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11+ Preparation for September 2028 Entry

A practical parent guide for 2028 grammar-school entry: when to prepare, check school-specific exam changes and make a balanced Year 5 plan.

2028 Entry

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11+ Exam Dates and Registration for 2028 Entry

How to track 2027 11+ registration, exam and application milestones for September 2028 secondary-school entry without guessing dates.

2028 Entry

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Kent Test 2028: Quest Assessments Replaces GL

Kent Test 2028 entry explained: official provider change to Quest Assessments, what stays the same and how families can prepare.

2028 Entry

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Trafford 11+ 2028 Entry: Understanding the FSCE Change

A parent guide to the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium switch to FSCE for 2028 entry, and why older GL-style papers may not match.

2028 Entry

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11+ Maths Topics Checklist

A comprehensive checklist of all mathematical concepts covered in 11+ exams including number properties, fractions, geometry, algebra, and data handling.

Maths

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11+ Preparation Timeline From Year 4

A term-by-term plan starting in Year 4: what to focus on at each stage, how much practice suits each age, and the key dates to watch for.

Planning

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11+ Preparation Timeline From Year 5

A structured month-by-month preparation plan for students starting 12 months before the exam, including milestones and focus areas for each stage.

Planning

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11+ School Guide

A detailed guide to various grammar schools, their exam formats, and what makes each one unique. Essential reading for your school selection process.

Guide

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A Parent's Guide to the 11+

Everything you need to know about the 11+ exam: what's tested, preparation timeline, exam boards (GL Assessment, CEM), and how to read grammar school rankings.

Guide

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Acceptance Rates & GCSE Results

An overview of acceptance rates for top grammar schools and their recent GCSE performance data to help you make informed choices.

Data & Insights

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Common Maths Mistakes

Learn about the most frequent errors students make in the 11+ Maths exam and how to avoid them. Includes worked examples and tips.

Maths

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Effective Revision Techniques

Evidence-based revision strategies including spaced repetition, active recall, mind mapping, and past paper practice to maximize retention and performance.

Study Skills

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English Comprehension Strategies

Master the skills needed to excel at reading comprehension questions. Learn techniques for identifying key information, understanding inference, and managing your time in this section.

English

✍️

Essay Writing for 11+

Guidelines for writing persuasive and creative essays that impress examiners. Structure, vocabulary enhancement, and common pitfalls to avoid.

English

🎓

Exam Day Preparation

A complete checklist for exam day success: what to bring, how to manage exam anxiety, dealing with difficult questions, and maintaining focus.

Exam Skills

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Find Schools Near You

Enter a postcode to explore up to 10 nearby schools and compare school type, admissions route, selectivity and 11+ preparation options.

School choice

📐

Geometry & Algebra Fundamentals

Essential geometric concepts and algebraic principles tested at 11+. Includes angles, shapes, area, perimeter, and basic algebraic expressions.

Maths

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Managing Test Anxiety

Strategies for students and parents to reduce exam anxiety, build confidence, and develop a positive mindset towards testing and assessment.

Well-being

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Mastering Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

In-depth guide to these fundamental 11+ maths topics including conversions, calculations, and problem-solving techniques commonly tested.

Maths

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Mock Exam Strategy & Analysis

How to effectively use mock exams to identify weak areas and improve performance. Analyzing results and focusing revision on problem areas.

Exam Skills

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Non-Verbal Reasoning Mastery

Complete guide to visual reasoning questions including pattern recognition, 3D shapes, matrix reasoning, and spatial ability. Strategies to recognize patterns quickly.

Non-Verbal

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Problem-Solving Techniques

Develop your problem-solving skills with strategies for tackling multi-step questions and unusual problem types commonly found in 11+ maths papers.

Maths

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Selective Schools Admission Process

Understanding the full admission cycle, key dates, application procedures, and how different local authorities and independent schools manage the 11+ process.

Guide

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Spatial Awareness & Rotations

Master mental rotation and spatial visualization questions. Practical techniques to visualize and manipulate shapes quickly without visual aids.

Non-Verbal

✏️

Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar

Common SPaG errors in 11+ exams and how to avoid them. Focus on punctuation marks, sentence structure, verb tenses, and common grammar mistakes.

