✅ Are they comfortable with all the test topics?
• Maths
While many schools average out test scores across all subjects, your child could lose out if they do well in three areas but poorly in one. That’s why it’s so important to balance practice across all subjects.
Children tend to practise their favourite topics and avoid the ones they find tricky. Keep an eye on this, and gently encourage your child to spend time on their weaker subjects too. Short, regular practice can help build confidence without causing frustration.
👉 Need help spotting the weaker areas? Try one of our baseline tests to get a clearer picture of your child’s starting point.
✅ Do they have good exam technique?
The 11 Plus isn’t just about what your child knows - it’s about how efficiently they tackle a test.
Is your child starting to:
• quickly eliminate obviously incorrect answers?
These are great signs that they’re developing smart test strategies.
👉 You can help them build these skills with regular practice using the Club 11 Plus quizzes and mock tests.
✅ Do they work well under time pressure?
Many children don’t perform to the best of their abilities in 11 Plus tests, not because they can’t answer the questions, but because they run out of time.
Can your child:
• stick to a steady, realistic pace during a timed quiz?
👉 Practising with mock tests that time out automatically can really help here. Even one or two can make a big difference to confidence. And there’s no harm in repeating a mock test your child has already done – this can give them a realistic sense of how long they should really be spending on each question.
✅ Are they making steady progress?
Preparation doesn’t need to mean hours of study every day, but it should be consistent and purposeful. 10 to 15 minutes a day, 4 or 5 days a week, will undoubtedly lead to big gains over time.
Signs of progress might include:
• Better quiz scores.
👉 Club 11 Plus gives you instant feedback on your child’s quiz and mock test results, along with a log of all their scores to date, allowing you to keep track of their progress.
✅ Are they coping emotionally?
A child who is anxious or frustrated with their studies may need a change of pace or a bit more support. Preparing for the 11 Plus should build skills and confidence, not lead to burnout. If they’re consistently struggling, it’s a sign they may need:
• A different approach to learning.
If your child seems to be struggling, gently reassure them that your love isn’t tied to results - you simply want them to try their best, and that’s more than enough.
🚦 What If You’re Not Sure?
Every child is different. If you’re not sure whether your child is on track, try these steps:
🎯 Want Help Tracking Progress?
At Club 11 Plus, we offer:
• 📝 Baseline tests to see where your child stands.
Everything we do is designed by 11 Plus experts who love learning - and we want your child to love it too.
👉 Try our free lessons and quizzes today, or take advantage of our 7 day Free Trial, and help your child feel confident, ready, and prepared for the 11 Plus.
Most GL-style 11 Plus tests cover four areas:
• Maths
• English
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning
While many schools average out test scores across all subjects, your child could lose out if they do well in three areas but poorly in one. That’s why it’s so important to balance practice across all subjects.
Children tend to practise their favourite topics and avoid the ones they find tricky. Keep an eye on this, and gently encourage your child to spend time on their weaker subjects too. Short, regular practice can help build confidence without causing frustration.
👉 Need help spotting the weaker areas? Try one of our baseline tests to get a clearer picture of your child’s starting point.
✅ Do they have good exam technique?
The 11 Plus isn’t just about what your child knows - it’s about how efficiently they tackle a test.
Is your child starting to:
• quickly eliminate obviously incorrect answers?
• skip tricky questions and return if they have the time?
• double-check their answers?
These are great signs that they’re developing smart test strategies.
👉 You can help them build these skills with regular practice using the Club 11 Plus quizzes and mock tests.
✅ Do they work well under time pressure?
Many children don’t perform to the best of their abilities in 11 Plus tests, not because they can’t answer the questions, but because they run out of time.
Can your child:
• stick to a steady, realistic pace during a timed quiz?
• recognise when to move on from a tricky question?
• manage stress when the clock is ticking?
👉 Practising with mock tests that time out automatically can really help here. Even one or two can make a big difference to confidence. And there’s no harm in repeating a mock test your child has already done – this can give them a realistic sense of how long they should really be spending on each question.
✅ Are they making steady progress?
Preparation doesn’t need to mean hours of study every day, but it should be consistent and purposeful. 10 to 15 minutes a day, 4 or 5 days a week, will undoubtedly lead to big gains over time.
Signs of progress might include:
• Better quiz scores.
• Better mock test results.
• Better focus or stamina over longer sessions.
👉 Club 11 Plus gives you instant feedback on your child’s quiz and mock test results, along with a log of all their scores to date, allowing you to keep track of their progress.
✅ Are they coping emotionally?
A child who is anxious or frustrated with their studies may need a change of pace or a bit more support. Preparing for the 11 Plus should build skills and confidence, not lead to burnout. If they’re consistently struggling, it’s a sign they may need:
• A different approach to learning.
• Smaller, more manageable chunks of work.
• Encouragement, not pressure.
If your child seems to be struggling, gently reassure them that your love isn’t tied to results - you simply want them to try their best, and that’s more than enough.
🚦 What If You’re Not Sure?
Every child is different. If you’re not sure whether your child is on track, try these steps:
• Build a simple routine with regular lessons and quizzes.
• Use mock tests to build confidence under timed conditions.
• Keep things positive - mistakes are part of the process!
🎯 Want Help Tracking Progress?
At Club 11 Plus, we offer:
• 📝 Baseline tests to see where your child stands.
• 💡 Online lessons in every GL 11 Plus test topic.
• 🎯 Hundreds of quizzes to practise their new skills.
• 🧠 Mock tests to build real exam experience.
Everything we do is designed by 11 Plus experts who love learning - and we want your child to love it too.
👉 Try our free lessons and quizzes today, or take advantage of our 7 day Free Trial, and help your child feel confident, ready, and prepared for the 11 Plus.