Complete Guide to 11+ Maths Preparation 2026: When to Start, What to Study and How to Succeed

January 13, 2026

Is your child doing the 11+? You're not alone. With only 164 grammar schools in England and thousands of families competing for places, preparation isn't just helpful, it's essential.

I'm Aadam, and I've been tutoring students for 11+ and GCSE exams for over five years at SHLC. I've helped dozens of families navigate 11+ preparation, and I've seen exactly what works, what doesn't, and how to maximise your child's chances of success.

This complete guide covers everything you need to know: understanding exam formats, knowing when to start based on your child's current level, which topics to master, the best resources to use, and how to create an effective daily practice routine.

Understanding the 11+ Exam Landscape

Before diving into preparation, you need to understand what your child faces.

The 11+ exam tests English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non Verbal Reasoning. However, not all 11+ exams are the same. There are two main exam boards, and understanding which one your child will sit is crucial.

GL Assessment (Most Common)

GL Assessment is the most widely used provider of 11+ exams across England, particularly for grammar school entry. If you've heard of the Kent Test or Buckinghamshire's 11+, these use the GL format.

GL Format:

Separate subject papers: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non Verbal Reasoning tested in distinct papers
Question types: Mix of multiple choice and standard format (written answers)
Timing: Each paper typically 45 minutes to 1 hour
Curriculum aligned: Content reflects what children learn in school
Published materials: GL provides practice papers, making preparation more predictable
Regions using GL: Birmingham, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Kent, Lancashire & Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Medway, Northern Ireland, Warwickshire

CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring)

Important update: In late 2022, CEM announced they were switching to online exams (CEM Select) and no longer providing standard 11+ papers. Most grammar schools have switched to GL for the 2023-24 admissions season onwards. However, CEM Select is still used by approximately 40 independent schools.

CEM Format (where still used):

Mixed subject papers: One paper tests English and Verbal Reasoning together, another tests Maths and Non Verbal Reasoning together
Question types: Sections switch between subjects (short maths problems, then non verbal, then word problems)
Timing: More time pressured and unpredictable
Less curriculum aligned: Designed to be more "tutor proof" with no published practice papers
Emphasis on vocabulary: Success heavily dependent on wide ranging vocabulary

Regions previously using CEM: Berkshire, Bexley, Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Walsall, Wolverhampton

Mixed regions (schools may use either): Devon, Essex, Hertfordshire, Trafford, Wiltshire, Wirral, Yorkshire

Independent Schools

Many independent schools set their own entrance exams or use:

ISEB Common Pre Test: Online adaptive assessment used by 70+ independent schools
School specific exams: Tailored to each school's requirements

Independent schools often use CEM style formats, making preparation less predictable than GL.

Action step: Contact your target schools' admissions offices directly to confirm which exam format they use. Never assume based on region alone, as formats can change year to year.

When to Start: The Three Student Groups

Not all children need the same preparation timeline. Based on your child's current ability, here's when they should start:

Group A: Top Performers (Top 10%)

Profile: Always getting full marks, excelling across all subjects, confident mathematicians.

When to start: Latest by January Year 5, ideally September Year 5

Preparation timeline: 12-15 months

Why this timeline works: These students already have strong foundations. They need exposure to 11+ question styles and exam technique rather than basic skill building. Starting September Year 5 gives enough time to:

Master all 11+ specific topics
Complete extensive past paper practice
Build exam confidence and time management
Feel fully ready by summer Year 5

By summer holidays before Year 6, they should be completing practice papers confidently. When September exams arrive, they walk in calm and prepared.

Group B: Average Performers (Middle 50%)

Profile: Solid understanding, doesn't excel in anything specifically but capable across subjects, could achieve with proper guidance.

When to start: Christmas or January Year 4

Preparation timeline: 18-21 months

Why this timeline works: These students need time building arithmetic fundamentals before tackling 11+ complexity. Starting Christmas Year 4 allows:

Year 4 spring/summer: Build arithmetic speed and accuracy
Year 5 autumn/spring: Master 11+ topics systematically
Year 5 summer onwards: Extensive practice paper work
Summer Year 5: Ready for September exams
The extra 6 months compared to Group A focuses on solidifying basics (times tables, mental arithmetic, fractions) using resources like Schofield & Sims before moving to advanced content.

Group C: Struggling Students (Bottom 40%)

Profile: Gaps in basic times tables, addition, subtraction, place value. Need significant support to reach 11+ standard.

