2026 11+ Exam Complete Guide: Everything Parents Need to Know

90% of parents don't realise that targeted Verbal Reasoning practice can boost their child's 11+ score by up to 20% in just three months. If your child is preparing for the 2026 11+ exam, this guide will give you everything you need — from understanding the different exam boards to building a week-by-week study plan.

What Is the 11+ Exam?

The 11+ is a selective entrance examination taken by children in Year 5 or early Year 6 (ages 10-11) to gain entry to grammar schools and some independent schools across England and Northern Ireland. In 2025, over 300,000 children sat the 11+ across various exam boards.

There are three main exam providers, and knowing which one your target school uses is the single most important first step:

• GL Assessment — Used by the majority of grammar schools. Tests English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning (VR) and Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) as separate papers
• CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) — Run by Durham University. Combines subjects into two mixed papers. Harder to prepare for as the format varies
• ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board) — Used by many independent schools. Common Pre-Test taken online, adaptive format

When Should Preparation Start?

The ideal preparation timeline depends on your child's starting point, but here is what we recommend for most families:

18 Months Before (Start of Year 4 — January)

• Assess your child's current level in Maths and English
• Begin regular reading habits (30 minutes daily)
• Start gentle Maths reinforcement focusing on fundamentals
• Identify target schools and their exam boards

12 Months Before (Start of Year 5 — September)

• Begin formal 11+ preparation with structured practice
• Introduce Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning
• Schedule 20-30 minutes of focused practice daily
• Consider a diagnostic assessment to identify weak areas

6 Months Before (March of Year 5)

• Increase practice intensity to 30-45 minutes daily
• Start timed practice papers under exam conditions
• Focus on weak areas identified in diagnostic tests
• Begin mock exams (at least one per month)

3 Months Before (June of Year 5)

• Full timed papers every week
• Focus on exam technique: time management, eliminating wrong answers
• Reduce new learning, increase revision and practice
• Manage exam anxiety — keep sessions positive

The Four 11+ Subjects Explained

Maths

The 11+ Maths paper tests Year 5/6 curriculum content but at a higher difficulty. Key topics include:

• Fractions, decimals and percentages
• Ratio and proportion
• Algebra (simple equations)
• Geometry (area, perimeter, volume)
• Data handling and statistics
• Word problems and multi-step problem solving

Top tip: The most common mistakes aren't about not knowing the maths — they're about misreading the question. Train your child to underline key words in every question.

English

Tested through comprehension passages and sometimes creative writing. Your child needs:

• Strong reading comprehension (fiction and non-fiction)
• Vocabulary breadth — especially synonyms and antonyms
• Grammar and punctuation knowledge
• Ability to infer meaning from text (reading between the lines)

Verbal Reasoning (VR)

This tests your child's ability to think about and manipulate words and language. Common question types:

• Synonyms and antonyms
• Complete the word
• Letter series and codes
• Analogies
• Hidden words

Key insight: There are roughly 21 question types in GL Verbal Reasoning. If your child masters the technique for each type, they can approach any VR paper with confidence. We recommend focusing on 2-3 question types per week.

Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR)

Tests pattern recognition and spatial awareness through visual puzzles:

• Sequences and series
• Analogies with shapes
• Odd one out
• Reflection and rotation
• Codes with shapes

Key insight: NVR is the most "trainable" of all four subjects. Children who practice regularly can improve their NVR scores by 15-25% within 8-12 weeks.

Choosing the Right Resources

Not all 11+ resources are created equal. Here's what works:

• Bond 11+ — Best for steady, progressive practice. Good for building foundations
• CGP 11+ — Clear explanations with practice questions. Good value
• GL Assessment official papers — Essential if your school uses GL. Get the real format
• CEM-style papers — If targeting CEM schools, use providers like Atom Learning or RSL
• Online adaptive platforms — Tools that adjust difficulty based on your child's performance are more efficient than static workbooks

How to Handle Exam Day

• Ensure a good night's sleep (at least 9-10 hours)
• Light, nutritious breakfast — avoid sugar crashes
• Arrive 15-20 minutes early
• Remind your child: read every question carefully, skip difficult questions and come back
• After the exam: do not debrief intensely. Praise effort, not outcome

Next Steps

The 11+ journey can feel daunting, but with a structured plan and consistent practice, your child can absolutely succeed. The key is starting early, staying consistent, and keeping the process positive.

Ready to start practising? Our AI-powered question generator creates unlimited 11+ practice questions tailored to your child's level and target exam board.