{"id":5936,"date":"2017-07-20T09:00:06","date_gmt":"2017-07-20T09:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mytutor.co.uk\/blog\/?p=5936"},"modified":"2021-08-18T13:03:50","modified_gmt":"2021-08-18T13:03:50","slug":"the-mytutor-guide-to-the-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mytutor.co.uk\/blog\/uncategorized\/the-mytutor-guide-to-the-11\/","title":{"rendered":"The MyTutor Guide to the 11+"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is the 11+? <\/b><\/h2>\n

If you have a child nearing their final years of primary school, you\u2019ll have probably heard of the 11+<\/a> (sometimes written as \u2018eleven-plus\u2019, or referred to as the \u2018Transfer Test\u2019). It\u2019s a non-compulsory exam sat by thousands of students in England and Northern Ireland in Year 6, when most pupils are 10 years old, and it can\u00a0impact your child’s senior school options. It usually takes place in September, at the beginning of the first school term of the academic year.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Although the test usually contains sections for Maths<\/a>, English<\/a>, and verbal and non-verbal reasoning<\/a>, its content isn\u2019t the same everywhere. Because there is no uniformity to the exam, it is worth checking the content with your child\u2019s school, or on the relevant local authority website. <\/span><\/p>\n

Where your child sits it will also vary depending on where they are at school. If their primary school is a local authority state school, then they will sit it there. If they are at a different type of school, such as an independent school, they will usually sit the 11+ at a local grammar school.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Who needs to sit it? <\/b><\/h2>\n

The 11+ is not a blanket entrance test for all schools. Your child only needs to sit the exam if they are planning on applying to a grammar school. There are only 164 of these remaining in England, with most of them concentrated in key areas such as Buckinghamshire, Kent, Barnet, and Kingston. Additionally, although Northern Ireland officially discontinued the 11+ in 2008, some ex-grammar schools continue to use it in their selection process. When the 11+ was introduced, however, in 1944, grammar schools were more widespread. Your results on the test determined whether you went to a grammar school, a secondary modern school, or a technical school.<\/span><\/p>\n

The full list of areas which still have grammar schools is: Berkshire; Bristol; Buckinghamshire; Cheshire; Cumbria; Devon; Dorset; Essex; Gloucestershire; Hertfordshire; Kent; Lancashire; Lincolnshire; London; Manchester; Middlesex; Shropshire; Surrey; Warwickshire; West Midlands; West Yorkshire and Wiltshire. <\/span><\/p>\n

What do I need to know? <\/b><\/h2>\n

The 11+ tests students on Maths<\/a>, English, and verbal and non-verbal reasoning. The Maths and English sections are fairly straightforward. They\u2019ll test mental maths, and creative writing. The verbal and non-verbal reasoning sections, on the other hand, require a little bit more explanation. Schools will often give students the chance to practice some questions at school in the days leading up to the exam. <\/span><\/p>\n

Verbal reasoning<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

This section will test grammar and vocabulary, asking your child to solve language-related problems and examining their understanding of words. Children will do better if they are well read, with a wide vocabulary and good general knowledge. To help your child prepare, you can read with them, or play word games such as crosswords or Scrabble. The format of the questions can also take some getting used to, so it\u2019s worth running through some practice questions in advance. Here are some examples of verbal reasoning questions:<\/span><\/p>\n