11 Plus Frequently Asked Questions
Everything parents in Ilford and East London need to know about the 11 Plus exam — answered clearly and honestly by our expert team.
Understanding the 11 Plus
The 11 Plus is a selective entrance examination sat by children in Year 6, typically in September or October, to gain admission to grammar schools and selective secondary schools. It is called the 11 Plus because children are usually 11 years old when they sit it.
The exam tests ability in Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning, though the exact subjects and format vary by school and region. Children who achieve a high enough score are eligible to apply for a place at the grammar school — though scoring above the pass threshold does not guarantee a place, as schools allocate places based on rank order, distance, or other criteria.
Ilford is within reach of several selective schools across Redbridge, Essex, Bexley, and Kent. Schools commonly targeted by our students include local grammar schools in Redbridge and Essex, as well as other selective routes depending on travel and admissions priorities.
Redbridge and Essex: Families often focus on Ilford County High School, Woodford County High School, Chelmsford County High School for Girls, King Edward VI Grammar School and other Essex selective routes where relevant.
Wider options: Some families also target Bexley or Kent grammar schools, or combine grammar applications with selective independent schools. Contact us to discuss which schools make the most sense for your child's profile and commute.
GL Assessment (Granada Learning) produces standardised 11 Plus papers that are widely used across the UK. GL papers typically test Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning as separate timed papers. The question formats are well-defined and consistent year to year, which means children can prepare systematically using past papers and practice materials.
CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, based at Durham University) produces papers used by grammar schools in certain regions including some Midlands areas and a number of others. CEM papers are designed to be harder to specifically prepare for — they aim to test ability rather than practice, and the format can vary year to year. They typically blend verbal, numerical, and spatial reasoning questions in a less predictable way.
For schools in the Hertfordshire consortium and many North London schools, GL Assessment is the more common format. We will advise you on which format applies to your target schools when you contact us.
Not sure which grammar schools to target?
Call us on 020 3441 7272 or email info@arktuition.co.uk and we will advise you on the grammar schools most accessible from Ilford and what each school's selection process involves.
When and How to Prepare
The right time to start depends on the schools you are targeting, your child's current level, and how naturally they take to the 11 Plus material. As a general guide:
Year 4 start: Ideal for children targeting highly competitive schools, or for children who need more time to build confidence. Starting in Year 4 gives two full academic years to cover the syllabus properly and develop genuine understanding rather than last-minute cramming.
Year 5 start: This is the most common entry point and works well for children who are at or above national curriculum level. The Year 5 programme provides a full year of structured preparation before the exam in September of Year 6.
Summer before Year 6: Our Summer Revision Programme is intensive and targeted — suitable for children who have some preparation already and need a concentrated final push before the exam.
Contact us for a free assessment — we will give you honest advice about where your child currently stands and when to start.
For children starting in Year 4, the preparation journey is approximately two academic years. For Year 5 starters, it is one academic year. In both cases the programme starts with systematic subject coverage and then transitions to exam technique, past papers, and mock exams as the September exam date approaches.
Children who join our Summer Revision Programme in July or August have a condensed 6–8 week intensive programme. This works well as a supplement to existing preparation — not as a replacement for a full year's work.
Every child is different. After a diagnostic assessment, we can give you a more precise picture of how much preparation your child specifically needs.
Yes. We offer standalone 11 Plus mock exams open to all Year 5 and Year 6 children — not just Ark Tuition students. Each mock exam is sat under proper exam hall conditions (timed, invigilated, silent) and is followed by full marking and a written feedback report identifying strengths, weak areas, and specific recommendations.
Mock exams are available in both GL Assessment and CEM formats. The price is £35 per session (excluding VAT). We recommend sitting at least two mock exams — one earlier in the preparation year and one in the summer before the exam.
See our Mock Exams page for full details and to book a session.
What the Exam Covers
Most 11 Plus examinations test four subjects:
Maths: Number, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data. The level is typically above KS2 national curriculum, requiring familiarity with topics not always covered in school by Year 5.
English: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and often a creative or extended writing component. Timed comprehension passages test inference and deduction skills as well as literal understanding.
Verbal Reasoning (VR): Word-based logical reasoning questions — synonyms, antonyms, word codes, number codes, analogies, odd one out, and cloze exercises. There are 21 standard VR question types that children need to learn systematically.
Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR): Pattern series, matrices, 3D rotation, and spatial reasoning presented visually. This subject is particularly important for CEM-format exams.
Not all schools test all four subjects — some use only two or three. We will confirm exactly what your target school tests when you contact us.
Group vs Individual — and What's Right for Your Child
Our group classes are capped at a maximum of 6 students. This is significantly smaller than most tuition centres, which typically run groups of 10–15 or more. The smaller class size means every child receives more teacher contact time, more targeted feedback, and a greater opportunity to ask questions and clarify understanding during the session.
In practice, this means our group classes deliver an experience much closer to individual tuition than a typical classroom setting. Our tutors know every child by name and track their progress individually within the group format.
Group tuition (max 6 students, £60/subject/month) works well for most children who are preparing from Year 4 or Year 5. The structured weekly sessions, peer learning environment, and regular progress testing suit children who are motivated and broadly on track.
Individual tuition (£35/hr per subject) is the right choice when a child needs a completely personalised approach — for example, if they are joining preparation late and need to catch up quickly, if they have a specific weak area that needs intensive targeted work, or if they are preparing for independent school entrance where the programme must be tailored to a specific school's papers and process.
Many families combine both: group sessions for the main 11 Plus preparation alongside individual sessions for specific subject gaps or exam technique work. Contact us to discuss what combination makes sense for your child.
How to Enrol Your Child
The first step is to book a free assessment. This is a no-obligation session where we evaluate your child's current level across the four 11 Plus subjects, understand your target schools, and discuss the preparation options available.
After the assessment, we will recommend the most appropriate programme — group or individual, which subjects, and when to start — and give you a clear picture of what preparation will involve. There is no pressure to enrol and no fee for the assessment.
To book, use the button below, call us on 020 3441 7272, or email info@arktuition.co.uk. We will confirm a convenient time within 24–48 hours.
Still have a question not answered here?
Call us on 020 3441 7272 (Monday to Saturday, 9am–6pm) or email info@arktuition.co.uk and one of our team will get back to you the same day. We are happy to answer any questions about the 11 Plus, our programmes, or what preparation your child needs.
Why Ilford Families Choose Ark
Small Groups — Max 6
Our groups are capped at 6 students — well below the industry average. More teacher time, more feedback, better results.
Experienced Teachers
All sessions are led by qualified, experienced tutors with proven 11 Plus track records — not unqualified assistants or gap-year tutors.
Proven Results
Hundreds of children placed at grammar and independent schools across North West London, Hertfordshire, and the home counties.
Targeted Preparation
Every programme is built around the specific schools your child is targeting — not generic preparation that ignores what your school actually tests.
Free Assessment
Every family starts with a free diagnostic assessment. No obligation, no pressure — just an honest picture of where your child stands and what they need.
Based in Ilford
Conveniently located in Ilford for families across Redbridge and East London. Online sessions also available.
Ready to Book a Free Assessment?
The first step is a free, no-obligation assessment. We will evaluate your child's current level and give you a clear, honest plan for getting them to grammar school.