How to Prepare for 11 Plus During Easter with our Timetable

Navigating the 11+ journey with your child can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right approach, it can become a structured and rewarding experience that your child responds positively to. We’ve created this comprehensive guide, complete with a two-week 11 plus planner, to show you how to make the most of Easter for 11+ prep.

In the sections below, we’ll start with understanding your child’s learning rhythm and why it’s important to build a strong foundation in essential skills as your first steps. We’ll then explore how to create a balanced 11 plus Easter revision planner to make the most of the period – better yet, we show you how to involve your child in building the planner so that they feel included and take ownership of the plan. Since it’s the holidays, we also share combining Easter fun with 11+ prep through learning activities to maintain motivation and prevent 11+ burnout. We then cover the importance of developing flexible thinking, which is a vital component of 11+ success, and the best ways to encourage adaptability. Finally, we share our advice on tutors, strategies for how to prepare for 11 plus at home through progressive skills-building as well as essential tips for getting started with the 11+.

Why Easter is Your Perfect 11+ Preparation Launchpad

By Easter, your child will have covered most of the English and maths national curriculum at school, providing an excellent foundation to build upon. This timing allows you to gradually introduce reasoning question types whilst consolidating and extending their current learning. Over the following months, you will be able to ensure they develop a comprehensive understanding of all subjects and question formats before the autumn exams.

Here’s why Easter is an excellent time to boost your child’s 11+ preparation for several strategic reasons:

• The timing is perfect – typically falling around April, Easter gives you roughly 4-5 months before the September/October exams, an ideal preparation window allowing for a gradual approach.
• This is the first longer holiday of the year and without the demands of school, you can be focused and accomplish more in a shorter amount of time.
• You’ll have the summer holidays ahead for more focused practice once foundations are consolidated.
• You have the perfect excuse to ‘bribe’ them with chocolate! (Okay, maybe we don’t recommend this, but we wanted to make you laugh!)

Understanding Your Child’s Learning Rhythm

Every child approaches learning differently, and there’s no one-size-fits-all method for 11+ preparation. Some children thrive with intensive short-term learning, while others prefer a gentler ‘little and often’ approach over a longer period. Most children fall somewhere in between. If you’re not sure how your child will respond, then beginning at Easter will give you enough time to adjust your approach based on what works best for them.

Starting at Easter provides the flexibility to try different learning styles and strategies, observe how your child responds and fine-tune your preparation plan. This adaptive approach often leads to better results than committing to a rigid schedule from the start. You’ll have time to identify strengths to build upon and areas that need more attention, creating a customised preparation journey that matches your child’s unique learning profile.

Consolidate and Build 11+ Skills Over Easter

Easter provides the perfect foundation-building opportunity. Taking a progressive approach prevents discouragement and builds momentum.

Practising various topics and question types is essential – it keeps your child engaged and builds mental flexibility, which is exactly what 11+ exams require. Since entrance exams cover multiple subjects and often include critical thinking and reasoning challenges too, your child needs to develop versatility.

Balance time between subjects your child enjoys and those they find challenging. This approach builds confidence in familiar areas while strengthening weaker ones.

Starting at Easter gives you plenty of time to expose your child to this variety without overwhelming them, helping them become a more adaptable, confident learner before the 11+ exams begin in the autumn.

Creating a Balanced Preparation Timeline

Starting at Easter gives you an ideal window before autumn exams. This 4-5 month period allows for gradual skill-building without rushing or creating stress. Even completing just a few practice papers during this time will significantly boost your child’s confidence compared to going in unprepared.

Creating Your Timetable Together

Use the Easter holiday to sit down with your child and design their preparation schedule together. Let them help choose study times and free periods across the coming months. This collaborative approach helps them mentally prepare for the journey ahead.

Remember, starting at Easter gives you flexibility to adjust your approach based on what works best for your child. You’ll have ample time to identify strengths and address challenges, creating a customised preparation journey that respects their unique learning style.

11 Plus Revision Guide for Easter Holidays

Download Our Free Easter Timetable and Expert Guide PDF!

