Hints & Tips
from the 11 Plus Clubhouse

Year 5 Autumn Term: Building the Foundations for 11 Plus Success

The Year 5 autumn term is a great time to begin 11 Plus preparation. Our detailed guide helps parents understand the test, build strong foundations in maths and English, introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning, and track progress with steady routines.

Preparing for the 11 Plus: A Practical Guide for Year 5 Parents

At Club 11 Plus, our tutors often see a low hum of worry quietly build into full-blown stress as September of Year 6 draws near - but it really doesn’t have to be that way. In this blog, we’ll share practical, parent-friendly tips on how to keep Year 5 calm, structured and productive.

Think Like a Detective: How to Master 11 Plus Comprehensions

Discover why even strong readers can slip up in 11 Plus comprehension tests, and learn the proven step-by-step method to avoid common traps. From underlining keywords to finding evidence in the text, we share practical tips to help your child approach questions like a detective, boost accuracy, and build confidence. Includes advice on vocabulary, grammar, and reading habits, plus details of how Club 11 Plus lessons and quizzes can support their preparation.

Turning Mistakes into Marks: Your Secret Weapon for 11 Plus Success!

With the 11 Plus just around the corner, it’s tempting to focus on scores alone. But here’s the secret: the real learning happens after the quiz or mock test, when your child reviews their mistakes. Each wrong answer is a clue - a chance to find an extra mark waiting to be earned on the real test.

How to Use Mock Tests Wisely (With Just Weeks to Go Before the Test)

Discover how to use 11 Plus mock tests effectively in the final weeks before the exam. Learn how to improve exam technique, spot learning gaps, and support your child’s confidence, without overloading them.

Smart Strategies for Success: How to Tackle the 11 Plus Test Like a Pro

When it comes to the 11 Plus test, knowledge matters - but smart strategy can often be what sets high scorers apart. In this article, we share some of our favourite test techniques to help your child boost their marks by being savvy.

Two Months to Go: Smart Summer Strategies for 11 Plus Success

The 11 Plus test is just around the corner - but with six weeks of summer ahead, there’s still plenty of time to make real progress. In this post, we’ll guide you through how to use the next two months effectively - building confidence, staying calm, and focusing your child’s energy where it counts.

How to Create the Perfect Summer Plan for 11 Plus Test Success

If your child is planning to sit the 11 Plus test in September, the summer holidays are your golden window. In this article, we'll help you create the perfect summer plan for 11 Plus test success!

Which Topics are Included in the 11 Plus Maths Test?

When it comes to preparing for the 11 Plus maths paper, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. How can you know in advance which topics will be included in the test and which won't, or which questions come up the most regularly and which ones rarely get a look in? At Club 11 Plus, we wanted to take the guesswork out of revision, so we analysed every single question in the current GL Assessment practice papers to find out exactly which maths topics come up the most, and which hardly appear at all.

The 11 Plus and Summer Holidays: Striking the Right Balance

Ah, summer holidays - sunshine, ice creams, play dates, fun days out..... and for many families, a growing sense of panic about the 11 Plus! At Club 11 Plus, we’re here to show you how to strike the right balance between relaxation and revision - and even have some fun along the way!

How to boost your child's vocabulary - without resorting to word lists!

Being in command of a wide vocabulary is vitally important for the 11 Plus test, not just for the English paper, but for verbal reasoning as well. In this article, the team at Club 11 Plus share some creative, fun, and practical ways to help your child grow their vocabulary effortlessly.

Three Girls, Three Paths: A Story About Friendship, Growth, and the 11 Plus

At Club 11 Plus, we're more than just a team of tutors and learning geeks – we're parents too. The story we're about to share is close to our hearts because it's about our own children. This is the story of three girls – daughters of three members of our team here at Club 11 Plus. For privacy, their names have been changed, but the girls were happy for us to share their stories.

How to Tell If Your Child Is on Track for the 11 Plus Test

The 11 Plus can feel like a big mountain to climb - for children and parents alike. But how do you know if your child is really on track? The team at Club 11 Plus has put together some tried and tested tips on how to tell if your child is progressing well - and what to do if they need a little nudge in the right direction.

How Baseline Testing Can Help You Plan Ahead

The Club 11 Plus baseline tests are short, realistic 11 Plus tests, that give you a snapshot of where your child is right now, helping you to plan ahead for your child's 11 Plus journey. At Club 11 Plus, we offer 10-minute baseline tests in maths, English, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.

Our Top 8 Motivational Phrases for 11 Plus Kids

At Club 11 Plus, we've learned that a little motivation goes a long way. So here are eight quirky, fun, and surprisingly effective motivational phrases we've seen work wonders with 11 Plus students who just need a boost.

Our 5 Month Zero to Hero 11 Plus Test Prep Plan!

Only five months to go until the 11 Plus test, and just getting started? Don’t panic! With a clear plan, realistic goals, and a bit of structure, there’s still plenty of time to make real progress. In this article, our boffins break it down month by month.

Nurturing Independent Study Skills

In this article, the Club 11 Plus boffins give some hints and tips on how best to encourage your child to study independently.

What is the 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning Test?

In this article, the Club 11 Plus boffins give an overview of all the different types of question your child could come across in a GL 11 Plus non-verbal reasoning test.

Getting your head around the grammar school test in BCP

In this article, the boffins at Club 11 Plus help you understand the process of applying for a place at one of the four grammar schools in Bournemouth and Poole, including what's involved in the 11 Plus test and how best to prepare for it.

Understanding the 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning Test

In this article, the Club 11 Plus boffins discuss the 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning test, analysing the wide range of different question types, the skills required to tackle them, and how best to prepare.

Common 11 Plus Test Mistakes - And How Best To Avoid Them!

This article discusses some of the mistakes most commonly made by children sitting their 11 Plus tests, and gives some tips on how best to avoid them.

When Is The Best Age to Start 11 Plus Tuition?

We all want our children to do themselves justice in their 11 Plus test, but when is the best age to start tuition? In this blog post, the Club 11 Plus boffins share their thoughts on the ideal time for children to start their 11 Plus tuition journey.

11 Plus Preparation: Picking the Best Approach

Knowing how best to help our children prepare for the 11 Plus test can be daunting! This article discusses the various approaches parents can take towards helping their child prepare for grammar school entry test.

Dealing with Expectations

Preparing for the 11 Plus test and hoping for a place at a grammar school can be stressful for both children and parents. As parents, we naturally want the best opportunities for our children, but it's important to manage expectations and ensure that children feel supported rather than pressured.

How to Help Your Child Prepare for the 11 Plus English Test

How to help your child prepare for the 11 Plus English test - without losing your sanity - or theirs!

How Best to Prepare for the 11 Plus Maths Test

If, like the majority of schools, your child will be sitting a GL-based maths test, they can expect to be faced with around 50 questions, all of which will be word problems, and all of which will have to be completed in about 50 minutes. If that sounds intense to you, just think how overwhelming it could be for a 10 year old, so it definitely helps to be prepared!

The History of the 11 Plus Test – Why It Exists and How Club 11 Plus Can Help

Have you ever wondering why the 11 Plus test even exists? In this article, the Club 11 Plus boffins dig into the archives to find out the history of the 11 Plus test.

Welcome to Club 11 Plus

Hello, and welcome to Club 11 Plus - your new best friend on the road to grammar school! We're the boffins behind the scenes, and we couldn't be more excited to help your child prepare for the big 11 Plus test.

Bringing Fairness Back: How Club 11 Plus Aims to Level the Grammar School Playing Field

At Club 11 Plus, we’re not just passionate about maths, English, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning - we’re also passionate about why we do what we do!

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