Most 11+ revision plans fail for one reason: they were written for an imaginary family with infinite evenings. This one survives contact with school runs, clubs and tired Tuesdays. The best plan is not the most ambitious one on paper; it is the one your child will still be doing in eight months' time. Below is a realistic, week-by-week structure that ramps up sensibly, protects your child's wellbeing, and leans on Quest Arena's free worksheets and mocks so you never have to pay for the backbone of a good routine.
When to start, and how hard
Anchor the start date to your child's classroom level, not to the calendar alone. If they are working at the expected standard, structured practice from early-to-mid Year 4 is plenty; if they are already exceeding, early Year 5 is fine and avoids months of premature pressure. Add intensity where competition is fierce (super-selective and heavily oversubscribed areas) and ease off where it is not. Remember the current landscape: GL Assessment now dominates most grammar-school regions after CEM's separate 11+ tests were largely phased out around 2022-2023, so confirm exactly which board and format your target schools use before you build anything.
A simple year-by-year build-up
| Stage | Focus | Rough weekly hours |
|---|---|---|
| Year 3 | Reading habit, mental maths, confidence — no formal 11+ work | Reading daily + 1-2 |
| Year 4 | Structured topic practice; introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning | 2-3 |
| Year 5 | Mixed-topic, timed, exam-style work; first mocks from Easter | 3-5 |
| Year 6 autumn | Final polish, timing under pressure, weak-spot targeting before the September test | 5-6 |
The year-by-year plan zooms this out in more detail. Notice the ramp: two or three hours a week twelve months out, rising to five or six in the final stretch — not a wall of work from day one.
The weekly skeleton (Year 5)
The engine of the whole plan is "little and often". Consistency beats intensity every time, and one focused paper or skill per day is enough.
- 4 x 15-20 minutes on weekdays — one subject per day, rotating; one slot is always the current weakest topic.
- One weekend mock from Easter onwards (free library), marked same-day so the feedback is fresh.
- One completely free day — non-negotiable. Burnout costs more than any missed session.
A sample grid that fits real evenings: Monday maths worksheet, Tuesday verbal reasoning, Wednesday English comprehension, Thursday non-verbal reasoning, Friday a short review of the week's mistakes, weekend a timed mini-mock, and one full rest day. Build a physical, visible timetable your child can see and own — a printed grid on the fridge with the exam date at the top beats any app for a Year 5 who needs to feel in control.
What to revise, in order
Diagnose with one paper, then order topics by marks lost, not by dislike — children naturally avoid the very topics that would gain them the most. Use the revision hub for subject guides, graded worksheets to climb tiers one difficulty band at a time, and the dates page to time the final push. GL papers are tightly timed at roughly a minute a question and multiple-choice on a separate answer sheet, so build that pace in from Year 5 rather than discovering it in the exam hall.
Mocks: your free progress check
Aim for a baseline mock at the start of your serious phase, progress mocks every two to three weeks, and a final one about two weeks before the real test. Most families do somewhere between three and six across the year. The point is diagnostic, not decorative: after each mock, spend more time reviewing the wrong answers than you spent sitting it. Large-cohort mocks in an unfamiliar hall are also worth doing once or twice purely to desensitise your child to crowds and timing pressure. Because Quest Arena's timed mocks are free, you can run this whole schedule at zero cost — a route that comfortably substitutes for the 1,350-2,750 a full tutoring programme typically runs.
Do you need a tutor?
Not necessarily. A structured self-study plan built on free worksheets and mocks is enough for many children, and the parent-led route builds independence. A tutor genuinely helps when a weak spot resists your explanations, when your child works better for someone who isn't a parent, or when time is short. If you do hire one, check they know your specific board and region, ask for a sample plan, and watch for "helicopter tutoring" that does the thinking for the child. English often thrives in small groups; maths tends to suit one-to-one.
Protecting the child through it all
Value effort over outcome, out loud and often. Keep hobbies, sport and friendships in the diary, cap screens (for example none after 7pm), and openly discuss "what if you don't pass" so it stops being a monster. Watch for burnout signals — tears, avoidance, careless slips — and dial the load back when you see them. If siblings are also preparing, never compare scores or pace; keep separate materials and tailor motivation to each child. Younger children respond to short-term rewards and praise; older ones to autonomy and a long-term goal they actually want.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours a day should my child do?
In Year 5, one 15-20 minute session on most weekdays is ideal. Nearer the exam, 45-60 minutes a day is plenty. Daily consistency matters far more than long, occasional cram sessions.
Is a tutor necessary to pass?
No. Many children pass on well-structured self-study using free worksheets and mocks. A tutor is a targeted tool for stubborn weak spots or tight timelines, not a requirement.
What score does my child need?
Most areas use standardised age scores (roughly 69-141, 100 average) that adjust for a summer-born versus autumn-born child. Many grammars need around 111+, but exact pass marks vary by region and year, so check your specific consortium.