‘New’ Style 11+ Exams and the ‘Tutor-Proof’ Myth Busted (again!)

A recent article in The Times highlighted a move by Reading School to introduce a ‘tutor-proof’ 11+ entrance exam, designed to stop what the headteacher called the ‘insidious’ tutoring industry and ‘depriving pupils of their childhood’. This new test, which was used for the first time in 2025, purports to assess ‘flair’, ‘imaginative and critical thinking’ and ‘curiosity about the world.’

This is part of a recent, wider movement by some schools to provide more holistic, tutor-proof testing.

At first glance, this feels like a noble sentiment, the right thing to do: who doesn’t want a test that is well-rounded and assesses creativity whilst creating a level playing field? But, when looked at more closely, this feels like a reproach to both parents and educators; to read words like ‘insidious’ and ‘depriving’, suggests a direct critique of the desire to help children succeed.

So, let’s talk about why your support – whether it’s through your own time or that of a responsible tutor – is a positive engagement that should be encouraged and buttressed. And we wanted to give you (or your tutor!) some practical steps to help foster creative and critical thinking in your child. Contrary to what some schools will have you believe, there is no such thing as ‘tutor-proofing’. If there was, it would mean none of us could be coached in anything! 

The idea that a specific test cannot be prepared for is, respectfully, a myth. Taking the new FSCE 11+ exam referenced in The Times article as an example, we’re told that the papers focus on ‘flair’ and ‘creativity’ and that children need to ‘extrapolate and eliminate wrong answers’. 

Breaking Down the ‘Creativity Can’t Be Taught’ Misconception

Considering ‘flair’ and ‘creativity’, these qualities are often treated by examiners as unteachable, yet in a testing environment, they are simply examples of applied cognitive flexibility. Creativity in an exam isn’t about waiting for a spark of genius; it is the confidence to play with variables, ask questions and look at a problem from multiple angles whilst under specific pressures such as time and the requirement to work independently. A good tutor, teacher or parent doesn’t teach a child to rote-learn creativity, but what they do do is teach them a set of mental models and ways to interrogate the problem they are faced with. In addition, they also engender a sense of psychological safety needed to tackle a topic they haven’t seen before; they encourage children to be confident in taking educated guesses and seeking new ideas. By breaking down the creative process into manageable strategies, a seemingly daunting ‘tutor-proof’ obstacle is transformed into an intellectual challenge that can be tackled.

The second part of this is extrapolation and elimination – essentially asking candidates to think logically. Whilst we are all born with a basic capacity for logic, the ability to apply it effectively is a skill that can be developed with consistent practice and coaching. The skill of elimination involves teaching a child to look at, for example, four options and say, ‘I know it’s not A because of X, and it’s not B because of Y’; and extrapolation means helping a child to understand that by taking a small piece of known information and applying it to a new, unfamiliar scenario they can solve a similar or analogous problem.

What do Many of the ‘New’ 11+ Tests Require?

Many of the ‘new’ papers and questions represent a shift toward applied logic and contextual reasoning. As we’ve already said, they aren’t testing what a child knows (rote facts), but how they think (deductive reasoning). 

The goal here is to help your child understand they need to look for patterns, identify anomalies and contradictions and understand the purpose behind an action.

We’ve highlighted three skills below that we’ve noticed being tested at 11+, (specifically by Reading School but by other – more often than not – independent schools too) and provided some ideas for how you can help develop these skills in your child. 

Other Ways to Foster Creative Thinking at Home

Aim to move away from rote learning, stuck ideas and stock phrases and toward genuine engagement. Here are further ways you can help your children find their voice and organically build that ‘flair’ that schools – not just Reading School! – are looking for:

• When reading, ask ‘Why?’: Instead of asking your child what happened in a story, ask why they think the character did it. Do they agree with the character’s actions? What might they have done differently? This builds ‘critical thinking’ skills. 

• ‘IRL’ examples: When you see a news headline or a historical plaque, ask: ‘Who wrote this? What were they trying to make us feel?’ This encourages children to question motivation and reliability of information. 
• Read for joy: Reading deeply only happens when a child is obsessed with a topic, author, character or story. Whether it’s graphic novels, space or football biographies, the skill of absorbing information is transferable.
• Instil confidence: This means being okay with making a best guess based on what you know, encouraging them to have a go when they don’t have all the answers and encouraging them to find creative solutions. No thoughtful idea is a bad idea.

Success in the 11-plus is often a mixture of hard work, preparation, curiosity, and, let’s be honest, a bit of luck: luck in having a great primary school teacher, luck in having supportive grandparents or luck in being born with a certain temperament. But the rest can be cultivated, practised and improved upon. 

We know that parents have to use the tools at their disposal. For some, that tool is time; for others, it’s a tutor who can provide the structure a child needs to shine. Neither is ‘insidious’. 

You are your child’s first and most important advocate. Whether you are working through practice papers at the kitchen table or finding a tutor who inspires them to read widely, you are doing your job. So please don’t feel guilty. Instead, start celebrating the many different ways you can help your children flourish.

And we’re always here to help you, so please drop us a line here with any questions or worries you might have. 

We’ve also suggested some resources below, which you might find helpful:

The original article referenced in this post appeared in The Times on 6th February 2026 and can be read here. You will need a subscription to The Times newspaper to access it. 

Further reading:

What is FSCE?

Reading School for Boys 11+ Entrance Exam Information