Free 11+ guide
Preparing for the 11+ without a tutor, from Year 4
Start by choosing the school and entry year, then use its official familiarisation and a small routine you can sustain. Our suggested Year 4 starting point is shared reading, confident arithmetic and explaining a method. There is no need to invent a pass percentage or begin with repeated full papers.
Source: KCC registration and access arrangements (accessed 2026-09-24) · GL free familiarisation materials (accessed 2026-09-24)
A suggested week you can adjust
| Activity | Parent’s job | Useful evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Read and discuss a short passage | Ask which words support the answer | Your child can explain rather than guess |
| Work through one number problem | Ask what the numbers represent | The method makes sense before speed matters |
| Return to a mistake | Change the numbers or context | Your child can use the corrected idea again |
| Write a small scene if relevant to the route | Ask for one clear revision | The next draft improves in a specific way |
This is a menu, not a quota. Skip or shorten sessions around illness, school demands or frustration. Avoid making the whole evening depend on a score.
Match the resource to the test
Source: GL free familiarisation materials (accessed 2026-09-24)
GL’s publisher guidance warns that timings and question counts vary locally. Official familiarisation is a starting point for instructions, not proof that a generic book exactly reproduces your school’s exam. Check the school’s own subjects and response formats.
Teach one decision
Worked example Compare prices by a common amount
Original teaching example. A 600g bag costs £2.10 and a 900g bag costs £2.88. Which costs less per 100g?
Why this works: £2.10 ÷ 6 = 35p per 100g. £2.88 ÷ 9 = 32p per 100g. The 900g bag has the lower unit price.
Why the tempting route fails: The smaller total price does not prove better value. First compare equal quantities.
If division is the obstacle, work out the number of 100g groups together. If the calculation is secure, ask your child to invent a different pair of prices where the smaller bag is better value.
When extra help might be useful
- The same misunderstanding remains after several calm explanations: ask the class teacher which foundation to work on.
- Your child understands ideas but the review causes arguments: try a shorter session or a different adult.
- Written work gets only a number: ask for feedback that shows a revision.
- A tutor or app trial should leave you with a clearer next task, not only another score.
Compare total cost without relying on a forum quote
Ask each provider for the price per session, length, expected number of sessions, holiday policy, cancellation terms and any extra materials. For a subscription, check the renewal period and total for the months you intend to use. A historical £45 to £60 discussion is not a current local quote.
Worked example A fictional budget calculation
Original teaching example. Suppose a fictional tutor charges £30 for each of eight sessions and materials cost £12. What is the total?
Why this works: 8 × £30 + £12 = £252. These invented figures demonstrate budgeting only; they are not a market price or a recommended spend.
Why the tempting route fails: Comparing a monthly subscription with one tutoring session leaves out the number of months and sessions. Put both options over the same period.
Sources and independence
Sources
KCC registration and access arrangements. Official guidance. Accessed 2026-09-24. Read the official sourcehttps://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/kent-test/register-for-the-kent-test
GL free familiarisation materials. Official guidance. Accessed 2026-09-24. Read the official sourcehttps://11plus.gl-assessment.co.uk/pages/free-materials
Accessed 2026-09-24. Independent preparation, not affiliated with or endorsed by the school or test provider. Activities and routines are our suggestions, not official questions, marking schemes or promises of admission. Check the entry year before using a policy.