Introduction

You have probably already heard a lot about the 11+ tests that you can take for entry to selective schools. With more and more parents deciding that a grammar school education will provide the best opportunities for their child in an environment in which the pursuit of scholarship is paramount, competition is steadily rising for these coveted selective places.

Each area may have a different selection process to another as there is no real national standard exam, however, the 11+ exam typically covers up to 4 areas:

• Verbal Reasoning (problem-solving questions with words and numbers)
• Non Verbal Reasoning (reasoning with shapes and patterns)
• English
• Mathematics.

Where to Start

Don’t panic! Although the whole process can seem like a test for the parents, not the children, it can be straightforward. Firstly, do your homework!

Your local educational authority will be able to give you a list of selective schools in your area. Request prospectuses, make visits (schools hold impressive open days but personal visits can sometimes give you a better insight to the true day to day running), talk to both teachers, pupils and other parents and you should get a ‘gut’ feeling for a school that might suit the individual needs of your child. Areas to focus on are: support and guidance for pupils' welfare, quality of teaching, attitudes and behaviour, leadership, staffing and resources, attainment and progress, links with the wider community, activities beyond the school day, etc. Information can be found about league table positions on BBC websites and standards from OFSTED reports. Background information on 11+ testing can be found here.

Taking the Selective Route

Once you have decided to take the selective route, you may wish to find a local tutor (see our growing list of recommended tutors – if you find a good one, let us know). Do not assume that the national curriculum will automatically cover all learning required for the 11+ exam, it probably won’t. Above all start early! Experience tells us that pupils should start to study as soon possible prior to sitting the exam – the earlier the better – but its never too late for some last minute practice. Obtaining old exam papers can be a minefield, with schools constantly changing their formats, and every day spent looking for resources is another day lost.

The 11PlusSwot.co.uk Advantage

This website will give your child an advantage and confidence when sitting the 11+ exam. Your child can actually take the tests interactively online – a great fun incentive for the type of child who enjoys computers or needs that extra motivation to study. This interactive practice is tracked so that the child can see the progress made and of course doesn’t require hours of marking by the parents!

Also available are full papers in all the required subjects to download which cover every possible type of question, so that your child can complete them under simulated exam conditions, all the time gaining confidence through practice. Rest assured that the questions have been devised by teachers with years of experience in tutoring pupils in preparation for the 11+ exam – you can’t give your child a better head start!

11+ Club Membership

To get the best from the website you will need to join our 11+ club. Membership is available at 3 levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold with a duration ranging from 3 to 12 months. Each level of membership allows you to download the papers for viewing and printing with the option of taking the test online. All papers taken online are in multiple choice format. The questions are the same irrespective of format. Papers can be downloaded in the following formats:

• Maths - Multiple Choice & Standard
• English - Multiple Choice
• Verbal Reasoning - Multiple Choice & Standard
• Non Verbal Reasoning - Multiple Choice

Bronze

Two papers available in Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non Verbal Reasoning - a total of 8 test papers.

Silver

Four papers available in Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non Verbal Reasoning - a total of 16 test papers.

Gold

Five papers available in Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non Verbal Reasoning - a total of 20 test papers.

(All papers have the same level of difficulty, it is only the number of papers that vary between the different membership levels)

Parents notes, comprehensive hints and tips.

For a step by step approach to getting started click here. Why not sign up today! Full membership pricing can be found here.

Online Testing

All test papers taken online are multiple choice and are timed and marked by the computer. At the end of the test the questions can be reviewed and amended. When completed the paper is marked and graded. Test results are stored and a report generated to show progress over time. Tests can be taken as many times as you wish.

Downloads

All papers can be downloaded where they can be viewed or printed from your web browser (if you do not have access to a printer we provide a print, pack and post service at an additional charge). Each paper is printed on a high quality laser printer and comes complete with answers and answer sheet and protected by a colourful plastic wallet. If you would like to download a sample test paper click here.

Good Luck!!