When to start: End of Year 3 or start of Year 4

Preparation timeline: 24-30 months

Why this timeline works: These students need the most ground to cover. Many will move from bottom sets to top sets through intensive preparation. Starting Year 3/4 allows:

Year 3 summer / Year 4 autumn: Build absolute basics (times tables, arithmetic)
Year 4 spring/summer: Strengthen foundations systematically
Year 5: Master 11+ topics at appropriate pace
Year 5 summer onwards: Practice papers and exam technique

This extended timeline removes pressure, allowing steady, sustainable progress. Slow and steady, building strong foundations, means they start Year 5 in genuinely good position.

The 15 Most Important Topics for 11+ Maths

Based on hundreds of students I've tutored, these are the topics that consistently appear and cause the most difficulty:

Foundation Topics (Must Be Automatic)

Times Tables (up to 12×12): Non negotiable. If these aren't instant, everything else struggles. See my guide on mastering times tables in hours.
Place Value and Rounding: Understanding what digits represent in numbers, rounding to nearest 10, 100, 1000, and decimal places.
Long Multiplication and Division: Column methods for multiplying and dividing large numbers including decimals.
Fractions (All Operations): Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing fractions. Converting between mixed and improper. Finding fractions of amounts.

Common Struggle Topics (Practice Heavily)

Reverse Percentages: Finding original amounts after percentage increases/decreases. This consistently trips students up.
Ratio and Proportion: Simplifying ratios, sharing amounts in given ratios, scale problems.
Long Word Problems: Multi step problems requiring careful reading and planning. Often combine several topics.
Simultaneous Equations (Simple): Basic two variable equations that top students encounter.
Interior and Exterior Angles: Calculating angles in polygons, including using formulas for interior angle sums.
Sequences (Nth Term): Linear sequences, finding the nth term rule, geometric sequences, alternating sequences.

Advanced Topics (For Strong Students)

Algebra: Collecting like terms, creating expressions, substitution, solving two step equations, expanding and factorising.
Quadratic Factorising Skills: Basic factorising of expressions like x² + 5x + 6.
Data Analysis: Reading complex tables, calculating averages (mean, median, mode, range), identifying misleading data presentations.
Compound Measures: Speed, distance, time calculations. Units and conversions. Time calculations.
Probability (Multiple Events): Tree diagrams, sample spaces, exhaustive events, combined probabilities.

Additional topics covered (non-exhaustive list):

Negative numbers operations
Squares, cubes and roots
BIDMAS order of operations
HCF, LCM, Prime Factorisation
FDP (Fraction Decimal Percentage conversions)
2D shapes (perimeter and area)
3D shapes (volume and surface area)
Coordinates and lines on graphs
Transformations
Symmetry

For comprehensive free resources on all these topics, check out our 11+ maths resources guide .

The Three Essential Books I Recommend

Before buying anything, ensure your child has automatic recall of times tables. If not, work on that first using my times tables mastery method.

Once times tables are secure:

Book 1: Schofield & Sims Mental Arithmetic

What it's for: Building mental arithmetic speed and accuracy

How to choose the right level: Look at one page in each book (they come in different levels). Choose the book where your child gets 50-70% correct. If they're getting 100%, it's too easy. If they're getting 20%, it's too hard.

How to use it:

Complete one page daily, timed
Mark immediately and review errors
Focus on speed building as well as accuracy
Perfect for Group B and C students building arithmetic foundations

Why it works: Repetition builds automaticity. When basic arithmetic becomes unconscious, your child's working memory is freed up for more complex problem solving during exams.

Book 2: CGP 11+ Books

What they're for: Understanding topics and topic based practice

How to use them:

After learning a topic with tutor, teacher or parent, use CGP for consolidation
Complete topic specific tests to check understanding
Use explanations to clarify concepts
Work through systematically rather than randomly

Why they work: CGP breaks each topic into manageable chunks with clear explanations followed by practice questions increasing in difficulty. Perfect for systematic topic coverage.

Book 3: Bond Test Papers

What they're for: Exam style practice under timed conditions

Which version to choose:

CEM style: For independent schools or schools using CEM Select format
GL style: For grammar schools using GL Assessment

If your school uses independent entrance exams, CEM format is likely closer to what they'll face.

How to use them:

Only start these once topics are covered
Complete under strict timed conditions
Mark thoroughly using mark schemes
Analyse which topics caused lost marks
Revisit those topics before attempting next paper

Why they work: Exposure to actual exam style questions builds familiarity, reduces exam day anxiety, and develops time management skills.

Important: Don't race through all three books in series. Use them strategically alongside your preparation plan, not as the entire plan themselves.

