11+ Exams & Preparation
Expert 11+ guidance, exam papers and school-specific preparation for competitive grammar and selective-school exams.
Established in 2004, Achieve Learning has over two decades of experience supporting families preparing for selective-school entry across North London and Hertfordshire.
Not All 11+ Exams Are the Same
Different selective schools test different subjects, use different question formats and place different demands on children. QE Boys, the South West Hertfordshire Consortium and Henrietta Barnett, for example, require distinctly different preparation strategies.
Children also start from different positions. One may require support to develop stronger vocabulary and comprehension, while another may need more work on speed, accuracy, reasoning or exam technique.
Effective 11+ preparation should therefore begin with two things: understanding the exact target exam and identifying the child's individual strengths and weaknesses.
At Achieve Learning, our approach - developed through more than two decades of selective-school preparation-is to build strong core skills first, diagnose weaknesses carefully, and then make preparation increasingly school-specific as the exam approaches.
School-Specific 11+ Expertise
Over more than two decades, Achieve Learning has supported thousands of children and families preparing for grammar, selective and partially selective school entry across North London, Hertfordshire and beyond.
Our strongest school-specific experience includes Queen Elizabeth’s School (QE Boys), the South West Hertfordshire Consortium and Henrietta Barnett School, where different exam formats, subjects and levels of competition require distinctly different preparation strategies.
We also have experience supporting families considering other selective and independent schools, including Dame Alice Owen’s, St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School, Latymer, Tiffin, Haberdashers’, Merchant Taylors’ and St Helen’s.
As we expand our school-specific guides, exam resources and preparation materials, we will continue adding deeper coverage of other selective schools where we have meaningful experience and useful expertise to share.
How the QE Boys, South West Herts and Henrietta Barnett School Exams Differ
| Exam | Main areas tested | Structure | Broad preparation implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| QE Boys | English and Maths | Single competitive entrance process | Strong school-specific English and Maths preparation, including speed and accuracy, broad vocabulary, and familiarity with a wide range of literature including traditional and contemporary classics |
| South West Herts Consortium | Maths and Verbal Reasoning | Shared consortium test | Strong Maths preparation combined with deep familiarity with the full range of Verbal Reasoning technique types, with speed and accuracy under pressure |
| Henrietta Barnett School | Multiple subjects across a multi-stage process | Two-stage selection | Broad and intensive preparation across the relevant subjects, with priorities changing between stages because of the breadth and demanding nature of the selection process |
What Does the 11+ Exam Test?
There is no single national 11+ exam. Depending on the school, consortium or test provider, children may be assessed in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, or a combination of these areas.
This is one area where, in our experience, families can easily misstep. Parents sometimes follow a generic 11+ programme covering all four subjects even when their target exam does not test them all. This can mean valuable preparation time is spent on subjects that will not appear in the actual entrance exam.
For example, a child preparing specifically for QE Boys does not need Verbal or Non-Verbal Reasoning for the entrance test, while South West Herts preparation focuses on Maths and Verbal Reasoning only, rather than any English and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Understanding the exact exam format before deciding what to study can therefore make preparation considerably more focused and efficient.
The same principle applies to multi-stage entrance processes. For Henrietta Barnett, parents need to understand the different demands of the first and second rounds. It can be a mistake either to overlook the later-round requirements or, conversely, to devote disproportionate preparation time to them before ensuring that a child is sufficiently prepared for the highly competitive first stage.
Preparation needs to reflect both the content of the exam and the point in the selection process at which that content is tested.
English
English preparation can include reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar, with writing also assessed by some schools. For the most competitive exams, children may need to interpret demanding texts, work accurately under time pressure and draw on a broad vocabulary and reading background.
Maths
11+ Maths usually builds on Key Stage 2 content but can require considerably greater speed, accuracy and problem-solving depth than children encounter in ordinary classroom work. Strong candidates need secure fundamentals alongside confidence with unfamiliar, multi-step and more demanding problems.
Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning can test vocabulary, codes, sequences, word relationships and other forms of verbal logic. Where it forms part of an entrance exam, children benefit from understanding the full range of relevant question and technique types rather than relying simply on general English ability.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning can assess pattern recognition, spatial awareness, sequences and relationships between shapes. It forms an important part of some selective-school entrance tests but is absent from others.
Not every 11+ exam tests all four subject areas. Therefore, preparation should always be matched to the current format and requirements of the schools and entrance exams being targeted.
How to Pass the 11+ Exam: Effective Preparation Strategies
There is no single formula that guarantees success in the 11+ exam. Different schools test different subjects and formats, children begin from different starting points, and competition for the most selective schools can be intense.
