The 11+ English paper rewards children who read widely, know a lot of words and write accurately. None of that can be crammed in a fortnight — but all of it can be built with a little focused practice every day. This page explains what the 11 plus English exam tests, and how Elevenplus FC helps your child prepare for each part.
What the 11+ English exam tests
Every exam board and school has its own format (see our guide to GL, CEM, Kent and ISEB), but almost every 11+ English paper is built from the same five skills:
- Reading comprehension — a fiction, non-fiction or poetry passage followed by retrieval, inference and language questions.
- Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) — often as "find the mistake" lines, as in GL Assessment papers.
- Vocabulary — synonyms, antonyms, word meanings in context, and the ambitious words that appear in passages.
- Cloze — choosing the right word or letters to fill gaps in a passage.
- Creative or continuous writing — set by many independent schools, the Kent Test (as a writing sample) and some consortium exams.
Verbal reasoning is technically a separate paper in many areas, but it leans so heavily on vocabulary and spelling that it's best prepared alongside English — see 11+ verbal reasoning.
How Elevenplus FC covers every part
Reading comprehension
Passages — including genuine extracts from Dickens, Kipling, Kenneth Grahame and Wordsworth — with the question types 11+ papers use: retrieval, inference, vocabulary in context, literary technique, and theme and structure. Tap any unfamiliar word for an instant definition. More on comprehension →
SPAG
Fourteen topics, from apostrophes and direct speech to homophones and the passive voice, plus the lettered spot-the-mistake format used on GL-style papers. A Grammar Decoder explains any rule in plain English with a quick check question. More on SPAG →
Vocabulary and word roots
1,500 curated 11+ words taught with spaced-repetition flashcards, quizzes and "use it in a sentence" practice — plus prefixes, suffixes, and Latin and Greek roots so children can work out words they've never seen. More on vocabulary →
Cloze tests
Fill-in-the-blank practice built from comprehension passages and focused on key 11+ vocabulary — the format that catches children who recognise a word but can't yet use it. Cloze tests explained →
Creative writing
The Writing Coach works genre by genre — newspaper report, diary, letter, description, narrative and persuasive — giving a score, specific strengths and next steps, and an editor-style checklist. Children can type or photograph their handwritten work. More on creative writing →
Figurative language
Similes, metaphors, personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia and more — the techniques children are asked to spot in comprehension and use in their own writing. 15 techniques explained →
Timed mock exams
When the skills are in place, full 11+ English mock exams modelled on GL, Kent, CEM and ISEB formats build speed and stamina — and can be printed as a real paper.
Elevenplus FC covers English and verbal reasoning only. It doesn't teach 11+ maths or non-verbal reasoning — we'd rather do two things brilliantly than four things adequately.
A simple weekly 11+ English routine
For a Year 5 child a year or so from the exam, this is plenty:
- Every day (10–15 minutes): the app's daily vocabulary session, plus 20 minutes of reading a challenging book for pleasure.
- Three times a week: one comprehension or SPAG set, rotating topics. Check the Mistake Vault and revisit weak spots.
- Once a week: one piece of writing through the Writing Coach.
- From the summer before the exam: a timed mock exam every week or two.
For a fuller plan, read when to start 11+ preparation and how to prepare for the 11+ at home.
Frequently asked questions
What is on the 11+ English paper?
Most 11+ English papers include reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG), and vocabulary — often as cloze (fill-the-gap) or synonym questions. Many schools and areas also set a creative writing task. The exact mix depends on the exam board and the school.
Is 11+ English multiple choice?
Often, yes. GL Assessment papers and the Kent Test are largely multiple choice, answered on a separate answer sheet. Some independent schools and consortiums use written-answer comprehension and a marked essay, so check your target school's admissions page.
How can I improve my child's 11+ English score?
Daily reading of challenging fiction, steady vocabulary building with spaced repetition, regular practice of each question type, and timed mock papers in the final months. Reviewing mistakes carefully matters as much as doing more questions.
Does Elevenplus FC cover 11+ maths?
No. Elevenplus FC focuses on English and verbal reasoning, so we can go deep on them. Most families pair it with a dedicated maths resource.