Creating an Effective Daily Practice Routine

Research shows consistent daily practice beats irregular intensive sessions every time. Here's how to structure effective practice:

Option 1: Rotating Subjects Daily

Monday: 20 minutes Maths Tuesday: 20 minutes English
Wednesday: 20 minutes Verbal Reasoning Thursday: 20 minutes Non Verbal Reasoning Friday: 20 minutes Mixed / Weak areas Weekend: One practice paper under timed conditions

Why this works: Your brain consolidates learning during rest periods between practice. Daily rotation prevents burnout whilst maintaining consistency across all subjects.

Option 2: Multiple Short Sessions

Daily: 20 minutes practice, 5 minute break, 20 minutes practice, 5 minute break, 20 minutes practice

Total: 60 minutes split into three focused blocks

Subject focus: Choose one subject per day and rotate through the four subjects

Why this works: Attention spans work best in 20 minute blocks. Short breaks prevent mental fatigue whilst three sessions cover substantial content daily.

Which Routine to Choose?

Option 1 (rotating subjects) works best for:

Students who get bored focusing on one subject
Families with limited evening time
Children who maintain focus better with variety

Option 2 (multiple sessions one subject) works best for:

Students who need deeper focus to grasp concepts
Weekends or school holidays when more time available
When targeting specific weak subject that needs intensive work

The Non Negotiables:

Practice must be daily (5-6 days per week minimum)
Each session must be focused (no phones, TV, distractions)
Mark work immediately and review errors
Track which topics are improving and which remain difficult

Use my digital revision planner to track daily progress, log scores, and identify patterns in weak areas.

Mock Exams and Past Papers: How Many and When

When to Start Practice Papers

Group A students: Begin practice papers February Year 5 Group B students: Begin practice papers Summer term Year 5
Group C students: Begin practice papers Autumn Year 5

Before these points, focus on topic mastery using CGP books and Schofield & Sims arithmetic.

How Many Mocks Should They Complete?

Minimum target: 5 complete mock exam sets Ideal target: 8-10 complete mock exam sets Ambitious target: 12-15+ complete mock exam sets

Each "set" includes all papers for your exam format (typically 3-4 papers covering all subjects).

Research shows students who complete fewer than 5 mocks often underperform due to exam shock. Those completing 10+ feel significantly more comfortable and confident.

The Critical Part: What You Do AFTER Each Mock

Don't just complete a mock and move to the next one. This wastes the learning opportunity.

The proper process:

Complete under strict timed conditions Simulate real exam environment: desk, chair, timer, no distractions
Mark thoroughly using mark schemes Don't just note right/wrong, understand why marks were given
Analyse results by topic Which topics caused most lost marks? Log these.
Targeted teaching/revision Before next mock, spend 2-3 days intensively practicing those weak topics
Reflect on exam technique Were time management issues? Misread questions? Silly errors?
Attempt next mock Ideally 1-2 weeks later after addressing identified gaps

This cycle of practice, feedback, targeted improvement, then re-testing is what actually builds skill.

Where to Get Practice Papers

For GL Assessment:

Bond 11+ GL style test papers
Past papers from GL Assessment website
SHLC 11+ practice materials (contact us for current papers)

For CEM / Independent Schools:

Bond 11+ CEM style papers
School-specific past papers (if available)
Request papers from SHLC – we have extensive collection

Professional marking: Use my mock exam marking service for expert analysis showing exactly where marks are lost and detailed feedback on how to improve.

Warning Signs: When Preparation Isn't Working

Even with best intentions, sometimes preparation doesn't progress as hoped. Watch for these red flags:

Red Flag 1: Feeling Frustrated and Overwhelmed

What it looks like: Your child becomes emotional, upset or resistant during practice sessions. They say things like "I can't do this" or "It's too hard."

What it means: The content is too advanced for their current level. You've moved to 11+ content before foundations are secure.

What to do: Step back. Return to Schofield & Sims arithmetic building. Master times tables. Build confidence with easier content before returning to harder material.

Red Flag 2: Not Remembering Previously Covered Topics

What it looks like: You teach a topic, they seem to understand, but a week later they've completely forgotten.

What it means: The learning isn't consolidating. Likely moving too fast without sufficient practice.

What to do: Slow down dramatically. After teaching a topic, practice it daily for a full week before moving on. Use spaced repetition (revisit topics repeatedly over weeks).

Red Flag 3: Giving Up Easily

What it looks like: Your child quits the moment something seems difficult. Won't attempt challenging questions.

What it means: They lack confidence and possibly have maths anxiety. Years of struggle have convinced them they "can't do maths."

What to do: Rebuild confidence with easier material where they experience consistent success. See my guide on building confidence for anxious students. Consider professional support to address anxiety.

