When Should My Child Start Preparing for the 11 Plus? A Parent's Guide to Grammar School Preparation
"When should my child start preparing for the 11 Plus?"
This is one of the most common questions we hear from parents at School House Learning Centre (SHLC). And if you're asking it, you're not alone. Thousands of UK parents grapple with this decision every year, worried about starting too late but equally concerned about putting unnecessary pressure on their child too early.
The truth is, there's no single answer that works for every child. Every child learns differently and develops at their own pace. However, understanding your child's current level can help you identify the best time to begin and give them the greatest chance of success.
Understanding the 11 Plus Landscape
Before we dive into timing, let's be clear about what we're preparing for. Grammar school entrance exams assess more than just knowledge. They test reasoning, problem solving, and the ability to work under time pressure. These are skills that take time to build and cannot be crammed in the final weeks before an exam.
Research shows that targeted tutoring can significantly improve student performance in high stakes exams like the 11 Plus. A 2021 study found that students who engaged in focused 11 Plus preparation saw an average score improvement of 25%. However, this improvement requires adequate time, structured support, and the right starting point for each individual child.
Three Different Starting Points: Which Group Is Your Child In?
To make this easier, we group students into three broad categories based on their current academic performance and readiness. Each group represents a different starting point and amount of support needed.
Group A: The High Flyers
Children in Group A are often in the top 10% of their class. They consistently achieve high marks and grasp new mathematical and verbal reasoning concepts quickly. These are the children who find problem solving enjoyable and already show strong academic independence. They pick up new topics with minimal repetition and feel confident working under pressure.
When to start: September of Year 5
For these students, beginning preparation in September of Year 5 gives them a full academic year to familiarise themselves with exam formats and build stamina through regular practice papers. By the time summer arrives, they should be completing 11 Plus papers confidently and with time to spare.
Some high achieving students may begin as late as January of Year 5, but any later than that risks reducing the time available to consolidate higher level reasoning and refine exam technique. By September of Year 6, these students should already feel confident and capable, ready to perform at their best when test day arrives.
What they need: Regular practice with exam style questions, exposure to various question formats, and strategies for maintaining accuracy under time pressure.
Group B: The Solid All Rounders
Group B students are the children who do well across most subjects but don't necessarily stand out as exceptional in any particular area. They have solid foundations but will need focused tuition to refine their understanding and sharpen their exam skills. Most children preparing for the 11 Plus fall into this category.
When to start: Christmas or January of Year 4
This timeframe allows them to strengthen both English and maths fundamentals before introducing verbal and non verbal reasoning in Year 5. Research suggests that Year 4 is a critical period for building core skills. Children who struggle with timing in test papers or make too many mistakes can most often trace their problems back to not ensuring their core skills were sound enough during this crucial year.
Starting a little earlier gives Group B students the chance to build confidence steadily rather than rushing closer to the exam. With consistent support and structured tuition, these students can comfortably move into top sets by Year 6.
What they need: A balanced approach that builds subject knowledge alongside exam technique, regular assessments to track progress, and targeted support in weaker areas.
Group C: The Builders in Progress
Group C students often need more time to develop the essential building blocks of learning. They might still be working on times tables, basic arithmetic operations, or understanding place value. For them, early preparation makes all the difference.
When to start: End of Year 3 or start of Year 4
This gives these students enough time to strengthen their core maths and English skills before moving on to reasoning questions and exam style challenges. With the right guidance and sufficient time, even students who start off struggling can make remarkable progress.
At SHLC, we've seen many students move from lower sets to top sets simply because they began early and followed a clear, structured plan. The key is allowing enough time for skills to develop naturally without the pressure of looming deadlines.
What they need: Patient, structured teaching that builds foundational skills first, plenty of practice to reinforce learning, and celebration of small wins to build confidence.
Why Starting Early Makes a Genuine Difference
One of the most common mistakes parents make in 11 Plus preparation is starting the process too late. Many believe they can simply begin a few months before the exams, underestimating the time it takes to prepare adequately. Unlike regular school tests, the 11 Plus requires sustained effort, time, and a strategic approach.
Grammar school entrance exams test skills that develop over time with consistent exposure and reinforcement. Vocabulary depth, mental maths fluency, and reasoning ability cannot be built overnight. Late starters often resort to cramming, which increases stress for both child and parent and usually results in uneven performance in the exam.
Starting early gives your child the advantage of gradual development rather than last minute pressure. It allows tutors to identify weaknesses, close learning gaps, and build confidence through consistent, achievable progress.
More importantly, early preparation helps children develop resilience. The 11 Plus journey teaches focus, discipline, and perseverance. These are qualities that benefit them long after the exam is over, regardless of the outcome.
The Four Common Mistakes Parents Make
Understanding when to start is only part of the picture. Many well intentioned parents make critical mistakes that undermine their child's preparation, even when they begin at the right time.
Mistake 1: Choosing the Wrong Tutor
Not all 11 Plus tutors are created equal. Some have years of experience and proven track records; others have simply bought some practice books and set up shop. The tutor you choose will significantly impact your child's preparation journey.
Look for tutors who specialise in 11 Plus preparation, understand the specific exam formats used by your target schools (GL Assessment or CEM), and have demonstrable success with previous students. At SHLC, our tutors don't just teach content. They understand how to build exam confidence, manage time pressure, and adapt to each child's learning style.
