How to Tackle 11 Plus Exam Revision with Your Child

The Basics – What are 11 Plus Exams and Why are They Important?

The 11 Plus Exam is a standardised assessment taken by some Year 6 pupils in primary schools in England. The exam typically includes a range of subjects, including English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The specific subjects and topics covered by the exam may vary depending on the individual school or educational authority administering the exam. In general, however, the 11 Plus Exam is designed to assess a pupil’s academic abilities and aptitudes. Additionally, to determine their suitability for admission to a grammar school or selective school.

The 11 Plus Exam is a crucial milestone in a child’s education. It’s therefore important for parents to help their children prepare for the exam and ensure that they are able to achieve their best possible result. One of the key ways to do this is through effective revision.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro at helping your child revise or you’re new to the process, we hope that this article will provide valuable insights and tips for supporting your child on their journey to success.

Start with a Study Schedule

One of the first steps in helping your child tackle the 11 Plus Exam revision is to create a study schedule. This will provide a roadmap for their revision, allowing them to see what they need to cover and when. When creating a study schedule, it’s important to involve your child in the process and take their preferences and needs into account. This will help ensure that the schedule is realistic and manageable for them.

Some tips for creating a study schedule for the 11 Plus Exam revision include:

📌 Set aside dedicated time each day for revision. Make sure that the schedule is consistent from week to week.

📌 Break up revision into manageable chunks. Focus on a different subject each day or set aside time for practice exams.

📌 Involve your child in the process of creating the schedule so that they can have input on what works best for them.

📌 Set realistic goals for what your child will be able to cover during each revision session. Adjust the schedule as needed.

The benefits of a study schedule for 11 Plus Exam revision include:

📌 Helping your child stay organised and on track with their revision.

📌 Providing a sense of structure and routine that can help reduce stress and anxiety.

📌 Allowing you to monitor your child’s progress and identify any areas where they may need extra support or guidance.

📌 Motivating your child to stay focused and dedicated to their revision, as they can see the progress they are making towards their goals.

Use Past 11 Plus Exam Papers to Practice

Another effective strategy for helping your child tackle the 11 Plus exam revision is to use past exam papers to practice. This is a great way to familiarise your child with the format and content of the exam. This can also help them identify any areas where they may need to focus their revision.

Tips on How to Incorporate Past Papers into Revision

📌 Set aside dedicated time for practice exams, such as once a week or once a month. This will help your child get used to the timing and format of the exam, and will allow you to monitor their progress.

📌 Go over any questions that your child found difficult. Provide guidance and support as needed. This will help your child understand the material more deeply, and will give them the confidence they need to perform well on the exam.

📌 Use a variety of resources to access past exam papers, such as websites, books, or practice exams. This will provide your child with a range of materials to practice with.

Benefits of Using Past Papers for 11 Plus Exam Revision

📌 Familiarising your child with the format and content of the exam. This can help reduce anxiety and improve performance on the day of the exam. Read more about exam anxiety and how to overcome it.

📌 Identifying any areas where your child may need to focus their revision, such as specific subjects or types of questions.

📌 Providing opportunities for active learning. Your child can go over the questions and answers and engage with the material more deeply.

📌 Building confidence and motivation. When the child can see the progress they are making and feel more prepared for the exam.

Encourage Active Learning

One of the keys to successful revision for the 11 Plus Exam is encouraging your child to engage with the material actively, rather than just passively reading or listening to information. This type of active learning can help your child retain and understand the material more effectively, and can also make the revision process more enjoyable and engaging.

There are many different ways to encourage active learning during revision for the 11 Plus exam. Some examples include using flashcards to test your child’s knowledge and retention, using quizzes or games to review the material in a fun and interactive way, or asking your child to explain the material to you in their own words. You can also encourage your child to create their own revision aids, such as mind maps or summaries, which can help them organise and retain the information more effectively.

In addition to these activities, it’s important to provide support and guidance to your child as they engage with the material actively. This could include asking questions to help them think more deeply about the material, providing feedback on their understanding and retention, or offering additional resources or explanations if they are struggling with a particular concept or topic.

