Should You Start 11 Plus Prep in Year 4, Year 5… or Later?
- Holly Christine
- Oct 2, 2025
- 3 min read
I often get asked: “When should my child start preparing for the 11 Plus?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right time depends on several factors.
Before we dive in, let’s briefly cover what the 11 Plus exam actually is.
The 11 Plus is an entrance exam for grammar schools and some independent schools. These schools are highly competitive, and the pass mark is very demanding. The tests usually cover verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. The aim is to assess natural ability and problem-solving skills, rather than just rote learning.
So, when is the right time to start preparing?
Factors to Consider
The ideal starting point will depend on:
Your child’s current ability – Are they confident at school? Working at “greater depth” in maths and English?
Their reading habits – Do they read widely and enjoy challenging texts?
School support – Is the school stretching and challenging them enough?
The type of exam – GL, CEM, or independent school entrance exams each have slightly different emphases.
Family life – Do they already have lots of after-school clubs? Is there a risk of burnout?
Starting in Year 4
Many children begin their 11 Plus journey in Year 4.
Advantages:
Provides plenty of time to build skills gradually.
Helps children who are less confident academically to strengthen core foundations.
Allows space to develop verbal and non-verbal reasoning in a gentle, low-pressure way.
Builds confidence step by step.
Things to watch out for:
If preparation is too intense, children may “peak” too early.
Risk of boredom or resistance if the process feels repetitive.
What I recommend: If you're going to start in year 4 then keep it fun and skills-based with reading, puzzles, problem-solving activities, and maths games. There is no rush so make it an enjoyable experience, not something they will dread for the next 2 years!
Starting in Year 5
This is the most common starting point, and for good reason. Most 11 plus exams are in the September of Year 6- so starting in Year 5 make sense.
Advantages:
Gives around a year to prepare, which is practical and realistic.
Enough time to cover the syllabus and build exam technique.
Children are more mature and better able to focus.
Less risk of burnout compared to starting too early.
Challenges:
If a child is behind in core subjects, they may feel pressure as the exam approaches.
What I recommend: structured weekly practice, with mock tests introduced later in the year to build stamina and confidence.
Starting in Year 6
Some children only begin formal preparation in Year 6, especially those sitting independent school exams in January. This approach is only recommended if your child is naturally academic and working at a Great Depth level in Maths and English at school
Advantages:
Lower stress earlier on, as prep is closer to the test date.
Works well if the child already has a strong academic foundation.
Focuses on exam technique and familiarisation with question style.
Your child is good at working under pressure and to strict deadlines.
Challenges:
Very little time to fill knowledge gaps if the child is not already working at greater depth.
Preparation can feel intense and rushed.
What I recommend: short-term, focused preparation with regular tuition sessions (2 per week works well) and additional practice at home. This is about cramming in a years worth of content into just a few months- it will be intense but over a short time frame.
Final Thoughts
There really is no single “perfect” time to start 11 Plus prep. It all depends on the child.
What matters most is steady, consistent practice rather than cramming. Starting earlier doesn’t always mean better. Parents can support their child’s journey by encouraging regular reading, building reasoning skills through games and puzzles, and ensuring plenty of time for hobbies, play, and downtime alongside preparation.
If you're child is sitting the 11 plus Bolton School Entrance Exam then download my Bolton School Parent's Guide.
If you’d like tailored support for your child, I offer private one-to-one tuition designed to prepare children for the 11 Plus in a calm, structured, and confidence-boosting way. See my time table below...
September 2025 (see updated timetable on the group tuition page.
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