"When should we start?" is the question every 11+ parent asks. The honest answer: the habits that matter most can start early and gently, while structured exam practice works best in the 12 months before the test. Here's a realistic, year-by-year plan.
Build reading and vocabulary habits in Year 3 and Year 4. Start structured 11+ preparation at the beginning of Year 5. Add timed mock exams from the summer term of Year 5. Most grammar school tests are in September of Year 6.
Year 3 and Year 4: build the foundations
For more detail, see 11+ preparation in Year 4.
There's no need for 11+ papers yet. What makes the biggest difference later is a child who reads a lot, enjoys words and has solid basics.
- Read every day — and gradually introduce harder books, including classics such as The Wind in the Willows or The Jungle Book.
- Talk about words. When you meet an interesting word, stop and discuss it. Play word games in the car.
- Secure times tables and spelling patterns — these underpin maths and SPAG later.
- Try light vocabulary practice — a few minutes a day with a spaced-repetition app keeps it fun rather than formal.
Start of Year 5 (September–December): learn the skills
About a year out, it's time for structure. The goal in this term is to learn every question type without time pressure.
- Find out your target schools' test format — GL, CEM-style, Kent, ISEB or a school's own paper. Read our exam boards guide.
- Daily vocabulary — 10 minutes a day. See 11+ vocabulary.
- Introduce one new question type a week — for example analogies this week, letter codes next.
- Weekly comprehension and SPAG — little and often.
- Start writing practice if your target schools set a writing task.
Year 5, spring term (January–April): consolidate and fill gaps
- Keep the daily routine going — consistency is everything.
- Track mistakes and revisit weak topics each week. (Elevenplus FC's Mistake Vault does this automatically.)
- Try occasional timed sections — short, single-topic, just to get used to the clock.
- Check registration dates. Registration usually opens in spring or early summer of Year 5. Put the deadline in your calendar.
Year 5, summer term (April–July): register and add timing
- Register for every test your child will sit.
- Start full mock exams every two or three weeks, in the right format.
- Review every mock thoroughly — go through each wrong answer together.
- Practise the answer sheet if the test is multiple choice with a separate answer sheet.
Summer holidays: steady, not frantic
The summer before the exam is valuable — but so is rest. A sustainable plan might be 45–60 minutes a day, five days a week, with proper breaks and a real holiday.
- A mock exam each week, reviewed carefully.
- Targeted work on the two or three weakest topics.
- Daily vocabulary and reading continue as normal.
September of Year 6: exam time
- Final week: ease off. Light review, early nights, no new material.
- The day before: something fun. Pack pencils, rubber, water and a snack if allowed.
- Exam day: a good breakfast, arrive early, and remind your child that you're proud of them whatever happens. More in our 11+ exam day tips.
Starting late? Here's what to prioritise
If you're starting in the spring or summer of Year 5, focus on what gives the biggest return fastest:
- Learn the format and question types for your specific test — technique is the quickest win.
- Daily vocabulary — it takes time, so start immediately.
- SPAG rules — a small number of rules fix a lot of marks.
- Timed mocks from the summer to build speed and confidence.
Frequently asked questions
Is Year 5 too late to start 11+ preparation?
No. The start of Year 5 — roughly a year before a September exam — is when most families begin structured preparation. Starting in the spring of Year 5 is still workable with a consistent routine.
Is Year 3 too early for the 11+?
Formal 11+ practice in Year 3 is usually too early and risks burnout. But reading widely, talking about words and building good habits in Year 3 and Year 4 gives a real head start.
How many hours a week should my child spend on 11+ preparation?
In the first half of Year 5, two to four hours a week — including daily reading — is plenty for most children. That often rises in the final months, but short, regular sessions work better than long ones.