How Best to Prepare for the 11 Plus Maths Test
Mar 12
Let's Start with the Basics
The 11 Plus maths test will vary from school to school, so it's important to check your chosen school's website for details on what sort of admissions tests they use.
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 11 Plus maths test will vary from school to school, so it's important to check your chosen school's website for details on what sort of admissions tests they use.
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!
In theory, your child will have covered all the necessary maths topics in school by the end of Year 5, but in reality, some topics, such as algebra, angles in polygons, percentages, and volumes, might only have been touched on, so it really does help to do some preparation.
Topics to Cover
Topics to Cover
In a GL-based maths 11 Plus test, children could be tested on any of the following topics:
Algebra
Angles
Area
Capacity
Charts, tables & graphs
Coordinates
Decimals
Factors
Fractions
Maps & plans
Mazes
Measurements
Money
Negative numbers
Numbers as words
Percentages
Perimeters
Prime numbers
Scales & number lines
Sequences
Shapes
Square & cube numbers
Symmetry: reflection & rotation
Temperature
Time
Value of digits
Volumes
In the past, questions on probability, ratios, and averages were also included, but recent changes mean they don’t appear anymore (though plenty of 11 Plus tutors don't yet appear to have realised this). Instead, there’s more focus on being able to calculate the size of angles in regular polygons, and being able to calculate volumes of cubes, so those are definitely worth practicing!
Smart Exam Techniques
In the 11 Plus maths test, time is tight! With only about one minute per question, there’s no room to spend ages figuring out one tricky problem - so exam technique matters just as much as knowing the maths. Here are some handy strategies:
Cherry-pick the easy ones first – every question is worth the same number of marks, so why waste time on a tough one when you could bag a load of easy ones first?
Skip the tricky ones and come back later – if a question looks like it’ll take too long, don’t let it throw you. Move on and revisit it at the end if there’s time.
Keep an eye on the clock – a minute per question goes fast! Regular timed practice will help build the speed and confidence needed to tackle the real thing.
How Much Preparation Is Enough?
How Much Preparation Is Enough?
In theory, a child could prepare just by doing a few timed tests and hoping for the best. But in reality, with so many children being tutored, the bar has been raised. A child who doesn’t prepare at all might not do themselves justice, and that would be a real shame if they have the potential to pass!
That said, the last thing anyone needs is stress - especially our children! A calm, prepared approach is the best way forward. It's so much easier said than done, but as a parent, even if you’re feeling the pressure, try not to show it! Keep things light, make practice sessions manageable, and focus on building confidence rather than cramming at the last minute. With the right preparation, the 11 Plus test doesn’t have to be a nightmare - it can just be another challenge your child is ready to take on with gusto, and hopefully one they will sail through with flying colours!