work independently or wait for prompts. Understanding the specific format your child will face is essential, as it allows them to practise effectively and approach the exam with confidence.
- Practice Papers: Regularly practice past papers to build familiarisation with questions, speed and efficiency.
- Teach Prioritisation: Show your child how to identify and answer easier questions first before tackling harder ones. This builds confidence. They don’t always have to answer the questions in sequential order.
- Use Time Targets: Break the exam into smaller sections and allocate specific time limits for each part. This is a great way to familiarise them with question structure and helps improve speed and accuracy.
3. Difficulty Understanding Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Verbal (letters & words) and non-verbal (shapes & diagrams) reasoning tests your child’s cognitive ability i.e. understanding patterns, spotting connections and solving problems, are often unfamiliar to students as these skills aren’t conventionally taught in schools and can be particularly challenging if they haven’t encountered these question types before.
Be aware that not all entrance exams include non-verbal reasoning. Get to know what your preferred grammar schools do include in their entrance exams before you start preparing.
It’s important for your child to master the basics of VR first, timing isn’t as important as understanding what is being asked. So allow your child as long as they need to complete questions. Once they’ve learnt the skill, you can then move onto timed questions.
How to overcome 11 Plus challenges with verbal and non-verbal reasoning:
- Break It Down: Teach your child to analyse the structure of reasoning questions step by step.
- Use Practice Resources: Invest in books, online tools, or apps specifically designed for reasoning practice.
- Make It Fun: Turn reasoning exercises into games to make them less intimidating.
4. Balancing 11 Plus Preparation with Other Commitments
Balancing 11 Plus prep with other commitments can be tough, especially as students juggle school, activities, and downtime. With exams often scheduled for September, the summer break presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Without structure, children risk the “summer slide,” forgetting key skills in maths and reading. A light, consistent learning routine over the holidays can help them stay focused, avoid burnout, and enter the new term confident and prepared.
How to overcome balancing 11 plus prep with busy schedules:
- Create a timetable: Develop a realistic 11 Plus study plan that balances study and leisure time.
- Set Priorities: Identify key areas your child is less familiar with- use the questions your child got wrong in tests or practice papers to identify weaker areas, and allocate extra time to focus on those topics.
- Encourage Breaks: Ensure your child has time to relax and recharge to maintain motivation. Think about the best time to do the work – is it first thing in the morning?
5. Lack of Motivation
Long-term preparation can sometimes lead to waning motivation, especially if the process feels monotonous or overwhelming.
How to overcome lack of motivation:
- Set Goals: Break up preparation into smaller, achievable milestones and celebrate when they’re reached. Remember, you can’t eat an elephant in one go and this is true for preparing for the 11 Plus. Breaking things into small bite size chunks is the best way to get ahead.
- Incorporate Variety: Use a mix of activities to aid learning and understanding, such as quizzes, flashcards, 10-minute tests and games, to keep learning fresh and engaging.
- Provide Rewards: Offer incentives for completing tasks or achieving progress to encourage sustained effort i.e. 20 minutes game time, going out for ice cream.
6. Dealing with Exam Anxiety
Fear of underperforming can lead to anxiety, which negatively impacts on your child’s concentration and performance during preparation and on the exam day. It’s important to recognise this and not push your child too hard. Have a conversation with them to ensure this is what they want to do. There’s no point in pressurising them to the point of making them ill or having sleepless nights. Be realistic and ensure this is the right decision for your child.
How to overcome Exam anxiety:
- Practice Relaxation Techniques: Teach your child simple breathing exercises or mindfulness practices to manage stress e.g. box breathing or 5,4,3,2,1.
- Simulate Exam Conditions: Familiarity with the exam environment through mock tests can reduce nerves.
- Keep Perspective: Reassure your child that their best effort is what truly matters and that one exam doesn’t define their future
7. Inconsistent Progress
Some students excel in certain subjects while struggling in others, leading to inconsistent uneven preparation and frustration. Ideally students should aim to perform consistently across each subject, in order to put themselves in the best possible position to be successful in the exam.
How to overcome inconsistent progress
- Identify Weak Spots: Use test results to pinpoint specific areas needing improvement.
- Personalised Support: Focus extra practice on weaker areas while continuing to build on strengths.
- Seek Help: Consider hiring a tutor or using online resources to address challenging topics.
8. Limited Understanding of Exam Techniques
Even well-prepared students can struggle if they don’t know how to approach the exam effectively.
How to get 11 Plus exam ready:
- Teach Exam Strategies: Show your child techniques like skimming passages, writing out words to double check their spellings, eliminating wrong answers, and double-checking work.
- Review Mistakes: Go over incorrect answers in practice tests with your child to ensure they understands where they went wrong and learn from them.
- Simulate Real Exams: Regular practice in exam conditions helps refine techniques and builds familiarity. A great way to put what they’ve learnt into practice is by arranging for your child to attend an 11 Plus Mock Exam, so that they can practice under real exam conditions, build confidence ahead of the big day and apply what they’ve learnt in a realistic setting.
Final Thoughts on How to Help Your Child Thrive in their 11 Plus Prep
While the 11 Plus preparation process can be challenging, it’s also an opportunity for growth, skill development and provides children with a strong foundation across the whole curriculum, that will benefit them beyond the 11 Plus. By addressing these common challenges with patience and practical solutions, you can help your child navigate the journey with confidence and achieve success. Remember, every child learns at their own pace—supporting their individual needs is key to their progress.