In our experience, successful preparation is less about completing the greatest possible number of questions and more about understanding the target exam, developing strong foundations, working consistently, identifying weaknesses accurately and gradually building the speed and exam technique required on the day.
1. Understand the Exact Target Exam
Before choosing resources or arranging tuition, establish exactly what the target school tests, the current format, timing, stages and question types. Preparation time should be concentrated on what the child will actually face.
2. Understand the Child as Well as the Exam
Children differ in ability profile, confidence, motivation, temperament and how they respond to pressure. Some thrive on structured targets; others can become overwhelmed by excessive testing or workload.
The most effective study approach should therefore reflect both the demands of the exam and the individual child.
3. Build Mastery Before Chasing Scores
Strong English, Maths and reasoning foundations should come before an excessive focus on test percentages. Persistent gaps in vocabulary, comprehension or mathematical understanding are unlikely to disappear simply by completing more papers.
4. Work Consistently
11+ preparation is usually more effective when skills are developed steadily over time rather than through irregular bursts of intensive work.
A manageable, consistent programme also makes it easier to identify whether a child is genuinely improving rather than simply becoming familiar with particular papers.
5. Use Practice Papers Diagnostically
A score alone tells you relatively little. Review why marks were lost — vocabulary, inference, SPaG, mathematical knowledge, reasoning, careless reading, timing or unfamiliar question types — and use that analysis to determine what should happen next.
6. Develop Speed Without Sacrificing Accuracy
Highly competitive entrance exams require children to apply what they know under considerable time pressure. Timed work should therefore be introduced progressively, with speed developed alongside accuracy rather than at its expense.
7. Develop Vocabulary and Reading Depth
For demanding English entrance exams, children benefit from a broad vocabulary and regular exposure to a wide range of literature, including traditional and contemporary classics.
Reading should build comprehension, inference, linguistic awareness and confidence with unfamiliar styles of writing — not simply increase the number of books completed.
8. Learn Reasoning Techniques Where They Are Actually Required
Where Verbal or Non-Verbal Reasoning forms part of the target examination, children should become familiar with the relevant question and technique types.
But these subjects should not automatically form part of every 11+ programme merely because they feature in other selective-school tests.
9. Make Preparation Increasingly School-Specific
General materials can be useful while building foundations. As the entrance exam approaches, however, preparation should increasingly reflect the difficulty, timing, subjects and style of the actual target examination.
10. Seek Expert Advice When It Adds Value
Not every child needs regular tuition, and expert support should not be used simply because an exam is competitive.
However, experienced advice can be valuable when parents are unsure whether preparation is appropriately targeted, scores have plateaued, weaknesses are difficult to diagnose, or the demands of several target schools need to be balanced.
11. Use School-Specific Mocks and Timed Practice Purposefully
Mock exams can be useful for exposing children to unfamiliar surroundings, strict timing and the pressure of completing a full examination. Where possible, school-specific mocks are more useful than generic tests because they more closely reflect the subjects, format and demands of the target exam.
However, external mocks are not automatically better than well-run practice at home. In our experience, many children can make excellent progress through regular timed papers at home, provided the conditions are realistic and every significant error is carefully reviewed afterwards with a parent, tutor or other knowledgeable adult.
As the real exam approaches, a consistent cycle of timed practice → detailed review → targeted correction → further practice can be extremely effective. For some children, this disciplined approach may be more valuable than repeatedly attending external mock exams without sufficient analysis of what went wrong.
12. Review Progress and Adjust
A preparation plan should not remain fixed if the evidence shows it is not working. If scores plateau or the same errors continue to appear, simply increasing workload is rarely the best response.
The strategy should be adjusted according to what the child's performance is actually showing.
An Experience-Led Approach
This approach has been developed through more than 30 years of experience in 11+ education and selective-school preparation, including teaching pupils, reviewing performance, advising families and developing preparation materials.
Over that time, I have seen capable children succeed — and sometimes underperform — for very different reasons. Effective 11+ preparation is therefore not simply about doing more work; it is about doing the right work, in the right way, for the right child and the right exam.
Featured 11+ Exam Papers
Looking for targeted practice? Explore our growing range of school-specific 11+ exam papers, developed to support demanding entrance exam preparation and effective review.
QE Boys 11+ English Practice Pack – Classic Texts (Set 1)
QE Boys 11+ English Practice Pack – Mixed Genres (Set 1)
How Achieve Learning Can Help With 11+ Preparation
With over two decades of experience, we have seen and appreciate that families may need different types of support at different stages of the 11+ journey. To support this need, Achieve Learning provides a combination of specialist resources, individual guidance and up-to-date 2027 preparation services.
