When should my child start their 11+ preparation? A guide to starting your child's revision at the optimum time.
- profectustutoring
- Jul 26, 2024
- 2 min read
As a parent, knowing when to begin your 11+ journey can be just the start of the many questions you will ask yourself during your child's preparation.
The 11+ grammar exams take place every September, at the very beginning of a Year 6 pupil's academic year. This means that those taking the exam, and are successful in gaining a place at a grammar school, would take up that place the following September.
In order to best prepare for these important examinations, preparation falls into three typical groups.
Most pupils begin their 11 plus journey the September prior to taking the exam. This would be the September of their Year 5 schooling. Having an entire academic year to prepare gives pupils a great opportunity to explore the necessary techniques, revise maths methods and develop strong reasoning skills, as well as get to grips with the high level of vocabulary expected. Gradually revising over the entire academic year also provides plenty of time for gradually building up answering questions at speed, taking beneficial practice tests and having the summer holiday to do any final revision.
I would recommend choosing this route for the typical 11+ learner. If you would like support taking this route, check out my Year 5 revision courses.
2. Some families choose to take a more leisurely approach and begin the 11 plus revision process during Year 4 schooling. Having this extra year or months of revision allows the student to build really solid knowledge of the Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning techniques, develop a high level of vocabulary and to build up to the required speed of answering with little to no pressure. It also often means less revision in their holiday time.
If you are keen to take the most pressure-free route to successful 11+ revision, check out my Year 4 'Get Ahead' course.
3. Finally, some families (often out of necessity) choose the booster revision route. This involves a more intensive revision schedule over the summer holidays, just before the September exam.
Typically, families may choose this option because they have applied for their child to take the 11+ exam at the last minute, or because they want them to simply 'have a go' and do not want to commit to a full timetable of revision throughout the year. However, still wanting to make some preparations for the exam (so that the student knows what to expect when exam day arrives) they choose to take a short-term revision booster course.
If this sounds like something that would benefit your child, check out my Summer 11+ Booster Revision course.
Whichever route your choose to take for your child's 11+ revision, you have the peace of mind of knowing that any prior revision will help them to feel more confident and prepared on the day. Removing the fear of the unknown will definitely help them to answer more successfully, and most importantly, not be overwhelmed by the exam experience.
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