11 top tips from specialist teachers on how to prepare kids for the 11+ exam

October half term is quickly approaching, and if your child is about to sit the 11+, stress levels might just be starting to rise.

To help, we’ve asked our teachers to share their top tips for helping prepare children for what is often the very first exam they’ll face. As experienced teachers they know firsthand - and as any parent will testify - that it can be difficult to motivate children at this age.

With that in mind, here are 11 tips for getting them to enjoy revision, rather than overwhelming them.

1. Keep revision short and manageable

For a 10-year-old, sitting down for an hour of independent revision can feel enormous. Start with short bursts of around 10 to 15 minutes. A focused quarter of an hour is often much more productive than a long session where concentration disappears.

2. Don't turn revision into a punishment

Try to avoid rows, threats or punishments when revision does not happen. That risks teaching children to associate learning with conflict. 

3. Give them something enjoyable to look forward to

Before revision starts, plan something enjoyable for them to do once it's done and tell them that's the reward. This gives them a clear finish line to aim for and keeps the atmosphere around studying positive, making it much easier to motivate them to start.

4. Make revision part of the routine

Children are more likely to stick with revision when it becomes a normal part of the week, rather than something that only happens when panic sets in. Pick a regular time and place for 11+ practice so they know what to expect. A consistent routine can make revision feel less daunting and reduce the arguments around getting started.

5. Praise effort, not test scores

Try not to make every practice paper about whether they got 70% or 90%. Praise them for concentrating, persevering and learning from mistakes. Children need to understand that ability is something they can improve through practice, rather than something they either have or don’t have.

6. Don’t jump in with the answer

When your child gets stuck, it can be tempting to tell them what to do. Instead, give them a little thinking time and ask questions that help them work towards the answer themselves. Learning to persevere when the solution isn’t immediately obvious is an important exam skill in its own right.

7. Ask them to explain their answers

A correct answer does not necessarily mean a child fully understands the question. Ask, “How did you work that out?” or get them to teach the method back to you. Explaining their thinking is one of the best ways to reveal whether they really understand a topic.

8. Make revision interactive

10-year-olds' brains are much different from 18-year-olds'. Independent study works much better for older children, but it's a lot to ask for a 10-year-old who's never done revision before to simply get on with it. Quizzes, live lessons, asking questions aloud or solving problems together can all make revision feel much more engaging.

9. Involve them in the decision-making process

You're never going to get your child to revise if you're the one that has to bring the motivation. Talk to them about why they're sitting the 11+ and how they feel about it. Visit prospective schools together and ask them what they liked and disliked. A school they’re genuinely excited about gives their revision a purpose beyond simply “passing a test”.

10. Don't pile on the pressure

If the exam is approaching and you feel your child is behind, resist the temptation to dramatically increase their workload. Focus on short, regular practice, identify a few areas where they need support and keep the experience in perspective. Confidence, perseverance and understanding are likely to help them far more than a frantic final few weeks.

11. And finally, consider

It’s never too early, or late, to enlist expert support. At MyEdSpace we offer a full year of specialist 11+ preparation,  with Joe Sim and Louis Provis, culminating in a three-week summer bootcamp.

What’s more, whether your child passes the 11+ or not, you can still guarantee them access to a high-quality education. We offer full academic year courses in English, Maths and Science for Year 5 and Year 6 students.

With our no-obligation £10, 10-day trial, you can see for yourself why learning online with MyEdSpace is not school, not tutoring - but something better.