How to Prepare for the 11+ Exam in September: A Parent’s Guide to Success

The 11+ exam season is nearly here, and for many families, September feels both exciting and a little daunting. Whether your child has been preparing for months or you’re just starting now, there’s still plenty of time to create a focused, supportive plan to help them shine.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about preparing for the GL Assessment 11+ exam—including:

✅ A revision checklist (Maths & English topics)

✅ Practical revision and exam tips

✅ Well-being advice to keep your child calm and confident

📘 What is the GL 11+ Exam?

The GL Assessment 11+ exam is one of the most widely used entrance tests for grammar schools across the UK. It’s designed to assess your child’s abilities in key academic areas:

• English – comprehension, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

• Maths – problem-solving and reasoning

• Verbal Reasoning – working with words and logic

• Non-Verbal Reasoning – interpreting shapes and patterns

This blog focuses on the English and Maths content—the core subjects your child will need to master for GL-style exams.

✅ 11+ Revision Checklist: Key English and Maths Topics

✏️ English Topics to Revise

Reading Comprehension:

• Understanding texts: literal and inferential questions

• Summarising key ideas

• Identifying author’s tone, purpose, and viewpoint

• Working out meanings of unfamiliar words in context

Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation:

• Common homophones and confusing spellings

• Apostrophes (contraction & possession)

• Punctuation: commas, colons, semi-colons, speech marks

• Identifying parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs)

• Subject-verb agreement

Vocabulary Building:

• Synonyms and antonyms

• Word families and root words

Proofreading Skills:

• Spotting and correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors

➗ Maths Topics to Revise

Number & Arithmetic:

• Place value and ordering numbers

• Negative numbers and number lines

• Long multiplication and long division

• Worded problems involving the four operations

Fractions, Decimals & Percentages:

• Equivalent fractions

• Converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages

• Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions

Measurement & Geometry:

• Units of measurement (length, mass, capacity, time)

• Converting between units

• Properties of 2D and 3D shapes

• Angles (acute, obtuse, reflex, right angles)

• Perimeter, area, and volume

Data Handling:

• Reading and interpreting bar charts, line graphs, and tables

• Mean, median, mode, and range

📖 Revision Tips: Make the Most of Summer

🕒 1. Create a Revision Plan

Break topics into small, manageable sections. Alternate between English and Maths for variety. Use a wall planner or calendar so your child can see their progress.

🎯 2. Focus on Weak Areas

Spend more time revising topics your child struggles with rather than repeating their strong areas.

⏳ 3. Practice Under Exam Conditions

Use timed practice papers to build stamina and familiarity with the test format. Review mistakes together and encourage your child to learn from them.

🧠 4. Keep Sessions Short and Effective

Aim for 30–40 minute revision blocks with short breaks in between to avoid overload.

🎲 5. Use a Variety of Resources

Mix worksheets, online quizzes, flashcards, and real-life problem-solving (like calculating shopping totals) to keep things engaging.

📝 Exam Day Tips: Set Your Child Up for Success

The Night Before

• Pack all necessary items: pencils, erasers, ruler, watch (if allowed)

• Encourage a good night’s sleep—no late-night cramming!

On the Morning

• Give a healthy breakfast (e.g., porridge, wholegrain toast, fruit) for steady energy.

• Arrive early to avoid any last-minute stress.

During the Exam

• Read instructions carefully and double-check answers if there’s time.

• Encourage them to move on from tough questions and return later.

🌱 Well-Being Tips: Keeping Calm and Confident

The 11+ is important, but so is your child’s mental and emotional health.

❤️ Encourage Balance

Include breaks, outdoor play, and fun activities in their routine. Avoid making every conversation about the exam.

🌿 Teach Relaxation Techniques

Simple breathing exercises or visualising a “calm happy place” can ease pre-exam nerves.

👏 Praise Effort, Not Just Results

Focus on your child’s hard work and progress. This builds resilience and confidence, whatever the outcome.

🎉 Final Thoughts

Preparing for the 11+ is about much more than academics—it’s about helping your child develop confidence, focus, and resilience. With a structured plan, regular practice, and plenty of encouragement, they can walk into the exam room in September feeling ready to do their best.

📣 Need a Helping Hand?

At Mr Porter Tutoring, we specialise in helping children prepare for the 11+ with personalised, confidence-boosting lessons. Whether it’s tackling tricky maths or mastering comprehension, we’re here to support your child every step of the way.

👉 Limited spaces available for summer revision sessions—contact us today to book!