The 11 Plus exam is a selective entrance assessment for Year 5 or 6 students preparing to enter secondary school in the United Kingdom.1
The exam usually covers four main areas: English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. However, the exact 11+ syllabus depends on the school, local authority and exam provider, so parents should always check the admissions information for their target schools.
📍 English tests reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and sometimes creative writing.
📍Maths is based mainly on Key Stage 2 topics, including number, fractions, percentages, shape, measures and problem-solving.
📍Verbal reasoning assesses word-based logic, while non-verbal reasoning tests pattern recognition and spatial awareness.
What Is Covered in the 11 Plus Exam Syllabus?
There is no standard national syllabus or format; instead, the exam follows the guidelines of specific exam providers, such as GL Assessment, as well as local school consortiums, such as the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), and individual schools' own assessments.
The four subjects most commonly associated with the 11+ are:
- English
- Mathematics
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
However, not every 11+ exam tests all four subjects. Some schools may focus only on English and mathematics assessments, whereas some may incorporate additional components according to their selection criteria. So parents need to check the specific requirements of the school or examination provider their child is applying to.
| Subject | What it tests | Common question types |
|---|---|---|
| English | Reading, vocabulary, grammar, writing | Comprehension, spelling, punctuation, creative writing |
| Maths | KS2 maths and problem-solving | Arithmetic, fractions, geometry, word problems |
| Verbal Reasoning | Word logic and vocabulary | Codes, analogies, sequences, odd one out |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Visual logic and spatial skills | Patterns, matrices, rotations, shapes |
11 Plus English Syllabus
First, let’s explore the 11 Plus English components, which assess a candidate’s fluency in the language.
Fluency is the developmental process that connects decoding with everything we know about words to make the meaning of the text come to life. Fluency is a wonderful bridge to comprehension and to a life-long love of reading.
Maryanne Wolf, researcher
Reading comprehension
For reading comprehension, students need to answer a series of questions based on an excerpt from a fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or classic text.
The questions for this section are designed to assess the following skills:
Finding a specific detail from the passage
Describing what a character is thinking or feeling(through quotes/elaborations)
Working out the meaning of a word (used in the passage)
Explaining why the author has used a particular word or phrase
Concluding something that is implied rather than directly stated
Vocabulary, grammar, spelling and punctuation
This is another key section of the 11 Plus English test where students are tested on word meanings, synonyms and antonyms, sentence construction and grammatical accuracy. 2 Here are some examples:
Creative writing and written tasks
Some schools include creative writing or extended writing as part of their 11+ English assessment, while others do not.
The common writing tasks under this section include:
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the 11 Plus English paper.
11 Plus Maths Curriculum
Next, let's explore how students are assessed for mathematics.
Doing mathematics should always mean finding patterns and crafting beautiful and meaningful explanations.
Paul Lockhart, mathematician
Number and arithmetic
Some common topics under this section include:
- Place value and ordering numbers
- The four operations
- Factors, multiples and prime numbers
- Odd and even numbers
- Rounding and estimation
- Negative numbers
- Square numbers and simple number patterns
- Mental arithmetic
Fractions, decimals, percentages and ratio
This topic is important as it equips students to solve real-life problems involving fractions and percentages. Some key questions under this section include:
- Equivalent fractions
- Comparing and ordering fractions
- Arithmetic operations involving fractions
- Converting between fractions, decimals and percentages
- Finding a percentage of an amount
- Percentage increase and decrease
- Ratio and proportion
- Sharing quantities in a given ratio
Shape, space, measures and data
These topics fall under the category of measurement, geometry and statistics, which are key areas of mathematics. Here are some examples:
- 2D and 3D shapes and their properties
- Angles
- Symmetry and coordinates
- Perimeter and area
- Volume
- Units of measurement and conversions
- Time and timetables
- Money
Students might also come across questions that require them to read data such as tables and charts (bar charts and line graphs) and interpret them.
Problem-solving and multi-step questions
One of the key features of 11 Plus Maths papers is their emphasis on mathematical reasoning and problem-solving.
Students would need to perform multiple calculations based on several operations and also how they correctly interpret the questions.
A book costs £12. It is reduced by 25%. Sarah pays with a £10 note. How much change does she receive?