Offer Support and Encouragement

Providing support and encouragement for your child during 11+ exam revision is crucial for their success and well-being. As a parent, you play a key role in helping your child stay motivated and focused during this important time.

One of the most important things you can do is to create a positive and supportive environment for your child to learn and study in. This means setting aside a quiet space for them to work, free from distractions such as TV or music. It also means providing them with the necessary materials and resources, such as books, study guides, and online resources.

In addition to creating a supportive environment, it’s also important to provide emotional support for your child. This means offering words of encouragement and praise when they’re doing well, and offering support and understanding when they’re struggling. It’s normal for children to feel anxious or stressed during exam season, so it’s important to be there for them and provide reassurance. 

You can also encourage them to take regular breaks and engage in activities outside of studying, such as physical exercise or hobbies, to help them relax and recharge. Here’s an article on how to maintain good mental health during exam season.

Ultimately, providing support and encouragement for your child during 11+ exam revision is about being there for them and helping them to succeed. By creating a positive and supportive environment, offering emotional support, and providing practical help, you can help your child to stay motivated and focused, and ultimately achieve their goals.

Consider Hiring 11+ Tutor

Hiring an 11+ tutor for your child can be a great way to provide them with the personalised attention and support they need during exam revision. Here are a few reasons why hiring a tutor can be beneficial:

📌 Personalised Attention

A tutor can provide your child with one-on-one attention and support that they may not receive in a classroom setting. This means they can focus on your child’s specific needs and areas of improvement. Also, provide tailored guidance and instruction to help them succeed.

📌 Expertise

11+ tutors are typically experienced educators or subject experts, who have a deep understanding of the 11+ exam and what it takes to succeed. This means they can provide valuable insights and guidance to help your child prepare and succeed.

📌 Flexibility

Hiring a tutor allows for flexibility in terms of scheduling and location. You can choose a tutor who is available at a time and place that is convenient for you and your child. You can even opt for online tutoring if that is more convenient.

📌 A Fresh Perspective

Sometimes, children may not listen to or take advice from their parents. Especially when it comes to studying. A tutor can provide a fresh perspective and a new approach to learning. This can help to engage and motivate your child.

Check out one of the best 11+ tutors, Ruby:

How to Prepare for 11 Plus Exam Day?

Once your child has completed their revision for the 11 Plus exam, it’s important to make sure they are well-prepared for the exam day itself. There are several key things that you can do to help your child feel calm, focused, and confident on the day of the exam.

First, make sure your child has everything they need for the exam. For instance, their admission ticket, a pencil, an eraser, and a calculator (if allowed). It’s also a good idea to pack some snacks and water, in case they get hungry or thirsty before or after the exam. Also, make sure you know the route to the school.

Second, encourage your child to get a good night’s sleep the night before the exam. A well-rested mind is better able to focus and retain information. Hence, it’s important for your child to get enough sleep to perform at their best.

Third, on the day of the exam, make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast to fuel their brain and give them the energy they need to perform well. Avoid sugary or processed foods, which can cause a sugar crash and reduce focus and concentration. Check out some brain foods here.

Fourth, give your child some time to relax and unwind before the exam. Encourage them to do some light stretching or deep breathing exercises to reduce stress and anxiety. Avoid discussing the exam or putting pressure on your child.

Conclusion

In conclusion, revision for the 11 Plus Exam is an important and challenging process for both children and parents. It’s crucial for parents to encourage and support their children during this time. It’s also essential to provide the tools and guidance they need to succeed on the exam.

Remember that the 11 Plus exam is just one step in your child’s academic journey. Their success on the exam is not the only measure of their potential or worth. No matter what grades your child receives on the exam, it’s important to show them support and encouragement and to celebrate their efforts and achievements. Check out some gift ideas after the exam.

If you’re looking for expert support and guidance for your child’s revision, you can try out Edumentors. Edumentors’ tutors are experienced and qualified and are great at connecting with children and helping them succeed.

All of the tutors undergo a rigorous qualification check and interview process. Additionally, they are all DBS certified, so you can be confident that your child will be in good hands. Rest assured that Edumentors takes the safety and well-being of your child very seriously. Find an 11-plus tutor from Cambridge, Oxford, Warwick and other top UK universities.