Your Child's Path to Grammar School Success

The 11 plus exam consists of four separate papers: Mathematics, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Each paper is typically 45–50 minutes long and is sat on the same day. All our mock exams follow this exact format with 20 questions per section.

We recommend starting preparation at the beginning of Year 5, roughly 12–18 months before the exam. This allows enough time to build strong foundations in all four subjects, practise exam technique, and work through multiple mock papers without feeling rushed. Starting in Year 6 is still very effective with focused, intensive preparation.

Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) tests a child's ability to analyse patterns, shapes and sequences — without using words. It tests logical and spatial thinking. Many children find it unusual at first because it is unlike any subject taught in school. The best way to prepare is through regular practice with real NVR questions. Our portal includes visual SVG-based NVR questions that replicate the style and difficulty of the actual exam.

We recommend completing at least 4–6 timed mock exams in the final 2 months before the test. The first few mocks build familiarity and identify weak areas. Later mocks build speed and exam stamina. Reviewing every incorrect answer with a worked explanation is more valuable than simply doing more papers. Our portal unlocks one new paper per week, which is the ideal pace for sustained preparation.

There is no universal pass mark for the 11 plus. Each grammar school sets its own threshold based on the cohort who sat that year's exam. A standardised score above 121 is generally considered competitive, but popular schools in high-demand areas may require scores above 130. The key is to consistently score in the upper quartile across all four subjects, with no single subject being significantly weaker.