Step 1: Find 25% of £12 = £3
Step 2: £12 − £3 = £9
Step 3: £10 − £9 = £1
Answer: £1
Here's an overview of core Key Stage 2 topics and skills that students need to master for their 11 Plus maths assessments.
| Core KS2 maths topics | Common 11+ extension skills |
|---|---|
| Number and place value | Complex number patterns |
| Four operations | Multi-step calculations |
| Fractions, decimals and percentages | Applying concepts in unfamiliar contexts |
| Ratio and proportion | Advanced ratio and proportional reasoning |
| Measurement | Multi-stage measurement problems |
| Geometry and angles | Combining several geometric concepts |
| Perimeter, area and volume | Reverse and multi-step problems |
| Statistics and data | Interpreting unfamiliar charts and tables |
| Problem-solving | Logical reasoning and efficient strategies |
11 Plus Verbal Reasoning Syllabus
Verbal reasoning assesses students' word-based logic and language reasoning skills. Unlike the English exam, it focuses on identifying patterns, relationships and rules involving words and letters — where a strong vocabulary would come in handy.
All the reading your child should do to prepare for the 11 Plus English paper will help them grow their vocabulary. That won't be enough for success on this paper. They should also master words' synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms (words with the same spelling, but different meanings). Going further, they need to know number, letter, and symbol codes.
The exact question types vary according to 11+ exam providers and schools, but here are some common verbal reasoning topics:
| Verbal reasoning topic | What it tests | Example question |
|---|---|---|
| Synonyms | Understanding words with similar meanings | Which word means the same as “rapid”? A) Slow B) Quick C) Heavy D) Quiet |
| Antonyms | Recognising words with opposite meanings | Which word is the opposite of “ancient”? A) Old B) Modern C) Historic D) Traditional |
| Word relationships | Identifying how words are connected | Bird is to nest as bee is to . A) Hive B) Web C) Burrow D) Den |
| Analogies | Applying a relationship between two words to another pair | Puppy : Dog :: Kitten : ? A) Cat B) Cow C) Horse D) Rabbit |
| Codes | Identifying rules used to represent letters or words | If CAT → DBU, what does DOG become? |
| Letter sequences | Recognising patterns in letters | What comes next? B, D, F, H, ? |
| Hidden words | Finding a word concealed within a longer word or phrase | Find the hidden animal: cAT HOME |
| Compound words | Identifying words that can be joined to form another word | Which word can follow “sun” to make a compound word? |
| Odd one out | Identifying the item that does not follow the same rule | Which is the odd one out? Apple, Pear, Carrot, Banana |
| Word groups | Classifying words according to meaning or characteristics | Which word belongs with rose, tulip, daisy? |
| Logical reasoning | Using clues and relationships to reach a conclusion | Tom is taller than Ben. Ben is taller than Sam. Who is shortest? |
| Word puzzles | Combining language skills to solve a problem | Rearrange the letters in “EAT” to make another word. |
Discover more about the significance of verbal reasoning in 11 Plus exams.
11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning Syllabus
Most people assume that non-verbal reasoning must mean communicating without any words. It tests your child's problem-solving skills using only visual information such as:
- Patterns
- Sequences
- Matrices
- Rotations
- Reflections
- Nets
- Symmetry
- 3D shapes
- Spatial awareness
The 11 Plus non-verbal reasoning paper targets your child's ability to recognise patterns and think logically. It tests their spatial and other cognitive skills essential for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects.
| Verbal reasoning | Non-verbal reasoning |
|---|---|
| Uses words, letters and numbers | Uses shapes, diagrams and visual patterns |
| Tests language-based logic | Tests visual and spatial reasoning |
| Includes analogies, codes and word relationships | Includes sequences, matrices and rotations |
| Vocabulary can be important | Relies less heavily on vocabulary |
| Requires familiarity with language-based question types | Requires familiarity with visual question types |
Important tip: Even though non-verbal reasoning does not rely heavily on reading ability, it still requires sufficient practice.
Here are some examples:
| NVR question type | Simple example & answer |
|---|---|
| Pattern sequence | ▲ → ▶ → ▼ → ? Answer: ◀ — the triangle rotates 90° each time. |
| Rotation | An arrow points ↑ and is rotated 180°. Answer: ↓ |
| Mirror image | A dot is on the left of a shape. In a vertical mirror, the dot appears on the right. |
Exam Format, Timing and Syllabus Variations
There is no single, standardised format for the 11 Plus exams. The tests can vary according to the combination of subjects, number of questions, and timing, across exam providers, schools, and local authorities. 3
Multiple-choice vs standard form
Many 11 Plus assessments use a multiple-choice format, where answers are marked on a separate answer sheet rather than directly in the question booklet.
Some assessments also require students to provide a full written response when solving maths problems or completing a creative writing task.