Mistake 2: Not Starting Early Enough
We've covered this, but it bears repeating. Starting too late means there's little time to build the core skills children need to succeed. The ideal window for meaningful 11 Plus preparation is typically between the end of Year 3 and early Year 5, depending on your child's current level.
Parents who begin too early (perhaps in Year 2 or 3 with intensive exam practice) can also create problems. Children at that age are still developing fundamental learning habits, and early exposure to pressure or routine testing can reduce motivation and make the process feel burdensome.
Mistake 3: Not Dedicating Enough Time
11 Plus preparation requires consistent, regular practice. Doing one practice paper a month won't cut it. Similarly, sporadic bursts of intense study followed by weeks of nothing won't build the sustained skills needed for success.
Most successful students dedicate 30 to 60 minutes several times per week, depending on their year group and starting point. This needs to be consistent throughout the preparation period, not just in the final months.
Mistake 4: Underestimating the Investment Required
11 Plus preparation demands significant investment, both in time and money. Professional tutoring in the UK can range from £40 to £60 per hour for qualified, experienced tutors. Over the course of a year or more, this adds up considerably.
Beyond financial costs, there's the time investment from parents. Supporting your child's preparation means being involved, reviewing their work, managing their study schedule, and providing emotional support throughout what can be a stressful process.
Many parents don't fully grasp this commitment until they're months into the journey. Going in with eyes wide open about what's required helps prevent burnout and resentment on both sides.
How to Identify Your Child's Group
If you're unsure which group your child falls into, consider these questions:
• Do they pick up new topics quickly or need repetition and reinforcement?
• Are they confident working under time pressure, or does it make them anxious?
• Do they enjoy challenges and problem solving, or do they tend to avoid difficult tasks?
• How do their current results in English and maths compare to their peers?
• Can they work independently, or do they need constant guidance?
A professional assessment can give you clear, objective answers to these questions. At SHLC, we offer initial assessments that provide parents with detailed feedback about their child's current level, specific strengths and areas for improvement, and a tailored preparation plan with realistic timelines.
What Effective 11 Plus Preparation Actually Looks Like
Understanding when to start is crucial, but knowing what effective preparation involves is equally important.
Building Strong Foundations First
The best 11 Plus preparation in Years 3 and 4 focuses on ensuring children have solid subject knowledge in English and maths. This isn't about racing ahead or working beyond age related expectations. It's about making sure the fundamentals are absolutely secure.
Children need confident times tables knowledge, fluency with basic arithmetic operations, strong reading comprehension, and expanding vocabulary. These foundational skills make everything that follows easier.
Introducing Reasoning Gradually
Verbal and non verbal reasoning aren't taught at primary school, so these subjects are entirely new for most children. Introducing them gradually in Year 4 or early Year 5 allows time for children to become comfortable with unfamiliar question types.
Many parents make the mistake of focusing almost exclusively on practice papers, but this approach overlooks the need for deep understanding of the concepts being tested. Balance practice papers with concept driven learning and revision.
Regular Practice Under Exam Conditions
As the exam approaches, regular practice under timed conditions becomes essential. This familiarises children with exam formats, builds time management skills, and helps them develop strategies for handling pressure.
However, timing is everything. Practice papers should only be introduced when your child is comfortable with the exam content. Using them too early can damage confidence and create anxiety.
Maintaining Balance and Wellbeing
11 Plus preparation shouldn't consume your child's entire life. Research shows that little and often is far more effective than marathon study sessions. Children can't really focus on anything solidly for more than an hour at a time, and forcing them to sit still and study for extended periods leads to fatigue and diminished returns.
Short, concentrated study sessions followed by breaks, physical activity, and relaxation time produce better results and protect your child's wellbeing.
Is the 11 Plus Right for Your Child?
This is perhaps the most important question of all, and one that parents sometimes overlook in the rush to secure a grammar school place.
The 11 Plus journey is demanding. It requires sustained effort, resilience, and the ability to handle pressure and potential disappointment. Not every child thrives in this environment, and that's perfectly okay.
Consider your child's personality, their response to academic pressure, their genuine interest in attending grammar school, and your family's capacity to support the preparation process over many months.
At SHLC, we believe in having honest conversations with parents about whether the 11 Plus is the right path for their particular child. Sometimes the answer is yes, with the right support. Sometimes it's not yet, and starting later would be better. And sometimes, alternative educational paths might serve a child better.
Taking the Next Step
Every child's 11 Plus journey looks different, but the earlier you start with appropriate preparation, the more time your child has to build skills, confidence, and exam technique.
Whether your child is already a high flyer, a solid all rounder, or still building their foundations, structured preparation and expert support can make all the difference.
The key is starting at the right time for your individual child, with realistic expectations about the investment required and professional guidance to navigate the journey ahead.
If you'd like to find out where your child currently stands, whether the 11 Plus is the right choice for your family, and when they should begin preparing, book an initial consultation with SHLC today. We'll provide an honest assessment, clear recommendations, and a roadmap for success that's tailored to your child's unique needs and timeline.
Remember: The goal isn't just passing an exam. It's helping your child develop skills, confidence, and resilience that will serve them throughout their educational journey and beyond.