How to prepare for the Eleven Plus Exam?
Practice makes perfect
we have all heard this however more accurately it should read Practice, the results of which are known, makes perfect.
Throughout the country there are many different forms of grammar school selection tests and 11plus exams and so it is important that if you are to prepare your child properly for this very important eleven plus exam then you must find out exactly what type of test or tests your child will sit. Is it Verbal reasoning, non verbal reasoning, English, maths and is it multiple choice or traditional format elevenplus(11+) papers that they will be asked to take. Indeed the 11+ exam could be a combination of all the above!
Find out all that you can about the 11plus papers in your area and then prepare accordingly. This preparation for the eleven plus tests will improve your child's understanding of what is required but parental support and encouragement is crucial to your child's self-confidence and their attitude to their school work including preparing for the 11plus tests.
Many LAs provide familiarisation tests for the school pupils to complete either in school or at home. After these two or three practice papers state schools are often discouraged from providing any additional eleven plus practice papers yet many private or independent schools do provide additional practice papers and this will give these children an advantage when they come to sit the eleven plus papers for real.
There are many ways in which the interested parent can help their child to prepare for the eleven plus(11+)exams.
It is unlikely that this additional work can be done in two or three weeks before the exam is due to be taken but it will require a lot of time and effort from both parent and child.
Commercial Practice Papers
There are many versions of these on the market, available from good bookshops and on the Internet. Look for a publisher that employs experienced teachers at Key Stage Two level, as these books will reflect the knowledge that the author has gained in the classroom. The content should also be relevant to the eleven plus test that your child will sit. Practicing a variety of question types, in both traditional format and multiple choice, will help your child to become more confident in their own ability and will introduce them to a wide range of questions of varying difficulty. Many publishers of commercial eleven plus practice papers are listed in this site.
Epapers for Immediate Use
This a developing market and one useful source can be found on the Learning Together web site - a company that also produce skills and techniques books. (see below)
Private Tutors
Many parents send their child to private tutors either one to one or in a small group. In preparing your child for his or her 11+ exams you must be certain that the person that you entrust your child to is honest. trustworthy and does not present any threat to your child's safety and that you will get value for money. Sitting in a group of 15 or 20 pupils is not much different from being in a school classroom and personal attention to your child may be limited.
However attending a good tutor will usually be very beneficial for your child. Recommendations from friends and family can be a useful way to link to a good tutor.
Some publishers such as LEARNING TOGETHER publish skills and technique books on verbal reasoning and non verbal reasoning and we have found these to be very useful for parents that want to coach their own child.
Other Options
Other options include CD roms full of 11plus practice papers or on line tutors. At this stage we have little knowledge of either product but know of one company that have published a CD rom. Please contact us with your experiences of these two means of preparation.
Home
What is the Elevenplus exam?
Some facts on the 11 Plus reference to grammar schools, private schools, what is demanded, info. on Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning etc.
What Areas Still have 11 Plus Exam?
To assist you find your chosen grammar school or area using school grammar school selection tests we have arranged the information into regions.
How to Prepare for the eleven plus Exam.
Some thoughts on how to prepare, parental support, what the school might/might not do, online learning etc.