When it comes to building an Easter 11+ timetable, you may have questions, like “is Easter the best time to revise for 11 plus exam?”, or “How much should my child study for 11 plus at Easter?”

Here’s our suggested timetable for what to cover for 11 plus during Easter, based on our experience of working with thousands of parents and children over the years. Below, we also outline how to create a personalised 11 plus planner for Easter if you prefer to customise the plan further for your child.

The aim of Week 1 is to provide a well-structured timetable that ensures a balanced mix of learning, review and relaxation. It works because:

• It covers progressive skill-building in the form of full Practice Papers at the beginning of the week to assess your child’s response to simulated exam conditions.
• Targeted skills sessions on vocabulary, comprehension and reasoning can identify areas of strength and weakness early on and allow for plenty of review time and learning points to be integrated into later preparation plans.
• It takes a balanced approach with breaks and short activities to prevent burnout.
• It has realistic time allocations – study sessions for your child’s age group should range from 10 to 50 minutes and should align with their attention span.
• Longer, demanding tasks like full practice papers are in the morning when focus is at its highest. Shorter, engaging tasks like games and creative writing are spread throughout the week to maximise productivity while keeping the workload manageable.
• A visit to the library or bookshop on Friday allows for freedom to choose books they want to read!
• The rest day on Sunday ensures proper recovery before another week of preparation.

Here’s what you need to know about Week 2:

• This is the time for more advanced and targeted practice such as practising specific exam techniques like problem-solving strategies, inference and deduction and poetry, for example. These would be a strategic progression from the foundation skills covered in Week 1.
• There’s more emphasis on reviewing and applying concepts through exercise.
• Week 2 incorporates multiple timed practice papers to increase exam simulation and strategy development.
• There’s a greater focus on reviewing and marking together, which reinforces self-correction and deeper understanding. 
• More variety and challenging activities are introduced, which keep your child engaged and motivated.
• There’s more focus on reviewing writing techniques, discussing improvements, and shifting towards refining rather than just learning.
• Greater incorporation of relaxation and motivation strategies through educational outings, reward activities and activities for pleasure to prevent overwhelm.
  

Combining Easter Fun with 11+ Prep to Maintain Balance

You may be asking yourself how to boost 11 plus exam confidence over Easter. Well, the Easter break is perfect for introducing diverse learning activities that make preparation engaging and confidence-boosting:

• Learn new vocabulary and boost debate through family conversations.
• Create flashcards for key terms during rainy Easter days – if you’re in the UK, this might happen!
• Play word and maths games, puzzles and word searches with Easter guests and family visitors – share the load!
• Balance work and play. For every learning session, plan something fun for afterwards. This creates natural motivation, prevents burnout and teaches the importance of balance.
• Take learning outdoors – move maths practice to the park, do reading at the beach or turn nature walks into creative writing inspirations.
• Use travel time wisely – turn car, plane or boat journeys into learning opportunities with audiobooks, educational podcasts or verbal reasoning games like Chants of Sennar.
• Start holiday projects that incorporate multiple skills (like researching and creating a presentation about your holiday destination – great interview practice!)
• Start a family book club where everyone reads the same book to discuss.
• Let your child’s natural curiosity guide some of their learning since you’re less pushed for time during the holidays. Research topics they’re passionate about or find educational activities related to their hobbies.
• Use technology thoughtfully. Incorporate carefully selected educational apps like Photomath or Khan Academy, or online resources from Pretest Plus, setting clear time limits and learning goals.
• Practice ‘little and often’. Consistent, short bursts of learning are effective.
• The Easter holidays are filled with opportunities for enriching experiences – museum visits, cultural events, music, sport and family outings – all building knowledge that supports exam success.

