Three years before the 11+, life feels comfortably distant. But each year has its own job to do, and a family that paces the work sensibly rarely needs the frantic, expensive sprint that some do in the final summer. This is a realistic, gentle plan for the three years leading up to the test — one that protects childhood while quietly building the reading, number and reasoning skills the exam actually rewards. Everything here can be followed at zero cost using Quest Arena's free worksheets and mock papers.
When should you actually start?
There is no single right answer, and it depends on two things: where your child sits in class, and how competitive your region is. As a rough guide, a child working comfortably at the expected level can begin gentle familiarisation in early-to-mid Year 4. A child already exceeding expectations can afford to wait until early Year 5. In fiercely oversubscribed areas — parts of Kent, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham and Trafford, for example — families tend to start earlier simply because so many others do. The aim is never to cram three years of tables into three months; it is to make small, regular deposits that compound.
A word on the current exam landscape before you plan a single session: GL Assessment is now the dominant provider across most grammar-school regions, following the withdrawal of CEM's separate 11+ tests around 2022-2023. GL papers are typically multiple-choice, answered on a separate answer sheet, tightly timed at roughly a minute a question, and sat with no calculator. Some areas run bespoke or consortium papers instead — CSSE in Essex, for instance, includes free-response maths. Confirm exactly what your target schools use before you build a plan around it; our 11+ process guide and GL papers page explain the formats.
The year-by-year timeline
Here is the whole three-year arc at a glance. Each stage builds on the last, and the weekly hours ramp gently rather than lurching upward.
| Stage | Main focus | Subjects | Rough hours/week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3 | Reading habit, mental maths, confidence | English, number facts | Little and often, informal |
| Year 4 | Structured topic practice; reasoning introduced | Maths, English, gentle VR | 2-3 hrs |
| Year 5 | Mixed-topic, exam-style questions across all four skills | Maths, English, VR, NVR | 3-4 hrs |
| Year 6 (autumn, pre-test) | Timed papers, weak-spot targeting, final polish | All four, timed | 4-6 hrs |
Year 4: Foundations
This is the year of habits, not papers. Build a genuine reading habit of about 20 minutes a day — fiction, non-fiction, comics, whatever keeps the pages turning — because a wide vocabulary is the single biggest predictor of both English and verbal reasoning success. Lock in number-fact fluency: times tables to 12x12 should become automatic. Introduce curiosity-led puzzles and, later in the year, a very gentle taste of verbal reasoning. No full mock papers yet. The goal is a child who enjoys thinking, not one who fears a stopwatch.
Year 5: Familiarisation
Now introduce the four 11+ skill areas — English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning — through short, low-pressure question sets. Aim for around 20 minutes a day of focused work, and practise vocabulary deliberately using word lists and reading. This is the ideal moment to run a relaxed baseline mock so you can see where your child sits before real preparation begins; use it as a diagnostic, not a verdict. Our revision hub and free worksheets let you cover every topic without buying a single workbook.
Year 6, first half: build pace
From September of Year 6, start timed mini-sessions so pace becomes second nature. One mock paper a fortnight is plenty at this stage. After each one, review it properly — identify the two or three weakest topics and target them with short 15-minute drills rather than re-sitting whole papers. This is where Quest Arena's free timed mocks and centre-specific mocks earn their place: unlimited retries mean a wrong answer becomes a lesson, not a catastrophe.
Year 6, final months: polish
In the run-up to the September test, move to one full mock a week with a complete review afterwards, plus dedicated time-management practice — the classic "don't get stuck, mark it and move on" technique that GL's tight timing demands. Crucially, reduce the volume in the final ten days. Confidence beats cramming. A rested, calm child who trusts their preparation performs far better than an exhausted one who has done twice the papers.
A sample practice week
Consistency matters more than intensity. A workable Year 5 or early Year 6 week might look like this, with genuine rest built in:
- Monday — Maths topic practice (15-20 min)
- Tuesday — Verbal reasoning set + five new vocabulary words
- Wednesday — English comprehension
- Thursday — Non-verbal reasoning
- Friday — Review the week's mistakes (no new content)
- Weekend — One short timed mini-mock; one full rest day
Print this out, stick it on the fridge, and let your child tick off each slot — ownership breeds motivation. Follow the "one paper or one skill per day" rule and you sidestep the burnout that catches families who try to do everything at once.
Do you need a tutor?
Not necessarily. A commonly cited figure suggests around 80% of children who pass had some form of coaching, but "coaching" ranges from a structured self-study plan at home to full one-to-one tutoring. Private tutoring typically costs £40-£80 an hour depending on region, and a full 30-50 session programme can run to roughly £1,350-£2,750 or more. A tutor's strengths are fast weak-spot identification and a tailored plan; the risk is "helicopter tutoring" that over-helps and quietly erodes a child's independence and resilience.
| Route | Cost | Personalisation | Best-fit child |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-to-1 tutor | High | Highest | Specific persistent weak spots |
| Small group | Medium | Medium | Thrives on peer energy (great for English) |
| Self-study (free platform + parent) | Lowest | You control it | Self-motivated, well-supported at home |
For most families, a structured free-practice backbone covers the bulk of preparation, with a tutor added only for a stubborn weakness — say, non-verbal reasoning that simply will not click. That is the honest position: use Quest Arena as your self-study spine and reserve paid help for where it genuinely moves the needle.
Mocks, exam day and staying calm
Aim for a handful of mocks across Year 6 — a baseline early on, progress mocks every two to three weeks, and a final one about two weeks before the real thing. Large-cohort mocks are especially valuable for desensitising a child to a busy hall, unfamiliar venue and ticking clock. Always review results diagnostically rather than cramming for the next mock.
The night before, do no intensive study: pack the bag, lay out clothes and equipment, and get an early, good night's sleep. On the morning, keep your own mood calm, serve a balanced breakfast without a sugar crash, and arrive early. Teach a few simple anxiety tools — slow belly breathing, and quiet mantras like "I am prepared" and "I can handle this." Above all, value effort over outcome, and talk openly and gently about what happens if the answer is no.
If a child doesn't pass: accept the offered school place first to secure it, then explore waiting lists and, if you have genuine grounds, an appeal — though you should know success rates are typically under 50% and there is usually a tight window of about 20 school days from offer day. Not passing the 11+ is not a verdict on your child; strong comprehensives, other grammars and independent schools all remain excellent paths. Our grammar school directory can help you weigh alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours a day should my child do?
Little and often wins. Fifteen to twenty focused minutes a day in Year 4-5, ramping toward 45-60 minutes in the final months of Year 6, beats long weekend marathons. Consistency protects both progress and well-being.
Is a tutor necessary to pass?
No. Many children pass on self-study alone using free worksheets, mocks and consistent parent support. A tutor helps most when there is a specific, persistent weakness that home practice isn't shifting.
What score does my child need to pass?
Most areas use a standardised age score (roughly 69-141, with 100 as average) that adjusts for a child's month of birth, so a summer-born child is not penalised. Many grammars look for around 111+, but exact cut-offs vary by region, year and oversubscription — always check your specific schools rather than trusting a generic number.