11+ tutoring

The 11+ is the main entry point into Year 7 at many independent schools and at grammar schools. The two routes work differently, and many families apply to both, so it helps to understand each one early.

Independent schools

Most London independent schools assess in Year 6, using a mix of shared online tests, their own papers and interviews.

• ISEB Common Pre-Tests: four online tests in maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Children sit them once and the results go to each school that asks for them.

   

• The London 11+ Consortium: a group of girls' schools, including Godolphin and Latymer, St Augustine's Priory, Notting Hill & Ealing High School, Francis Holland Regent's Park and South Hampstead High School, share one online test in Year 6. Each school then holds its own interviews.

   

• School-set exams: many schools set their own English and maths papers, often including a piece of writing.

   

• Interviews and group activities: a chance for schools to see how children think and talk about what they enjoy.

Grammar schools

Grammar schools are state schools that select by ability. Registration usually opens in the spring or summer of Year 5. Tests are sat in September or October of Year 6, and results arrive before the 31 October deadline for state secondary school applications. National offer day is 1 March.

Tests vary from school to school:

• Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet and The Henrietta Barnett School: entrance tests in English and maths, with reasoning too at Henrietta Barnett.

   

• The Sutton grammar schools: Sutton Grammar, Wallington County, Wilson's, Nonsuch and Wallington High School for Girls use the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test, followed by a second stage.

   

• Tiffin School and The Tiffin Girls' School in Kingston: two-stage tests.

   

• The Latymer School in Edmonton and St Olave's in Orpington: their own assessments.

   

• Bexley, Kent and Buckinghamshire: shared tests across each area's grammar schools.

Several of these tests have changed provider or format in recent years, so we check each school's current arrangements before we plan.

How we help

• English: comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, grammar and creative writing.

   

• Maths: secure arithmetic and the problem-solving questions selective tests favour.

   

• Reasoning: verbal and non-verbal reasoning practice, little and often.

   

• Test technique: timing, multiple-choice strategy and practice with online tests.

   

• Interviews: relaxed practice so children can talk naturally about books, hobbies and ideas.

Starting at the right time

Many families begin preparing in Year 5. Starting early lets children build skills steadily rather than cramming, and keep enjoying learning along the way.