The Right Time to Develop Flexible Thinking

Easter marks the perfect starting point to develop the mental flexibility needed for the 11+:

• Begin practising across different topics during the holiday; you have time to look at many topics, thus identifying the ones that will need more work during term time.
• Do LOTS of reading! Reading remains the single most powerful tool for 11+ success. Encourage your child to explore various genres and reading materials. Check out our list of recommended titles if you need ideas. If reading is challenging for your child, make it a shared activity – read together, listen to audiobooks or take turns reading aloud.
• Familiarise your child with both multiple-choice and standard format questions – most schools, especially those that have first and second round exams, will test both types of questions. Plus, it’s been proven that those children who prepare for multiple-choice question (MCQ) papers by undertaking open-ended, full answer questions too, always perform better and with more confidence and efficiency than those who have only practised with MCQ papers.

How to Avoid Easter Burnout During 11+ Prep

Quality always beats quantity in 11+ preparation. Starting at Easter allows you to create a balanced timetable that includes:

• Short, focused study sessions
• Plenty of outdoor time as the weather improves
• Physical activities to break up mental work
• Hobbies and relaxation throughout

When children see there’s time for both work and play spread across several months, they view their 11+ timetable as balanced and achievable.

Should My Child Do An 11+ Easter Course?

That decision will depend on your child and where they are on their 11+ journey. At Exam Papers Plus, we offer a range of support services and resources to meet your child where they’re at. For example:

• If your child needs intensive skills development, consider our in-person Easter courses. With options for English, Maths, and ISEB Pretest/London Consortium, led by our expert tutors, your child will come away empowered, and you’ll have a roadmap for further 11+ preparation.
• If your child will benefit from specific skills development and enjoys the combination of individual and group work in an online environment, then explore our Online Clinics taught by the best tutors around. These 90-minute sessions can be taken individually or as a series.
• If your child does well with independent self-learning, browse our Masterclass Video Series, where you can choose from bite-sized skill-specific learning or full Masterclasses tailored to the GL Assessment

Expert Advice: Exam Papers Plus Clinics and Masterclasses are ideal to slot into your 2-week Easter timetable.

The Tutor Question – 11 Plus Coaching

If your child is finding preparation challenging or if practice is affecting your relationship, a private tutor might be worth considering. Benefits include:

• Undivided professional attention
• Accurate assessment of your child’s specific needs
• Fresh motivation from working with someone new
• Expert knowledge of exam requirements

Finding a tutor can be challenging, and it’s an additional expense that isn’t accessible to everyone. If you decide to explore this option, seek recommendations from parents whose children have successfully completed the 11+ and look for tutors with proven track records. You can also explore our Online Tutoring service, where we have experienced tutors ready to provide one-on-one support and guide your little one towards 11+ success. Contact us if you have questions about our tutors.

Building Skills Progressively

Start with easier materials and gradually increase difficulty as your child’s confidence and abilities grow. Revisit previously learned concepts regularly to strengthen understanding and retention.

Avoid beginning with advanced materials that might discourage your child. Success builds upon success, so start with concepts they can master and move forward in small, manageable steps.

For example, begin with broad practice using our 11+ Practice Paper Packs. We have multiple packs (each containing 4 papers), for both independent and grammar school-style exams. They cover all four subjects and offer a comprehensive mix of question types. We then recommend progressing to targeted skills preparation to fill knowledge gaps using our Skills Packs, before finally moving on to our School-Specific Practice Papers, 10-Minute Tests and Mock Exams.

And remember, if you’re building an 11+ plan for at-home study, choose practice materials from reputable publishers or educational websites with content created by experienced teachers who understand the exam requirements.

Getting Started with the 11+

You’re not alone if you feel uncertain about the 11+ process. Many parents find it daunting initially, but with the right information and approach, you can confidently guide your child through this important milestone.

To help you navigate this journey, we’ve created a comprehensive guide covering everything you need to know—from understanding the exam in your area to creating an effective revision schedule.

For more detailed information, read our article “The 11+ Exam: A Parent’s Guide” – packed with helpful insights for every stage of the process. You can also browse all our 11+ papers and resources to find the best materials to help your child prepare well and enjoy the process too!

Above all, keep in mind that the 11+ journey is not just about the destination but about the valuable skills and confidence your child develops along the way. With patience, encouragement, and the right resources, you can make this experience positive and rewarding for your child. We’re here for you and your child! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the right resources for your child.