11+ Exam Papers
We offer expertly authored school-specific and subject-focused practice papers for demanding 11+ entrance-exam preparation, with detailed answers to support effective review.
11+ Consultation & Guidance
Targeted expert advice to parents on target schools, current preparation, ability benchmarking, resources and next steps, drawing on extensive selective-school experience.
11+ Tuition & Revision Courses
Online expert-led revision courses, school-specific masterclasses and limited 1-to-1 support packages planned for 2027.
Register Interest for 2027:
11+ Mock Exams
A planned programme of in-person 11+ school-specific mock exams for 2027.
Register Interest for 2027:
We offer a range of flexible support options to suit different family needs and stages of preparation.
Tuition and Coaching
Regular in-person personal support to strengthen English, Maths and reasoning skills, improve confidence and build exam technique.
Parent Strategy Consultations (online)
Expert guidance on realistic targets, school choices, preparation priorities and the smartest next steps.
11+ Practice Papers
Downloadable resources designed to support effective home preparation and realistic exam practice.
School-Specific 11+ Expertise
For more than two decades, Achieve Learning has supported thousands of children and families preparing for grammar, selective, and partially selective school entry across North London, Hertfordshire, and beyond.
Our 11+ Support Options
We offer a range of flexible support options to suit different family needs and stages of preparation.
Tuition and Coaching
Regular in-person personal support to strengthen English, Maths and reasoning skills, improve confidence and build exam technique.
Parent Strategy Consultations (online)
Expert guidance on realistic targets, school choices, preparation priorities and the smartest next steps.
11+ Practice Papers
Downloadable resources designed to support effective home preparation and realistic exam practice.
Experience With Competitive Schools
We have supported families preparing for a wide range of grammar, selective and partially selective schools, including:
QE Boys, Henrietta Barnett, Dame Alice Owen's, Watford Grammar School for Boys, Watford Grammar School for Girls, Parmiter's, St Clement Danes, Rickmansworth School, Queens' School, St Michael's Catholic Grammar, Tiffin, Latymer, Haberdashers', Merchant Taylors' and St Helens.
Different schools and assessment formats have different requirements, and we help families make informed decisions based on their child's strengths, goals and target schools.
Tailored Preparation for Every Child
Every child starts from a different position.
Some need confidence and structure. Others need stretch, exam technique or smarter targeting.
Our aim is to provide personalised support that reflects your child’s strengths, gaps and goals.
Book an Introductory Call
If you would like to discuss your child’s current position and the most suitable next step, please contact us.
We would be happy to understand your goals and recommend the best support option for your family.
Helping Families Prepare With Confidence Since 2004
Trusted 11+ support available in person and online.
Our comprehensive all-round eleven plus exams tutoring in Harrow includes all the following:
Expert and Experienced Tutors
Our very experienced lead tutors have been personally leading the Harrow 11 plus exams course for over 18 years and have first-hand in-depth knowledge of what is actually required to achieve success in the actual exams.
GL Assessment, CEM, ISEB, London Consortium
All our 11 plus tuition courses are regularly updated to reflect any changes in the 11 plus entrance exams, and our content covers all the main exam boards used by Grammar and Independent schools.
Personalised Content
After an initial assessment and an eleven plus exams consultation, an individually tailored tutoring plan will be agreed and will be regularly reviewed to ensure that it is tailored to the needs of your child.
Ongoing 1-2-1 Support
We fully recognise that children work at different paces and some may need additional support to stay on track whilst others may need an extra stretch or challenge to stay motivated to keep on learning and developing.
Weekly Targeted Homework
Regular 11 plus exam homework will be set for your child which will be set, reviewed and marked every week by us to ensure that your child is on track.
Full Set Of Comprehensive Courses
We offer a range of eleven plus exam courses from year 3 onwards. Depending on your requirements, we offer courses in maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. We also offer 11 plus mock exams and specialist revision courses from year 5.
No Deposit Required or Tie In Period
We do not require a deposit and offer monthly payment options with no tie in period. A fixed monthly 11 plus tuition payment will cover the costs of all materials, books and marking with no additional unseen costs.
Onsite In Person Courses or an Online Advisory Consultancy Service
In addition to onsite lessons, we also offer a bespoke year 5 online revision programme leading up the period for the actual exams for parents who are unable to attend our Harrow tuition centre and require last minute revision help.
11 Plus Online Advisory Service
We also offer a tailored 11 plus exams advisory service for parents who are home schooling or preparing their child themselves at home. This service offers regular contact, meetings and assessments to ensure that parents are on track with their preparations and are fully aware of all the options in terms of applying to grammar and independent schools.