The Eleven Plus exams, commonly referred to as the 11 plus, are a set of entrance exams for secondary schools in the United Kingdom, and a system that has been in place for almost a century.
These exams are designed to identify the most academically able children for admission to grammar schools and other selective secondary schools. The 11-plus exams are taken by students in their final year of primary school, around the age of 10 or 11, and determine the prospects for their coming academic years.
11 Plus tuition is very popular, and it isn’t hard to understand why. This can be a difficult challenge for people to undertake at a young age, and some extra support through tutoring can take some of the burden off, as well as achieve more success.
11 Plus Explained
The Eleven Plus exams were introduced in the 1940s as part of the Education Act 1944, which aimed to create a tripartite system of secondary education consisting of grammar schools, technical schools, and secondary modern schools.
The goal was to provide an educational path that was suited to the abilities and interests of each child. Grammar schools, which focused on academic excellence, required students to pass the 11 plus exams if they wanted to get in. Older generations in the UK will remember what it was like to take this exam.
Over the years, the structure of education in the UK has evolved, and the number of grammar schools has decreased. However, in areas where grammar schools and private schools exist, the 11 Plus exams remain a crucial part of the admissions process. Around 100,000 pupils sit the 11-plus each year, so it is still a hugely important part of the schooling system.
Pupils sit the exam in the UK every year
Exam Format and Subjects
The content and format of the 11+ exams can vary depending on the region and the specific schools to which a student is applying. However, the exams generally cover four main areas:
- Verbal Reasoning: This section tests a student's ability to understand and reason using concepts framed in words. It often includes questions on analogies, synonyms, antonyms, and logic puzzles. Verbal reasoning assesses a child's comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: This part evaluates a student's ability to understand and analyse visual information. Questions typically involve identifying patterns, shapes, and sequences. Non-verbal reasoning is designed to test a child's spatial awareness and problem-solving abilities without relying on language skills.
- Mathematics: The maths section covers topics that align with the national curriculum for primary school students, such as arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and data handling. Questions may range from straightforward calculations to more complex problem-solving scenarios.
- English: This section is all about reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Students may be asked to read passages and answer questions, complete sentences, or correct errors. The English section evaluates a child's ability in the language and their ability to interpret written material.
Tutoring for 11 Plus exams can focus on these areas, and this is why a lot of people are keen to work with specific tutors or get their children support with the exams.
Another reason people need as much support as possible is the fact that the exams are not uniform across the UK. Different regions and schools may use different exam boards, such as the GL Assessment or CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring), each with its own style and emphasis. Working with a tutor in one specific area means they may have background knowledge of which exam boards are used in the area and help students prepare constructively.
Some schools may also include additional tests or assessments, such as interviews or creative writing tasks.
11 Plus Tuition: Working With a Tutor
Tutoring for 11 Plus exams is very popular, and a lot of the students that are being asked to go through the exams have some level of support from tutors first.
One of the top advantages is the personalised attention that a tutor provides. Unlike a classroom setting, a tutor can tailor their teaching methods to suit the individual learning style and pace of the student. In a lot of schools, the focus isn’t on 11 Plus, meaning that it won’t be covered in detail (although some of the skills learned in school are helpful). If your child goes to school and hopes to take the 11 Plus in Birmingham or London and wants to prepare for the Eleven Plus, schools may or may not be helpful in preparing for this.
So, a customised approach ensures that specific strengths are maximised and weaknesses are effectively addressed, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the material, even if it isn’t covered in schools.
A tutor's expertise in the 11+ exam format is another valuable asset, especially as this could be the first formal exam children take.
Tutors are often well-versed in the intricacies of the test, including the types of questions that are likely to appear and the best strategies for tackling them. As there is a regional element, a Manchester 11 Plus tutor is more likely to know the requirements in the area, for example.
This knowledge can help students navigate the exam with greater confidence and efficiency. Tutors can also provide a wealth of practice materials and simulate exam conditions, which is crucial for building familiarity and reducing anxiety on the actual test day.
In-Person or Online Lessons
The preparation for Eleven Plus can be flexible. At Superprof, we have a range of tutors. Some of them offer in-person lessons, some offer online tuition, and some offer both.
There are pros and cons to each, but the 11 Plus exams are among those that can potentially be studied for online.
In Person
In-person lessons make it easier for demonstration when they are needed, and can be easier to stay focussed, depending on learning style. Activities like simulating exam conditions are also much easier if they are required.
Online 11 Plus Tuition
Online lessons are a very convenient way of doing things for many people, especially in rural areas. It may not be a problem studying in a big city, but rural areas may make it harder to meet in person. Online tuition also allows for flexibility in terms of times, and at Superprof, tutors have many different tools to make the lessons engaging even when they’re not in the same room.
In Person 🫱🏼🫲🏾
Easier to stay engaged and possible to simulate exam conditions
Online 🖥️
A convenient way for people to learn in their own time and using a variety of tools
11 Plus Learning Resources
There are a lot of learning resources out there that can complement 11 Plus tuition, or that a tutor can go through with a learner to try to boost their knowledge.
Bond 11+ Books
These comprehensive workbooks cover all areas of the 11+ exams, including verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English. They offer practice questions, detailed explanations, and tips for improving exam technique.
CGP 11+ Practice Papers
CGP's range of practice papers is designed to mimic the format and difficulty of actual 11 Plus exams. They provide realistic timed tests and detailed answer keys to help students assess their performance and identify areas for improvement.
11 Plus Lifeline
An online platform that offers interactive practice questions, full-length mock exams, and progress tracking. It is designed to adapt to a student's learning pace, and marking is available with the paid plans.
GL Assessment and CEM Practice Papers
Specific to the two main exam boards for the 11 Plus, you can find practice papers to help familiarise students with the styles and formats of questions they will encounter. They are great targeted preparation based on the chosen exam board.
| Resource | Test/Past Exams? | Revision Books? | Pro | Con |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond 11+ Books | Yes | Yes | Excellent books that are easy to understand | No access to specific past papers, only practice papers |
| CGP 11+ Practice Papers | Yes | Yes | A huge number of past papers to practice for students | It can be expensive buying a lot of different books |
| 11 Plus Lifeline | Yes | Yes | Lots of resources and different options for different learning styles (visual, text) | Costly paid membership just to access materials |
| GL Assessment and CEM Practice Papers | Yes | No | Detailed practice and past papers from the organisations that accredit the 11 Plus | Just exams, with very few other learning resources |
Find an 11 Plus Tutor With Superprof
Superprof’s platform can help people to connect with tutors no matter where they are based, from Manchester to London tuition, with both online and in-person lessons available. People can choose a tutor and a learning style to suit them, and get the best possible preparation.
For a lot of young people, the 11 Plus is the first time they are put under any form of exam pressure, so helping them with somebody to tutor 11 Plus and guide them through the process can make all the difference. Tutors also get to know the exam boards as well as trends in the testing, so they can prepare students for the sort of thing they can expect and even simulate exam conditions. Start your search for a tutor here on Superprof today.
Did you pass the 11 Plus Exam?
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