When to Start 11+ Preparation
A realistic timeline — not based on what tutoring agencies want to sell you, but on what actually works.
The Honest Answer
If you search online, you will find everything from “start in Year 2” to “three months is plenty”. The truth, as always, is somewhere in between.
For most children, 12 to 18 months before the exam is the sweet spot. That means beginning gentle preparation in the summer of Year 4 or the start of Year 5, with the exam in September/October of Year 6.
But here is the reassuring part: it is never too late to start. Even 3–6 months of focused, daily practice can make a significant difference — especially if your child already has solid reading and maths foundations from school.
Month-by-Month Timeline
Year 4 Summer (Optional Foundation Phase)
Focus: Building general ability, not exam technique.
- • Read widely — fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, magazines
- • Strengthen core maths — times tables to 12x12, fractions, mental arithmetic
- • Play word games (Scrabble, Boggle, crosswords) to build vocabulary
- • No formal 11+ papers yet — this stage is about enrichment
Year 5 Autumn (September–December)
Focus: Introducing VR and NVR question types.
- • Introduce verbal reasoning — start with the most common question types
- • Introduce non-verbal reasoning — sequences, odd-one-out, analogies
- • Continue daily reading (15 minutes minimum)
- • 10–15 minutes of structured practice per day, 4–5 days a week
- • No time pressure yet — focus on understanding, not speed
Year 5 Spring (January–April)
Focus: Building fluency and identifying gaps.
- • Work through all VR and NVR question types systematically
- • Introduce timed sections (not full papers yet)
- • Strengthen weak areas in maths and English
- • 15–20 minutes of practice daily
- • Try a baseline assessment or untimed mock to see where you stand
Year 5 Summer (May–August)
Focus: Timed practice and mock tests.
- • Begin full timed mock tests (one every 1–2 weeks)
- • Focus on time management — finishing papers, pacing, skipping hard questions
- • Review mistakes systematically — use them to guide what to practise next
- • Register for the 11+ (deadlines are often June–July)
- • Continue 15–20 minutes of daily practice through the summer holidays
Year 6 September (Final Preparation)
Focus: Exam readiness, confidence, and wellbeing.
- • 2–3 final mock tests under realistic conditions
- • Light revision of weak areas — no new topics at this stage
- • Focus on confidence and mindset (“You have prepared, you are ready”)
- • Good sleep, healthy food, and downtime in the days before the exam
- • Reduce practice intensity in the final week — avoid burnout
How Much Practice Per Day?
Here is a number that might surprise you: 15–20 minutes a day is enough.
This is not a guess — it is backed by decades of research on spaced practice (also called distributed practice). The principle is simple: learning is more effective when it is spread across many short sessions rather than concentrated in a few long ones.
Think of it like watering a plant. A little water every day is far better than drowning it once a week. The same is true for the brain.
The Maths of Little and Often
15 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 12 months = 65 hours of practice.
That is the equivalent of 43 private tutoring sessions — but spread across the year in a way that is far more effective for retention.
At a private tutor rate of £40/hour, that would cost £2,580. With SATs Arcade, it costs £7.99/month.
Signs Your Child Is Ready
Readiness is not just about academic ability. Here are the signs that suggest your child is in a good position:
- ✓They can focus for 40–50 minutes on a single task without needing a break.
- ✓They handle frustration reasonably well — they do not shut down when they get a question wrong.
- ✓Their maths and reading are at or above expected level for their age at school.
- ✓They are interested (or at least willing) — a child who is vehemently against it will not perform well regardless of preparation.
- ✓Mock test scores are within range — they do not need to be passing already, but they should be within striking distance.
Signs They Might Need More Time
These are not reasons to give up — they are signs to adjust the timeline or the approach:
- ⚠Significant gaps in core maths (e.g. not confident with fractions, decimals, or long division). Fill these before adding VR/NVR.
- ⚠Reading is below expected level — comprehension and vocabulary are fundamental to both English and VR sections.
- ⚠They become very anxious or upset during practice. Dial back the intensity and focus on building confidence first.
- ⚠Mock test scores are very low after several months of preparation. Consider whether the timing is right — some children benefit from waiting a term and trying again with more maturity.
Why Cramming Does Not Work
Let us be blunt: marathon revision sessions the weekend before the exam will not help. They are more likely to increase anxiety and reduce performance.
The 11+ tests thinking skills, not memorised facts. You cannot cram the ability to spot patterns in sequences or reason through a word puzzle. These skills build gradually through consistent exposure.
If you are reading this with only weeks to go, the best use of time is: one short practice session per day (focus on the question types they find hardest), one or two mock tests under proper timed conditions, and lots of encouragement. That combination will do more than ten hours of panicked weekend drilling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Year 4 too early to start preparing?+
We have only 3 months — is it too late?+
How many hours per week should my child practise?+
Should we practise during school holidays?+
My child is in Year 5 and we have not started. Should we panic?+
How do I know if my child is ready for the 11+?+
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