Advice 11 Plus Year 6 Supporting My Children Through the 11 Plus Journey

Supporting My Children Through the 11 Plus Journey

Hello, I’m Tony Zhang. As a parent and a professional from an academic background, I knew early on that my children’s education would be a journey we would navigate together, complete with its challenges and rewards. When I was invited by Exam Papers Plus to share my experience, I hoped to reach parents who, like me, have decided to guide their children through the selective 11 plus exam for grammar school. I hope my story and strategies help you gain insight into what has worked for us—and perhaps what might work for you.

11 Plus Journey: Choosing the Right School and Area

Our journey to the 11+ began years before the actual exams. With the UK housing market boom, we realised that balancing private education costs with saving for a home wouldn’t be feasible long term. We started looking for areas with good state education options, and Kingston upon Thames stood out, offering high-quality primary and secondary schools and a community we wanted to be part of.

Selective grammar schools in Kingston, namely —The Tiffin Girls’ School and Tiffin School—became our main targets. However, with fierce competition for limited spots, we also needed a backup plan. Kingston’s options helped immensely. Apart from the two Kingston grammar schools, we considered local comprehensive schools, including Grey Court School and The Kingston Academy. Having this plan allowed us to focus on preparing for the 11+ exams without the stress of constant “what-ifs” or potential relocations.

Formulating a Clear 11 Plus Preparation Strategy

Knowing our target schools helped shape a focused preparation strategy. The Tiffin schools only test in Math and English, so we excluded 11+ verbal reasoning and 11+ non-verbal reasoning from our prep, saving valuable time and energy.

Early on, we introduced both children to extra work outside of school. We started with a home-based education system which allocated exercises when Lianne was in Year 1. The systems approach, emphasised skills through repetition, helped build her stamina and focus. However, I don’t believe the system is suitable for long-term preparation. After a year, we transitioned to using practice papers, which better suited our needs with varied question types aligned to each child’s age and skill level. We gave them one practice paper per week, alternating between 11+ English and 11+ Maths, and this steady habit of extra work continued until Year 4.

Systematic 11 Plus Preparation in Year 4

Our structured 11+ preparation phase began in Year 4. We learned from Lianne’s experience and staggered Ethan’s start to avoid burnout. I felt Year 4 was the right time to go deeper, ensuring the children had strong foundations in key areas.

For 11+ Maths, we began by covering all fundamental topics from Key Stage 1 and 2, knowing the 11+ exams would require them to tackle all topics. This foundational phase didn’t last long—about a month—and we used Maths revision books. These books are detailed, covering methods, examples, and test questions, and served us well for both revision and learning new material. During this time, we focused on understanding the basic concepts rather than depth. We then added additional 11+ practice materials. Alongside exam practice papers, we also used mental arithmetic books, which consolidate KS1 and KS2 topics and include problem-solving questions. This approach, though gradual, helped develop the children’s problem-solving skills in a way that felt manageable and not overwhelming.

For 11+ English, reading was crucial. Lianne developed a reading habit naturally, while Ethan needed a little encouragement. I believe reading habits are foundational—not just for exams but for lifelong learning. We let them read for enjoyment but occasionally introduced slightly challenging books to stretch their abilities. Local libraries and their holiday reading challenges helped, too. Beyond reading, we used English practice exam papers for comprehensive practice, along with KS2 Comprehension exam practice books, which uses open-ended questions that build both reading and writing skills.

The Critical 11 Plus Preparation Stage

By Year 5’s autumn term, our general preparation phase was complete. After Christmas, we entered the critical stage. My advice to parents? Start with a school year planner. This simple tool was invaluable in keeping track of open days, registration deadlines, 11+ mock exams, and actual 11+test dates. Knowing exactly where we were in our timeline helped reduce stress and made planning manageable.

Mock exams play a big role in this phase. We registered Ethan for several, spacing them roughly a month apart from April to July. These 11+ mock tests, like those offered by Sutton Grammar School and Wilson’s grammar school, provide a valuable preview of the actual exams. Mock exams not only highlight areas to improve but also familiarise children with the exam setting, especially hall-based exams. For some children, sitting with hundreds of other students can be overwhelming, so getting accustomed to this environment is essential.

