The 11+ is an examination that’s given to students who are trying to gain entry into a private school or a grammar school. The exam is usually given towards the end of Year 5 but it is sometimes also given at the start of Year 6. Its purpose is to identify the most talented and intelligent children.
If your child doesn’t pass the 11+ then they might not be able to get into the school that you want them to. Not getting into a good secondary school could stunt their performance and in turn prevent them from getting into a good university.
Here’s how to help them prepare.
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Practice Papers
One of the most effective ways of preparing your child for the 11+ is to get them to complete practice papers at home. If there is a specific school that you want your child to go to, then you could consider researching that school online. You can find practice tests and guides for specific schools, like this introduction to the QE Boys 11 Plus Exam, online. Make sure that you sit down with your child and work through practice papers with them. You may also want to employ a tutor.
Early Preparation
While it’s definitely a good idea to get your child to perform practice tests, it is also a good idea to start preparing them for the 11+ early. As soon as your child is able to read and write, you should be working with them to boost their intelligence and mental acuity. Rather than giving them children’s books to read, you should give them more mature books, like the Tolkien novels, or the works of C.S. Lewis.
Encourage Reading
As mentioned in the previous section, encouraging your child can be very good for their intelligence and mental acuity. Children who read more from a young age are significantly more likely to be intelligent than children who sit watching television all of the time. However, it is important to give your child more mature books to read from an early age, rather than children’s books. While children’s books can be fun, there’s only so much that they can contribute to your child’s intelligence. The works of writers like Dostoevsky, Joyce, and Faulkner can all be very helpful. You might want to sit with your child and read to them (or help them to understand the content of what they’re reading).
Study Syllabus
When you know what school you want your child to go to, you can study their syllabus. Most schools will publish information about their syllabus on their websites. In addition to studying it yourself, you should also encourage your child to read it and familiarise themselves with it. You can then begin working through specific topics and subjects taught in the syllabus with your child, so they are more likely to be able to pass the 11+ and then excel if they actually get into the school.
Motivate Child
Your child won’t be able to pass the 11+ if they aren’t motivated. No matter how much you learn, or how much you try to teach them if they don’t want it, then they won’t get in. One very effective way of motivating your child is to take them to the school that they are going to be applying for and show them around. Many headmasters will facilitate tours for the parents of children who are going to be applying; all you have to do is to pop over an email a few weeks before you want to visit. You can also encourage your child to develop a love of education by introducing them to educational games.
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Unnecessary Stress
When your child’s studying for the 11+, try to avoid giving them any unnecessary stress to worry about. A lot of parents put too much pressure on their children. Give your child a break from their usual chores when they are studying for the 11+ so that they can devote all of their attention to it. You should also treat your child when they study hard. However, don’t make the mistake of bribing your child into studying, because this can lead to behavioral problems in the future, and can make them think that they are entitled to monetary rewards and gifts when they perform well.
Be Realistic
You know your child better than anyone else, so be realistic. If you don’t think that your child is going to be able to pass the 11+ then don’t get their hopes up (as in don’t take them to the school that you want them to go to). If you get their hopes and then they fail, they will be distraught. While it is still very important that you get them to study and encourage them to do their best, building the school up in your child’s head when you suspect that they are going to fail can be very cruel. Make sure that you reward them for trying if they do fail.
Question Formats
Another highly effective way of preparing your child for the 11+ is to teach them about the different question formats that they are likely to encounter during the exam. In addition to question formats (like multiple choice questions), you will also need to teach your child about the categories of questions, which in the 11+ are English, Mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning questions are given to test intelligence rather than academic ability. They are similar to the questions you might find on an IQ test.
Consider Tuition
Finally, if your child is struggling and you don’t have the time to help them yourself, then consider hiring a tutor. A tutor can work with your child and help them to learn the strategies and techniques to master the 11+. When hiring a tutor, be sure to do extensive research online, and find one who’s qualified and experienced. Always read a tutor’s reviews before hiring them, too. Their reviews will give you an understanding of how they perform and how their tuition has benefited past clients.
The 11+ is an important exam. It could decide your child’s educational future. Because of this, you need to carefully prepare for it. Mock exams are one of the most effective ways of doing this. Be sure to also consider hiring a tutor.