Preparing for the 11+ examinations is hard work. The top schools are highly competitive and they are looking for the children who ‘stand-out’ from the rest. As tutors, we do everything that we can to help your child reach their full potential in English, maths, VR and NVR. But we can’t do everything!
In addition to weekly tuition, it is vital that you develop your child’s skills at home, to ensure that they have the best possible chance.
Here are our Top 5 Tips which we would strongly recommend your child to do at home.
1) Read a range of novels.
Whilst we can teach your child how to answer comprehension questions, the only way that they can improve their understanding of a text is to read at home. Reading will also help to develop your child’s writing skills, teaching them how they can write in a naturally sophisticated style with ambitious vocabulary, passion and fluency.
Bright Light Education 11+ Reading List
Bright Light Education Recommended Reading List
2) Broaden your vocabulary
The comprehension passage will be full of difficult words. The more words that your child knows, the better.
3) Improve your Mental Maths
The faster your child can think mathematically, the more questions they will be able to answer. Ensure that they know their times tables fluently; quiz them in shops; complete 10 minute tests every day to keep their minds ticking!
4) Have extra-curricular interests
Schools not only want academic children, they are looking for children with extra-curricular interests, such as sport and music. In the interview, your child will most likely be asked what they are passionate about. Help find your child a passion!
5) Prepare for the interview
Develop your child’s speaking skills! Ask them what they are passionate about! Ask them a different question every day. During the interview, your child will probably be asked about what has been happening in the news. First News, The Week Junior and CBBC Newsround are great for children to keep up-to-date with current affairs.
Other Blogposts
Why should your child join our creative writing courses?
Children study English often every day at school so why are our creative writing courses so important? In the latest national Key Stage 2 assessment results published in July 2024, 72% of pupils met the expected standard in writing at the end of Key Stage 2, a lower...
Adaptive Tests and How to Prepare for Them
Adaptive tests have become increasingly popular, particularly for 11+ independent school examinations where they have the facilities for each child to have their own device and take their own test online. They are not currently used by any grammar schools in their...
Igniting Writing: Why it Matters in 2025
In July 2023, the National Literacy Trust published a report entitled, Children and Young People’s Writing in 2023. The report summarises the findings from their 2023 Annual Literacy Survey, which was completed by 71,351 children and young people aged 5-18 in schools...