At this stage, we also incorporated Exam Papers Plus’s 11+ practice test papers. Selective grammar school exams are challenging, and Exam Papers Plus papers match the real exams closely in terms of difficulty and format. Knowing the questions would be tough, we started slow, allowing them unlimited time initially, then gradually shifting to timed tests. Reviewing each question, even those they answered correctly, was a priority. Were they using an efficient method? Could we extend the question to cover connected topics? EPPs video explanations were an added bonus, offering insights that helped us deepen our understanding.

Exam Papers Plus’s topic-specific papers are also an invaluable resource. These papers are versatile and helpful in strengthening weaker areas we identified. 

Mastering Time Management and 11 Plus Exam Techniques

In timed tests, one of the biggest challenges is time management. Grammar school entrance exams are often designed to be completed quickly, and many students find it hard to finish every question. Knowing when to skip a difficult question is a crucial skill. I encouraged the kids to keep calm and remember that if they found a question challenging, other students likely would, too. Learning to manage time, stay composed, and maximise marks in the limited time frame became an essential 11 plus exam strategy.

Navigating the Emotional 11 Plus Journey Together

The 11+ journey isn’t easy—it’s a climb, for both children and parents. My biggest advice to those just beginning this journey is not to let the exams become the sole focus of your child’s life. 11 Plus Preparation is important, but so is the playdate with a best friend, the school talent show, or the football game next weekend. Keeping life in balance helps children stay resilient and reduces stress.

When I began this journey with Lianne, I viewed it as a mutual commitment. This mindset of supporting each other fostered a sense of appreciation that sustained us through tough times. There will be moments when, no matter how hard we push, progress feels slow. Frustration is part of the process, and as parents, it’s our job to help find alternative paths when the current approach isn’t working. During these times, positive reinforcement is invaluable. Celebrating their efforts, no matter how small, is essential: “I really like how you approached this question!” or “I’m so impressed by the effort you’re putting in!” Positive feedback doesn’t just motivate—it reassures them that we’re proud of their growth and resilience.

As I write this, Ethan has recently sat his Tiffin School Stage 2 exam. We won’t know the results until March, but I already feel a sense of pride. Regardless of the outcome, when I pick him up today, I’ll tell him how proud I am of the hard work he’s put in. At the end of the day, the journey has been a lesson in perseverance, patience, and partnership for both of us.

What I Wish I’d Known and Advice for 2026 11 Plus Entry Parents

Based on Ethan’s feedback, it looks like there were some new question formats in the English section. For example, questions to explain the meaning of sentence like, “Clocks slay time… time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life.” require understanding of abstract or poetic language. Other questions include tasks like selecting a word to best describe an image or writing a short story inspired by an image. These types of questions test interpretive skills, creativity, and vocabulary in unique ways that may not have been part of standard practice materials.

As schools refine their testing strategies all the time, it can be valuable to occasionally explore more open-ended exercises to prepare children for potential surprises. Including tasks that encourage interpretative thinking, descriptive language, and creative responses might help bridge any gaps in 11+ preparation. Keep an eye out for updated Exam Papers Plus 11 plus practice tests as they constantly update their materials to align with the occurrence of new challenge with confidence.

Thank you for reading, question formats.

Looking back, the 11+ journey was a mix of strategy, adaptability, and, most importantly, mutual support between parents and kids. Keep the journey balanced and prioritise positive reinforcement. By working together, staying organised, and making room for play and family moments, you can help your child tackle this  and I wish you all the best on your own 11+ journey!

Exam Papers Plus Say …

We want to thank Tony for sharing his and his children’s 11+ experiences and hope you have found his blog interesting and informative.

Tony is our resident Exam Papers Plus parent and an educational expert, offering a wealth of educational consultancy services to parents. If you would like to contact him, please click here.

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