Our program

What is the 11 Plus?

The 11 Plus (also known as the 11+ or Eleven Plus)

is an examination taken by some pupils in their last year of primary school in order to get into a Grammar School of their choice.

In Buckinghamshire, the Grammar Schools have the same exam. The Buckinghamshire 11 Plus test for 2018 (entry 2019) has changed from CEM tests to GL tests. The GL 11 Plus exams have two papers which cover the following topics:

Paper 1

This paper will focus on verbal skills. In this test, you will expect to see questions on Verbal Reasoning, Comprehension, Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPAG). This paper will be 45 minutes in length.

Paper 2

This paper will focus on numerical and non-verbal skills. Questions will be based on Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning. This paper will be 45 minutes in length.

About the Test Paper

Each test paper lasts for approximately 45 minutes and all questions are multiple-choice. The 11+ Secondary Transfer Test is weighted as follows:

  • Verbal Ability – 50%
  • Non-Verbal Ability – 25%
  • Numerical Ability– 25%

All questions are answered on a separate answer sheet, with each correct answer gaining one raw mark. The tests are age standardised to ensure that no students have an advantage based on their age.

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Verbal Skills

  • Knowledge of vocabulary that goes beyond the primary curriculum
  • Synonyms, Antonyms and Analogies
  • Sequencing, relationship between words, letters and numbers
  • Comprehension
  • Spelling
  • Punctuation
  • Grammar
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Mathematics

  • Mental arithmetic
  • Written methods (addition/subtraction/multiplication/division)
  • Problem solving
  • Fractions, decimals and percentages
  • Ratio and proportion
  • Basic algebra
  • Interpreting graphs and tables
  • Averages
  • Area and perimeter
  • Geometry of 2D/3D shapes
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Non-verbal skills

  • Logical deduction skills
  • Patterns: rotation, symmetry and reflection
  • Spatial awareness
  • Sequences between shapes
  • Relationships, similarities and differences between figures
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How The Course is Structured

Year 5

This year is designed to familiarise your child further with the essential elements of the 11+ and to build on the basic knowledge and skills in such a way so as to allow your child to successfully implement what they have learned directly to the 11+ question format.

Terms 1 and 2 will be devoted to going over individual question types, building up a vocabulary bank and increasing mathematical skills.

In Term 3, children will be given the opportunity to take practice test papers under test conditions in order to familiarise themselves with the format of the real papers. At this stage, timing becomes a major focus

Assessments

There will be a mini assessment on the key 4 areas (Comprehension, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics). This will be done once a term and these results will be sent out to you so that you can monitor your child’s progress. These marks will highlight any gaps in learning and show whether your child is on target for a successful 11+ result. If your child is struggling, you may stop tuition at any half-termly point, given reasonable notice. You will find, however, that this tuition is beneficial in promoting all round progress in English and Mathematics at school.

Homework

Homework is given at the end of each session and will take about 1-1½ hours a week to complete. Schoolwork comes first, of course, but a certain level of commitment is required here.

This will also act as a preparation for working in a grammar school setting, where homework plays a key role.