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I struggled with English Comprehension, especially when it came to analysing texts, but my tutor, Vania was amazing. She taught me how to approach the texts in a way that actually made sense. Now, I can write essays easily and my grades have shot up. So, my overall experience has been great with her.
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The 11 Plus Exam is taken towards the end of Primary School and is a competitive selective exam used to allocate spaces to a Grammar School. The 11 Plus Exam is taken in September and the test itself varies by area and school. The test can include a selection of four subjects: Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
For Grammar Schools the 11 Plus exams are mostly in early/mid-September (when children have just started year six) but this can vary by individual school or area. For Independent Schools, which also have an intake at this age, the exam is normally in mid-late January although some test in February.
There are several types of 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning test. Schools normally use either GL Verbal Reasoning tests or CEM Verbal Reasoning Tests. The GL Verbal Reasoning tests are based on their 21 question types which include roughly ten question types where a wider vocabulary is essential and the remainder are logic based. CEM Verbal Reasoning is different and includes a mix of mainly vocabulary and comprehension focussed questions.
Non-Verbal Reasoning for 11 Plus exams is the same as any other Non-Verbal reasoning test but it is age appropriate. Non-Verbal Reasoning tests aim to identify potential regardless of educational background. 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning tests are graphic puzzles , children are given an example and then asked to answer several questions. Preparation is useful but of limited benefit when compared to other subjects like Verbal Reasoning, Maths and English.
There are 164 Grammar Schools left. They aim to take the top performing students in their area, selected by an 11 Plus exam. Historically there were two types of secondary school. Grammar Schools (which took the top 25% of pupils) and secondary modern schools which took the remainder. Some areas retain this system while others have switched to the comprehensive system.Some areas like Kent and Bucks retain a full Grammar School System, others have none or only a partial Grammar School system.
Independent Schools are either secondary schools or primary schools which charge fees. Some are very selective , others are not. Many provide a wider set of study options particularly in areas like languages than state run schools and class sizes tend to be smaller. Fees range from around £12,000 a year for a junior day school to over £35,000 for a senior boarding school. Many offer generous scholarships and bursaries to help disadvantaged but talented children.
ocabulary is extremely important, especially for CEM exams, but also significantly impacts GL English and Verbal Reasoning. A strong vocabulary helps with reading comprehension, understanding complex questions, solving synonym/antonym tasks, and performing well in cloze passages. Encouraging wide reading and active vocabulary building is key to success.
While there’s no single rule, many parents find it beneficial to begin 11+ preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5. This allows for a gradual, consistent approach, building core skills without excessive pressure. An earlier start provides ample time for practice papers and targeted revision throughout Year 6, leading to a more comprehensive and less stressful preparation journey.