Red Flag 4: Parent-Child Relationship Deteriorating

What it looks like: Arguments every practice session. Your child resents you. You're both stressed.

What it means: Attempting to be parent and tutor simultaneously damages relationships.

What to do: Get professional help. At SHLC, I work with families where parent-taught preparation isn't working. Outsourcing the teaching preserves your relationship as parent whilst ensuring your child gets expert support.

SHLC 11+ Maths Preparation Services

At SHLC, I provide comprehensive 11+ maths support tailored to your child's student group and target schools:

One-to-One 11+ Tutoring

What's included:

Diagnostic assessment identifying current level and gaps
Personalised programme targeting specific exam format (GL, CEM or independent school)
Systematic topic coverage with homework between sessions
Regular mock exams with detailed feedback
Progress tracking showing measurable improvements
Parent updates after each session

Best for: All student groups, particularly Groups B and C who need structured support

Mock Exam Marking Service

Can't afford weekly tutoring? Use my professional marking service.

What's included:

Submit completed practice papers
Detailed marking showing exactly where marks lost
Topic-by-topic analysis
Specific guidance on what to practice next
Written feedback your child can understand and act on

Best for: Families managing preparation independently who need expert feedback periodically

11+ Guidance and School-Specific Support

What I provide:

Advice on which exam format your target schools use
Access to past papers (we have extensive collection including school-specific papers)
Custom mark schemes if you send us papers we don't have
Guidance on realistic preparation timelines based on your child's current level

Best for: Parents planning their child's preparation journey

Contact: Get in touch with SHLC to discuss your child's needs and how I can help.

Independent Schools vs Grammar Schools: Key Differences

If targeting independent schools rather than grammar schools, adjust your approach:

Independent School Specific Preparation

Be more school-specific: Independent schools often set their own entrance exams. Obtain past papers from your target schools directly or through SHLC.

Question styles vary more: Without standardised formats like GL, each school's exam reflects their priorities. Past papers are essential.

Interview preparation matters: Many independent schools include interviews. Academic ability alone isn't sufficient.

Earlier timelines: Some independent school exams occur November/December Year 5 rather than September Year 6. Check your target schools' timelines.

How SHLC Helps with Independent Schools

We maintain collection of independent school past papers
If you have papers we don't, send them to us and we'll create mark schemes
We provide school-specific preparation focusing on the exact format and content your target school uses
Interview preparation guidance included where relevant

The Complete 11+ Preparation Timeline

Here's what systematic preparation looks like for each group:

Group A Timeline (Starting September Year 5)

Sept-Dec Year 5: CGP topic coverage + Schofield & Sims for speed
Jan-April Year 5: Practice papers weekly + topic refinement
May-Aug Year 5: Intensive past papers (2-3 per week) + exam technique
Sept Year 6: Confident and ready for exams

Group B Timeline (Starting Christmas Year 4)

Christmas-Summer Year 4: Schofield & Sims arithmetic building + basic topic work Sept Year 5-Feb Year 5: CGP systematic topic coverage
March-June Year 5: Introduce practice papers (one per week)
July Year 5 onwards: Intensive past papers + exam technique
Sept Year 6: Ready for exams

Group C Timeline (Starting Year 3/4)

Year 3 summer / Year 4 autumn: Times tables mastery + basic arithmetic
Year 4 spring-summer: Schofield & Sims systematic work + foundation topics
Year 5 autumn-spring: CGP topic coverage at appropriate pace
Year 5 summer: Begin practice papers carefully
Year 5 summer onwards: Steady practice paper work
Sept Year 6: Ready for exams

The Bottom Line

11+ success isn't about cramming or hoping for the best. It's about:

Starting early enough based on your child's current level
Building foundations properly before advancing to complex content
Practicing consistently with effective daily routines
Using mock exams strategically with proper feedback and improvement cycles
Getting professional support when needed rather than struggling alone

Remember: only 164 grammar schools exist in England serving millions of families. Competition is genuine. But with proper preparation starting at the right time with systematic approach, your child has real opportunity to succeed.

The students I've worked with who gained grammar and independent school places all had three things in common:

They started early enough for their ability level
They practiced consistently without massive gaps
They sought expert feedback identifying exactly what needed work

You now have the complete roadmap. The question is: will you follow it systematically?

Book a free consultation with SHLC to discuss your child's specific situation, which group they're in, and how to create their personalised 11+ preparation plan.

Need expert 11+ maths preparation? Get in touch with SHLC for qualified teacher support, proven strategies, and comprehensive resources that deliver results.

Back to blog