Free 11+ guide
What age should you start 11+ preparation?
Our advice is to build enjoyable reading and secure arithmetic first, then add test-specific familiarisation when you know the school and entry year. We do not claim one scientifically proven starting age. KCC suggests discussing your child's attainment with their primary school before registering.
Source: KCC: Kent Test registration (accessed 2026-09-23)
A suggested sequence, not an age deadline
| If your child... | Try... | Before adding more... |
|---|---|---|
| Needs support with everyday reading or number work | Shared reading and a small amount of school-aligned practice. | Ask the teacher which foundation to prioritise. |
| Is secure with the basics and curious about puzzles | An occasional unfamiliar problem, with time to explain. | Check that they can describe the reasoning. |
| Has a confirmed school route and approaching test | Official familiarisation and a manageable review routine. | Check instructions and current arrangements. |
If your child is in Year 3 or 4, our suggestion is to keep the focus on broad learning and enjoyment. In Year 5, consider the actual route and gaps before choosing a schedule. These are editorial suggestions, not entry rules or a requirement to buy tuition.
Ask three questions before adding timed work
- Can my child understand the instruction without me translating every sentence?
- Can they explain at least one method, even if the answer is wrong?
- Can we finish a short session without the rest of the evening being taken over by it?
If the answer is no, make the next task smaller. For example, read a paragraph together and discuss one unfamiliar word. It is reasonable to work on the foundation before the test technique.
Start with meaning in context
Worked example Choose a word from the clues
Original teaching example. The path was narrow, so the walkers moved in single file. What does 'narrow' mean here? A steep, B muddy, C long, D not wide, E empty.
- Use 'single file': the walkers went one behind another.
- Choose the width description that explains why.
Why this works: D, not wide. The sentence supplies a clue about space across the path.
Why the tempting route fails: A might describe a path, but nothing says it slopes upwards. This is a teaching conversation, not a readiness test.
Starting earlier is not our success claim
We do not promise that a particular starting age, tutor or number of hours produces an offer. Let the child's current learning, the school's advice and the confirmed admissions route guide your next decision.
Sources and scope
Sources
KCC: Kent Test registration. 2026 testing for September 2027 entry; registration and late enquiries. Accessed 2026-09-23. Read the official sourcehttps://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/kent-test/register-for-the-kent-test
Source access date: 2026-09-23; live pages rechecked 2026-09-24. Official pages can change. Our teaching examples and suggested routines are independently written, not official test items or predictions of admission.