11+ tutoring that starts early, and stays calm
The 11+ is won on speed and stamina, not last-minute panic. Our 11+ coaches build reasoning speed with weekly timed mocks from Year 4, so exam week feels like just another Saturday.
One-to-one from Β£16 a class Β· billed in USD
π¬π§ United Kingdom Β· Year 4β6
What every programme includes
- β Verbal and non-verbal reasoning techniques
- β GL-style and school-specific practice papers
- β Weekly timed mocks with score tracking
- β Maths and English comprehension at 11+ level
- β Interview confidence for independent schools
- β Honest feedback: we will tell you if entry looks unrealistic
Lesson times in your time zone
Weekdays 3pm-9pm after school Β· Weekends 8am-8pm, your local time. Pick the slot when you book.
How the 11+ works in 2026
There are 163 grammar schools in England, and each area sets its own entrance test. Most areas now use papers written by GL Assessment, covering some mix of English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. A few consortia write their own: the CSSE test used by Essex grammar schools, for example, is English and maths only. CEM stopped supplying paper 11+ tests in 2023, so areas that once used CEM have moved to GL or to their own papers.
The test is usually taken in September of Year 6, after registration in the spring or early summer of Year 5. Results arrive in October, before the 31 October deadline for the secondary school application, and places are offered on National Offer Day, 1 March.
What the papers test
Most 11+ tests combine some of these four areas. Your target schools' admissions pages say exactly which:
- β Verbal reasoning: codes, word relationships and a wide vocabulary
- β Non-verbal reasoning: shapes, sequences, matrices and spatial puzzles
- β Maths: Key Stage 2 content plus multi-step problems, often beyond the Year 5 curriculum
- β English: comprehension, vocabulary and, in some areas, a written composition
Independent schools and the ISEB Common Pre-Test
Independent schools set their own entrance exams, interviews and reports. Many senior schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Test, an online test of English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning usually taken in Year 6 or Year 7. Families applying from overseas may meet UKiset instead. Tell us the schools on your list and we plan around their exact tests.
The 11+ year at a glance
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Year 4 | Light, regular practice: wide reading, times tables and arithmetic speed |
| Spring of Year 5 | Registration for the 11+ opens in most areas (dates vary by area) |
| Summer of Year 5 | Registration closes; full timed practice papers begin |
| September of Year 6 | The 11+ test is sat in most grammar areas |
| October of Year 6 | Results arrive; the secondary school application is due by 31 October |
| 1 March | National Offer Day: secondary school places are offered |
Every area sets its own registration window and test date. Check the admissions pages for the schools on your list.
How preparation builds from Year 4
- 1
Year 4
Habits that make the 11+ easier: daily reading for vocabulary, quick arithmetic and an introduction to reasoning puzzles.
- 2
Year 5, autumn and spring
Technique for each question type in your area's test, taught and practised in short timed sections.
- 3
Year 5, summer
Full mock papers every one to two weeks, with errors reviewed by question type.
- 4
Year 6, before the test
Pacing, exam stamina and calm routines, so test day feels familiar.
Tutors for this programme
IYAMAH SUNDAY EMMANUEL
Bachelors of Science in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University
15 yrs experience
GCSE Β· A-Level Β· 11+
View profile β
Muhammad Mahmood Aslam Bhutta
PhD-qualified Mechanical Engineer, Graz University of technology, Graz , Austria
25 yrs experience
US school
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Abdi Musa
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, University of Washington Bothell
4 yrs experience
GCSE / A-Level (UK)
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What tutoring costs in the UK
Typical UK private tutor
Β£30-50 an hour
Source: TutorCruncher: average tutoring rates in the UK, 2026EagleTeach, one-to-one online
From Β£16 a class
Billed in USD, converted at an approximate rate. Two free demo classes first.
Plan your 11+ prep package
Pick an intensity and the weeks you have. Hours are our suggested defaults for 11+; your tutor confirms the plan after the free diagnostic.
Package calculator
Suggested hours for 11+, priced at our exam-year rate. Change intensity or timeline; totals update live.
Intensity
The usual full prep: strategy, weak skills, and timed mocks.
Spread over how many weeks?
11+ Β· Standard package
full prep estimate Β· 24 classes Β· $15 each
- Suggested hours24
- Pace~3Γ / week over 8 weeks
- Effective rate$15 / class
Two free demos Β· rematch or refund in week one Β· cancel anytime
Common questions
When should 11+ preparation start?οΌ
Ideally Year 4, light weekly practice, building to full mocks in Year 5. But we also run accelerated 6-month programmes for late starters.
Which schools do you prepare for?οΌ
Grammar schools (GL/CEM) and independent school entrance exams. Tell us your target schools in the booking form and we'll match a tutor who knows their format.
Is the 11+ still CEM or GL?οΌ
CEM stopped supplying paper 11+ tests in 2023, and most grammar areas now use GL Assessment papers or tests written by the schools themselves. Your target schools' admissions pages name the current test.
When do 11+ results come out?οΌ
In most areas, in October of Year 6, before the 31 October deadline for the secondary school application. Places are then offered on 1 March.
How many hours a week of 11+ practice is sensible?οΌ
In Year 4, a little and often. Through Year 5 most children manage one tutored session plus two or three short practice sessions a week, building to weekly mocks in the summer before the test.
Does online 11+ tutoring actually work as well as in-person?οΌ
For this exam, yes, and often better. The 11+ tests technique against the clock, which is exactly what a screen-share, a timer and a tutor watching your child's working deliver. Families also avoid the travel that kills weekly consistency.
How early should we start?οΌ
Light weekly work from Year 4, building to full mocks in Year 5, is the calm route. We also run accelerated programmes for late starters.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 2026-10-02.
Helpful guides
Free practice tests
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