Top free resources for 11+ exams: online platforms, practice papers, forums and more
Preparing your child for 11+ exams can be overwhelming, especially with the abundance of resources available. That said, the right high-quality, free materials can make the process more manageable. This is why we’ve compiled the best practice papers, study guides, and interactive learning tools to help your child succeed.
With this, it’s worth mentioning that a bulk of the information available pertains to the GL Assessment 11+ exam, as it’s the most common type used. Of course, there are also some resources for the CEM 11+ exam contained in the following links. However, by nature, that test style is more challenging to coach based on past exams. This is covered in further detail in our guide to the eleven-plus (11+) exams.
In the following article, we cover everything from online platforms featuring comprehensive test preparation to downloadable practice exams. We hope such resources provide invaluable support for your child. Read on to discover where to find support and insight for 11+ exams, broken into easy to digest sections.
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Free online practice papers
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Prepare for 11+ exams with MyEdSpace
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YouTube channels
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Parents’ guides and resources
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Online forums and communities
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Additional online forums
Free online practice papers for 11+
Photo taken from Bond Online.
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Secondary Entrance: offering sample papers with mark schemes for each subject, their collection includes past maths and English papers from various schools. These include Kent School, City of London – Girls, and Kingston Grammar School. This allows parents and students to verify the quality and value of resources provided.
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Bond Online: a well-known publisher of resources for 11+ exams, Bond Online offers a selection of free practice papers for students to download and use. The practice papers are categorised by subject and difficulty, making it easy for students to target specific areas for improvement.
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GL Assessment: the exam board website of GL Assessment provides familiarisation in four areas: English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Each file contains two question papers, answer sheets, and guidance for parents.
While familiarisation papers and practice papers offer valuable support when preparing for
11+ exams, they differ in several key ways:
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Availability: familiarisation papers are freely available for download, while practice papers must be purchased.
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Format: familiarisation papers are in PDF format for home printing, whereas practice papers come as printed booklets.
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Content: each set contains exclusive content, ensuring a unique testing experience.
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Purpose: familiarisation papers help students get accustomed to the test styles, while practice papers provide comprehension preparation, including timed test conditions.
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CGP Books: a famous educational publisher in the UK, CGP Books offers free practice papers for 11+ exams. These contain realistic exam questions at the same level as the final tests. Please note their practice papers do not include official questions and are not endorsed by GL Assessment. For each subject, you receive a practice paper and answer sheet.
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11 Plus Guide: this website provides practice papers for English, maths, verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. The 11 Plus Guide helps prepare your child for both the CEM and GL Assessment 11+ exams.
You’ll find 11 Plus Guide’s GL Assessment subjects below.
YouTube channels for 11+ exam preparation
As you’re likely aware, YouTube is an invaluable resource for students of all ages. Preparing for 11+ exams is no exception. When searching online, you’ll find many YouTube channels with free video tutorials, practice questions, and exam tips especially for 11+ exams. To save you some time, we’ve compiled the best YouTube channel to help your child succeed.
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Eleven Plus Exams: renowned as the UK’s largest free advisory channel for 11+ exams, they bring nearly two decades of tutoring experience. The goal of Eleven Plus Exams is to transform preparation for selective school entrance exams, and demystify the admissions process. Here you’ll find insights on the most effective ways to revise, practice, and learn for 11+ exams.
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11Plushelp: offering a comprehensive collection of video tutorials and practice questions for 11+ exams, 11Plushelp is organised by subject and difficulty level. This allows students to target specific areas for improvement, and best strategise for success.
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Easy 11 Plus: this channel by Robert Lomax helps students prepare for 11+ exams. The videos cover various subjects and topics, offering a comprehensive study resource. Easy 11 Plus also provides tips and advice on techniques and time management. Each lesson focuses on a crucial exam topic and comes with a free worksheet linked in each livestream or video description.
Parents' guide and resources
This site is helpful for parents seeking to understand the grammar school 11+ system. It is easy to navigate, and the articles are clear, up-to-date, and authoritative.
There is an active discussion forum where many common questions have been addressed, and a busy community of contributors is available to answer new queries.
While the site focuses primarily on the selective system for state grammar schools and does not offer much information for the independent sector, it remains a comprehensive resource for understanding and navigating the 11+ exams.
Parents In Touch offers an extensive selection of resources. The linked page provides numerous free papers and reviews of exam books.
It is highly recommended that you explore the rest of the site for 11+ maths worksheets, English resources, and advice on a wide range of topics.
11+ Online forums and communities
Photo taken from Elevenplusexams forum.
In addition to websites and YouTube channels, online forums and communities can provide valuable support and guidance for students preparing for 11+ exams. These platforms allow students to connect with those also studying, share tips and resources, ask questions, and seek advice. Here are some popular online forums and communities for exam support:
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Elevenplusexams forum: the UK’s first website dedicated to the 11+ exams. It is the most active 11+ exams forum available. As a result, the highly engaged community is there to help parents and students seeking support on their 11+ journey.
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11 Plus Guide Forum: this highly informative and detailed platform is dedicated to preparation for 11+ exams. It explores the intricacies of exam preparation and provides answers to basic questions often overlooked by other forums. This makes it a must visit resource for all things related to 11+ exams.
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Chuckra 11 Plus Forum: covering a wide range of helpful topics for children and general discussion, users can easily find useful information. In addition, the forum emphasises a productive and respectful environment.
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11+ Exam Resources and Community: this is a Facebook group where members can access free resources for 11+ exams and share collective knowledge. In addition, the group aims to make finding relevant information less stressful and enjoyable for everyone involved.
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11 Plus Exam Success: Children's Education - Share Tips, Resources, Network: this Facebook group has over 5,000 members. It was created to build a network of individuals with success tips and resources for 11+ exams. Therefore, in the spirit of mutual support, the group provides a platform for parents and educators to network, share valuable information, and grow together.
Additional Online Forums:
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Grammar & Independent 11+ Exam Guidance, Including 7+, 8+, 9+, 10+ & 13+
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Grammar School 11Plus (11+) Preparation, Strategies & Guidance
Prepare for 11+ exams with MyEdSpace
Of course, there’s only so much help online resources can provide. If you want structured, comprehensive support, consider enrolling your child in our preparation course. With expert tutors, tailored study plans, and interactive materials, our course is designed to help your child excel. While primarily focusing on the GL 11+ exam, our course content will be also applicable to some other exam boards.
To find out more about MyEdSpace’s approach to 11+ exams preparation and sign up click here.
Conclusion
Preparing for 11+ exams can be challenging, but with the right resources, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. By utilising free resources available online, such as practice papers, study guides, YouTube tutorials, online forums, and local libraries, you can provide your child with the tools they need to succeed.
Early and consistent preparation is vital, so start exploring these resources today and empower your child's learning journey for taking 11+ exams.