As a parent, you want the best for your child, which typically involves ensuring academic success. However, this can be accomplished if they pass the 11 Plus examination. In the UK, students in their final year of primary education sit the 11 Plus, an entrance exam for prestigious Grammar Schools.
Both parents and pupils can experience anxiety and tension about the 11 Plus exams. Nevertheless, your child can pass the 11 Plus entrance exam with flying colours if they possess the necessary skills and strategies. This article discusses the skills your child needs to pass the 11 Plus entrance exam.
What Essential Subjects Are Tested to Pass the 11 Plus Exam?
Not all 11 Plus examinations share the same criteria and structure. Various counties will use multiple versions; two exam bodies, CEM and GL, create the exams; therefore, it is essential to ask the school which version your child will be taking. Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning are typically the subject areas or disciplines tested to pass the 11 Plus.
1. 11 Plus English
The 11 Plus English portion may test your child on several topics. Your child is tested on spelling, grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, punctuation, understanding, and literacy. To prevent your child from being surprised, cover each of them. Read and write with your child and encourage them to expand their media consumption to improve their vocabulary and linguistic abilities.
2. 11 Plus Mathematics
In contrast to the more general notions around English, this exam component is more specialised. The Maths exam tests your child’s basic skills, including addition, subtraction, and other Key Stage 2 Maths topics. Furthermore, there are strategies to combine arithmetic practice while simultaneously preparing your child for the Non-Verbal Reasoning component of the exam.
3. 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning
It might be challenging to forecast what your child will be required to complete in this area and how you can help them grow and build their abilities so that they perform well. While this is possible, it is recommended that you concentrate on increasing and broadening your child’s vocabulary for this exam portion. Going over sentence construction is also beneficial.
4. 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning
Like its Verbal counterpart, the Non-Verbal Reasoning component of the 11 Plus test may be challenging to foresee what will be asked of your child. In general, your child will be assessed on spatial awareness, forms, and mirrored images, to mention a few. Going through this with your child while practising the Mathematical component will allow you to kill two birds with one stone.
Top Skills Need To Pass The 11 Plus Entrance Exams
Whether you want to practise at home or enrol the children in 11 Plus Tuition, there are many ways to prepare your child for the entrance exam and improve their confidence before the selection test. If you plan on homeschooling your child, you should know what is required to pass the 11 Plus exam.
1. Begin Exam Preparation Early
Most children need at least a little preparation to pass the 11 Plus Grammar School test, and most require a regular study regimen months in advance. A study plan long before the test date will allow your child to practise and discover their strengths and weaknesses. However, make sure an excessive amount of homework doesn’t stress your child out.
It’s usually ideal to spread learning out over time in little pieces so your child doesn’t feel overwhelmed. A 10- or 11-year child can focus for about half an hour before feeling tired. If you have a planned study schedule, your child should only need half an hour every other night to perform well on the test.
2. Explore Both Question Patterns
The 11 Plus test comprises two questions: multiple choice and standard. The conventional style requires a written response, while multiple-choice includes picking the proper answer from various possibilities. If the schools you’re applying to need it, ensure your child practises both question types.
Parents often feel that the best way to prepare for the test is to concentrate only on standard format questions, assuming that multiple choice is simple. However, each style requires unique abilities, so they should be practised in tandem.
3. Utilise Practise Papers
We feel that one of the most efficient ways to pass the 11 Plus is to use practice test papers. Of course, there are more methods to prepare than just one method, but practice papers effectively put theory into practice.
They not only acquaint your child with the test layout but also promote effective time management. Introduce 11 Plus practice papers into your child’s routine around midway through their study programme so they can become acclimated to answering questions under timed settings.
4. Practise Their Times Tables
Your child must understand their timetables comprehensively to do well on the 11 Plus exam. However, this ability will enable them to work more quickly and precisely in Maths and get higher outcomes.
Due to curriculum demands, Maths courses at school tend to move on from studying times tables before children have thoroughly learned them. So ensure you keep studying them together at home or with a teacher to polish their understanding.
5. Establish Preparation Plan
Ignore what other parents are doing after you’ve developed your strategy and seen that it works well for your child. Other parents will brag about their kids’ long study hours and challenging problems at the school gate.
If your 11 Plus exam preparation plan is working, you should continue to use it. Remember that not everything has to be about the study and that the child will need a vacation occasionally.
6. Reduce Exam Stress
Parents might unintentionally add to the stress. Try not to spend all your time discussing their schoolwork or new school. Children are concerned about disappointing their parents, which may lead to underperformance. Even if you intend well, avoid putting too much pressure on others or setting unrealistic expectations.
Even the most intelligent child may significantly underperform when under pressure. Instead, strive to make your preparations as easy and enjoyable as possible. Assure your child that failing does not mean the end of the world.
7. Build Learning Stamina
You and the child will both need endurance to get through this. You must have the stamina to devote time to assisting their study, and they must have the endurance to go through the preparations and the test itself.
The test day is very rigorous; some students may have never worked so hard for so long. Try several trial days yourself or with a tutor to assist your child with a sense of what the day will be like and practise concentrating for such a long time.
8. Employ 11 Plus Tutoring
Due to their hectic home lives, many parents are too preoccupied to plan a complete programme for their children. Hiring a specialist 11 Plus tutor to manage academic obligations is often preferable.
Remember, the 11 Plus is not taught in schools, yet the system assures us that only the sharpest students who study properly will pass. Parents must often supply their children with 11 Plus tutoring for better exam preparation.
Conclusion
Success in the 11 Plus test requires the blending of many talents. Your child will be well-prepared for this challenging test by emphasising Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths, and English abilities. Provide a good learning environment and practice resources to help students prepare. Commitment and the right skills may help your child pass the 11 Plus and enter their dream Grammar School.