English

😌

Stress Management & Motivation

Practical techniques to manage exam anxiety and stay motivated during 11+ preparation. Building confidence and dealing with setbacks positively.

Well-being

👨‍👩‍👧

Supporting Your Child's Preparation

Practical advice for parents on how to help without causing stress, setting realistic goals, and creating a structured study environment at home.

Parents

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The 11+ Vocabulary List

Around 50 essential words for 11+ English and Verbal Reasoning papers. Interactive flashcards with definitions, synonyms, antonyms and example sentences.

Vocabulary

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Time Management Strategies

Essential tips and techniques for managing time effectively during the 11+ exam to maximize your score across all sections.

Exam Skills

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Tutoring vs Self-Study

Analysis of the pros and cons of private tuition, group classes, and independent study. How to decide what's best for your child.

Parents

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Types of Comprehension Questions

Detailed breakdown of all comprehension question types: literal, inferential, vocabulary in context, and analytical questions with solving strategies.

English

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Understanding Exam Formats

Detailed breakdown of different 11+ exam formats used by GL Assessment, CEM, and ISEB. Question types, timing, marks allocation, and what to expect.

Guide

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11+ Pass Mark & Standardised Scores

Understand raw marks, standardised scores, age standardisation and why grammar-school pass marks vary.

Results

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11+ Exam Dates & Registration for 2027 Entry

Understand registration windows, test dates, results and the secondary-school application timeline.

Planning

⚖️

GL Assessment vs CEM 11+

Compare common 11+ assessment approaches and learn how to match practice to the target schools.

Exam formats

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How to Start 11+ Preparation in Year 4

A calm foundation plan for reading, vocabulary, Maths, reasoning and good study habits.

Preparation

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How to Prepare for the 11+ in Year 5

A practical Year 5 plan for school research, targeted practice, timing, revision and mock exams.

Preparation

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11+ Practice Papers: How to Use Them

Learn how to turn practice papers into useful diagnostics with timing, marking and mistake review.

Practice

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11+ Synonyms and Antonyms

Build verbal reasoning vocabulary with practical strategies for closest-in-meaning and opposite questions.

Vocabulary

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11+ Cloze Tests

Improve word-in-context questions using meaning, grammar, context clues and elimination.

English

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Verbal Reasoning Tips & Tricks

Understand the different types of verbal reasoning questions including analogies, cloze passages, and word classification. Strategies to solve each question type efficiently.

Verbal Reasoning

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SEN Access Arrangements for the 11+

How extra time, readers, scribes and other access arrangements work for the 11+, and how to request an assessment of need.

Support

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If You Don't Get a Place: Appeals & Next Steps

What happens if a place isn't offered: the appeals process, waiting lists, and other options worth considering.

Guide

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Grammar School Priority Criteria Explained

How schools rank applicants who've passed the test: catchment areas, sibling links, distance and faith criteria explained.

Guide

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Understanding the ISEB Common Pre-Test

The computer-based test used by many independent schools: format, timing, and how it differs from GL Assessment and CEM.

Exam formats

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11+ vs Common Entrance: What's the Difference?

State grammar school 11+ exams and independent school Common Entrance are not the same process. Here's how they differ.

Guide

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Mental Maths & Times Tables Fluency for the 11+

Quick, accurate mental arithmetic underpins every 11+ Maths paper. Practical ways to build times-tables and number fluency.

Maths

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A Reading List for 11+ Vocabulary & Comprehension

Wide reading is one of the best ways to build vocabulary and comprehension skills. A starter reading list for 11+ preparation.

Vocabulary

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Verbal Reasoning Codes & Sequences Explained

Letter codes and number sequences are some of the trickiest Verbal Reasoning question types. Strategies to work through them calmly.

Verbal Reasoning

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How the 11+ Differs From KS2 SATs

The 11+ and KS2 SATs test different things in different ways. What parents should know about how they compare.

Guide

☀️

Summer-Born Children and the 11+

What families of summer-born children should know about age standardisation, deferred entry, and realistic expectations.

Parents

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Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

How the Northern Ireland SEAG Entrance Assessment is organised: two papers, English or Gaeilge and Mathematics, and a 60-minute main test.

Exam formats