Are you considering the 11+ exam for your child? We know it can be a lot to get your head when you’re first starting. With different exam formats, topics, and consortiums, there is a lot to remember and prepare for, and it can be easy to make mistakes.
The good news is that with the right approach, you can easily avoid these. From choosing the right study materials to starting at the right time, small changes can make a big difference to your child’s 11+ preparation. We’ve compiled a list of the common mistakes parents make while preparing for the 11 plus so you can bypass them.
1. Starting too late
The eternal question: when should you start preparing for the 11 plus exam?
Ideally, we recommend starting in Year 4 or early Year 5. This gives your child plenty of time to prepare for the exam. Starting any later could lead to rushed preparation, and your child won’t have enough time to study.
Start your child doing shorter, 20-minute study sessions a few times a week in Year 4. The focus here should be on building subject knowledge in their core subjects. Gradually lengthen these study sessions by 5 or 10 minutes. Then, in Year 5, you can start incorporating practice tests into their routine and build their exam technique.
Parents should also start looking at the admissions requirements at the same time. Check catchment areas and exam providers, so you’re not caught out later or rushing to prepare.
2. Using the wrong materials
Using the wrong materials is easily done and a common mistake. This is because different schools use different exams. Some have bespoke exams, while others use exam providers like GL Assessment, which all have different formats and topics.
Your child might spend weeks practising verbal reasoning, only to discover it’s not on their exam. Before starting preparation, double-check the exam your child is taking and what topics will be on the test. Once you have a clear understanding, you can target your child’s studies and prepare accordingly.
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3. Long study sessions
When studying for the 11 plus, little and often is the best approach. A common mistake that parents make is thinking that more hours of study leads to better results. But often, it does the opposite, leading to increased exhaustion, stress and difficulty remembering content.
Break down 11+ preparation into manageable chunks and ensure your child has time for downtime and relaxation. Resting will help to improve your child’s focus and overall well-being—it isn’t wasted time. The key to successful 11+ exam preparation is making it productive and engaging—quality is better than quantity.
Children learn best when they're engaged—without that, motivation can quickly fade. Atom Home keeps learning exciting with adaptive, bitesize lessons tailored to your child’s needs. If your child consistently gets questions right, these become harder the more they progress. If they’re finding something trickier, the questions become a little easier. This ensures children stay challenged without feeling demotivated, making learning more effective.
4. Forgetting to build exam technique
Studying the exam topics is only part of the preparation your child needs to do for the 11 plus. Your child also needs to know how to navigate the exam format i.e the different types of questions. Even the brightest children can struggle if they don’t know how to approach an exam.
The first step is to introduce practice papers. We recommend starting with 1-2 practice exams a month. Then, about 6-8 weeks before the 11 plus, increasing this to 1 or 2 a week. This allows your child to get used to the exam and refine their technique without getting overwhelmed.
Your child should focus on learning efficient time management and how to prioritise questions. Sitting timed mock exams will allow them to discover what they’re struggling with. But, the more they practise and prepare, the more confident they’ll feel on exam day. Rather than worrying about the unknown, they can walk into the exam with confidence and focus on the content.
5. Ignoring weak areas
Weak areas are easy to ignore. But these areas often pull your child down in the 11 plus exam. It’s easy to think, “it won’t be on the exam”, but there are no guarantees. Your child won’t know what's on the exam paper until they sit down on exam day. That’s why it’s better to be overly prepared and more confident than to rely on risk.
The first step is identifying what your child is struggling with. Whether it's a particular topic or a type of question, once you know what it is, you can target it. Consistency is key, so make sure to work on their weaker areas regularly. Perhaps even set aside a dedicated day each week that only focuses on the weaker areas.
The more your child practises, the easier it will become. And by the time they take the 11 plus, they’ll be ready to handle whatever the exam throws at them.
Preparing for the 11+ can be challenging, but by avoiding these common mistakes, it can become a little easier. With the right support, your child will be equipped with all the necessary skills they need and can walk into the 11 plus feeling ready and confident.
Stress-free 11+ prep
Preparing for the 11+ doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Atom Learning’s free learning plans and topic lists give you clear, structured guidance for every 11 plus exam—so you can focus on what really matters: supporting your child’s success.