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| Multiple choice | What is 25 × 4? A) 50 B) 75 C) 100 D) 125 ➡️Answer: C |
| Written answer | What is 25 × 4? → 100. ➡️The pupil writes the answer rather than selecting an option. |
| Creative writing | Write a short story beginning with: “When I opened the door, I couldn't believe what I saw…” |
| Extended response | Describe a mysterious place. ➡️Pupils write a longer passage using descriptive language, appropriate vocabulary and accurate spelling and punctuation. |
How the 11+ syllabus varies by school or region
Ultimately, the 11 Plus exam syllabus is very much dependent on the school's admission discretion. Some may include the four core components, while some would prefer to focus on a selected few.
| School Examples | 11+ subjects / components | What this shows |
|---|---|---|
| King Edward’s School, Birmingham | English + Mathematics | Some schools use English and Maths only. Its papers are written and set by the school, and Verbal Reasoning is no longer included. |
| Wetherby Senior School | English + Mathematics + Verbal Reasoning + Non-Verbal Reasoning | Some schools assess all four core areas. |
| Solihull School | English + Mathematics + Verbal Reasoning + Non-Verbal Reasoning | Reasoning can be included alongside English and Maths, with creative writing within the English assessment. |
| Halliford School | English + Mathematics + Verbal Reasoning + Non-Verbal Reasoning | Some school assessments also include creative writing as part of English. |
| FSCE / Crossley Heath | English + Mathematics + Creative Writing | Some regional assessments use creative writing instead of separate verbal and non-verbal reasoning papers. |
GL, CEM-style and school-written exams
The 11+ may be delivered by an external exam provider or through a school-specific assessment. For example, GL Assessment is an external school assessment.
GL Assessment
- One of the most widely used 11+ providers
- Commonly assesses English, maths, verbal Reasoning and/or non-verbal reasoning
- Usually uses multiple-choice questions and answer sheets
CEM
Style
- Historically used by some grammar schools
- Often combines different skills and uses short, timed sections
- May assess several areas within the same assessment
School-written exams
- Designed by individual schools or local consortiums
- Content and format are tailored to the school's requirements
- May include written answers or creative writing
How to Use the 11+ Syllabus for Preparation
A good preparation plan for 11 Plus often begins with understanding the syllabus (of your child's exam provider) to help your children to master all the tested components.
In fact, the preparation timeline can start as early as Year 4 to build a strong foundation.
Year 4
Build strong foundations in tested components
Early Year 5
Identify and cover all the syllabus gaps; focus on weaker topics
Mid Year 5
Begin topic-based practice for different questions and subjects
Summer before the exam
Start doing mixed-topic practice and complete mock exams under time pressure
Final weeks
Review the paper and final answers, note down the mistakes, and practice on similar questions
Tip: The preparation timeline can be adjusted and adapted according to your child's actual exam date, format and learning pace.
Start with a diagnostic check
First, we highly recommend parents let their child do a short diagnostic test to see where their strengths lie and which areas that they need more practice on.
From there, you'll know how to plan your timetable and which resources to practice more.
Build a balanced study plan
If your child's 11 Plus exam provider is GL Assessment, make sure their study plan revolves around all the tested components: English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
You can plan a study plan for different subjects, rotating them throughout the week. Here's an example:
Monday: English comprehension and vocabulary
Tuesday: Maths and problem-solving
Wednesday: Verbal reasoning
Thursday: Maths and arithmetic
Friday: Non-verbal reasoning
Practise exam technique
Besides mastering the 11 Plus syllabus, it's also important for students to master the right exam techniques. Two keys are important here: accuracy and speed.
Here are some tips to help your child achieve the best of both worlds during their 11 Plus exam preparation:
- Practising under time pressure
- Moving on from difficult questions and returning to them later, especially for multiple-choice questions
- Identifying keywords and interpreting them accordingly
- Reviewing mistakes and understanding why an answer was incorrect
Use mock exams at the right stage
Also, don't forget to encourage your child to practice with complete 11 Plus mock exams. However, it should be only introduced once they have covered the core syllabus and had sufficient topical practice.
Make sure to focus on areas of improvement after each mock test instead of the scores. After all, mock exams are a good measure of progress.
11 Plus Syllabus Checklist
Finally, here's a practical checklist for parents while preparing for their 11 Plus exam, to ensure everything gets covered on time.
We hope you've enjoyed reading this article and learning about the 11 Plus exam preparation. May this preparation journey be an effective and successful one!
References
- 11+ Exam Explained | The Good Schools Guide. (2025). In The Good Schools Guide. https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/uk-schools/advice/secondary-school-understanding-the-11-plus
- Admin, C., & Admin, C. (2016, July 17). How to prepare for English - chuckra 11 plus. Chuckra 11 Plus - Your Path to 11+ Success. https://www.11plus.co.uk/how-to-prepare-for-english/
- GL Assessment 11+. (2017). GL Assessment 11+. https://11plus.gl-assessment.co.uk/pages/faqs
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