Because your sanity matters just as much as their success
“I spent six months feeling like I was failing my daughter. We tried an intensive schedule that all the other parents were doing – two hours daily, expensive workbooks, the works. She was miserable, I was miserable. Then we scaled back to just 30 minutes three times a week with games and puzzles mixed in. Not only did her scores improve, but we actually started enjoying the process. She passed with flying colors – and more importantly, still loved learning.” – Emma, mother of Charlotte (now at grammar school)
Let’s be honest – when you first start thinking about 11+ prep, that knot in your stomach isn’t just about your child’s future. It’s the overwhelming pressure to somehow transform into an expert educational planner overnight. Between the endless workbooks, conflicting online advice, and those parents in the playground casually mentioning their intensive daily sessions (“Oh, we started when Tarquin was still in nappies!”), it’s no wonder you’re lying awake at 3am wondering if you’re already hopelessly behind.
Research consistently shows that balanced, moderate preparation approaches are more effective than intensive drilling. According to GL Assessment, the dominant 11+ exam provider, families should begin preparation ‘at least a year in advance’ with regular, manageable sessions rather than intensive cramming.
Creating a home study plan doesn’t have to turn your kitchen table into a battleground or your evenings into tearful standoffs. This guide will walk you through creating a study routine that actually works for your real family with your real child – while preserving the childhood they deserve.
The Path To 11+ Success: Three Approaches
| Approach | What It Looks Like | Likely Outcome |
| The Pressure Cooker | Daily intensive sessions, multiple tutors, constant testing | May achieve exam success but with high burnout risk, anxiety and damaged love of learning |
| The Wing-It Method | Irregular practice, last-minute cramming, no consistent routine | Unprepared for exam format, time pressure, and specific question types |
| The Balanced Path | Consistent, moderate practice with built-in flexibility and focus on wellbeing | Steady progress, reduced anxiety, maintained confidence and preserved family relationships |
First Things First: What Are You Working With?
Before you even think about buying that stack of workbooks or mapping out a military-precision timetable, take some time to understand what you’re really dealing with.
Your Child’s Learning Profile
- What comes naturally? Is your child a maths whizz but struggles with reading comprehension? Do they have amazing vocabulary but freeze when faced with non-verbal patterns?
- Focus time: Be brutally honest here. Can they genuinely concentrate for 30 minutes, or is 15 minutes their limit before the fidgeting and ceiling-staring begins?
- The emotional stuff: How do they feel about the whole 11+ thing? Excited? Nervous? Completely unbothered? Their mindset will affect how you structure everything.
Building Your Weekly Routine
Now comes the part where you actually put something on the calendar. But don’t worry – we’re starting small and keeping it real.
Phase 1: Getting Started (Year 3-4 or Early Prep)
- Two or three 20-30 minute sessions per week – perhaps Monday after school, Wednesday evening, and Saturday morning
- One subject focus per session – don’t try to cram everything in
- Consistency trumps everything – same days, same times creates a habit
Phase 2: Building Momentum (Mid Year 4-5)
- Three to four 30-minute sessions weekly
- Mix it up: rotate between English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning
- Intro to formats: worksheets one day, online games another, flashcards for vocabulary
Phase 3: The Business End (Late Year 5-6)
- Four to five focused sessions weekly
- Balanced approach: ensure all subjects get regular attention
- Test technique: start introducing timed mini-tests to build exam confidence
Sample Plans Based On Your Starting Point
If You’re Starting Early (Year 3-4)
PHASE 1 (3-6 months): Foundation Building
TUESDAY (after school): 20 mins – Puzzles & games building core skills
SATURDAY (morning): 30 mins – Reading comprehension & vocabulary
PHASE 2 (6+ months): Gentle Introduction
Add a THURSDAY session with early 11+ format introduction
If You’re Starting Mid-Journey (Early-Mid Year 5)
MONTH 1-2: Accelerated Foundation
MON, WED, SAT: 30 mins each – Rotating subject focus
Focus on building familiarity with question formats
MONTH 3+: Structured Practice
Add a FRIDAY session, introduce practice test elements
If You’re Starting Late (Late Year 5 or Early Year 6)
MON, WED, FRI: 30-40 mins – Subject-specific training
SATURDAY: 45 mins – Mixed practice & test techniques
SUNDAY: 30 mins – Focus on identified weak areas
Key: Prioritize exam technique and time management
Activity Ideas That Actually Work
For English: Create “word of the day” challenges, play Boggle or Scrabble, read newspaper articles and summarize them in 3 sentences
For Maths: Use cooking for fractions practice, Khan Academy games, times table competitions with prizes
For Verbal Reasoning: Word association games in the car, crosswords together, word pattern hunts in regular reading
For Non-Verbal Reasoning: Tangrams, spot-the-difference games, pattern-copying challenges
What To Do When Your Child Refuses To Engage
Many parents face resistance, especially initially. Try these proven approaches:
- The stealth method: Integrate learning into games without labeling it as “11+ practice”
- The partnership approach: Let them choose between two different activities
- The reward system: Create a simple chart where completed sessions earn points toward a desired activity
- The timing experiment: Test different times of day – some children focus better in the morning, others after physical activity
“My daughter would moan endlessly about practice sessions until we discovered she worked brilliantly first thing Saturday morning. While I made pancakes, she’d happily tackle reasoning questions at the kitchen counter. The right timing transformed our experience.” – Helen, mother of Sophia
When Life Gets in the Way
Here’s the part most guides won’t tell you: some weeks, your carefully crafted plan will fall apart spectacularly. A work crisis, chicken pox, family visiting – real life happens. Rather than beating yourself up, have a backup plan:
The Minimum Viable Routine (MVR)
Research shows that consistency matters more than quantity. During challenging weeks, focus on maintaining the habit with your MVR:
- One 15-minute session on your child’s strongest subject (to maintain confidence)
- One 15-minute session on a developing area
- Quick daily vocabulary builders (word of the day at breakfast, synonym game in the car)
Recovery Strategies For Different Disruptions
| Disruption | Recovery Strategy | What To Avoid |
| Illness | Focus on passive learning (audiobooks, educational videos) | Pressuring an unwell child to “catch up” |
| Holidays | Short, fun sessions every 2-3 days, focused on games | Ruining family time with rigid schedules |
| Work Crisis | Enlist family help, use weekend catch-up, simplify activities | Marathon catch-up sessions |
| Child Resistance | Take a 2-3 day complete break, then restart with something enjoyable | Forced compliance and arguments |
“During a two-week holiday, we completely paused formal practice but played word games and math puzzles for fun. When we returned to regular sessions, my son had actually improved in several areas. The mental break had given him time to consolidate what he’d learned.” – David, father of James
Recognizing When It’s Too Much
Your study plan should support your child, not break them. The importance of recognizing burnout is supported by extensive research on academic pressure. A systematic review published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found strong associations between excessive academic pressure and mental health problems in young people.
Normal Resistance vs. True Burnout: Know The Difference
| Normal Resistance | Potential Burnout Warning |
| Occasional complaints but engages once started | Persistent dread or anxiety before sessions |
| Specific dislikes (“I hate these word problems”) | General negativity about all aspects of learning |
| Temporarily distracted or unfocused | Unable to focus even on previously enjoyed activities |
| Negotiates to delay sessions | Emotional or physical distress when sessions mentioned |
| Ups and downs in motivation | Consistent downward trend in energy and engagement |
Watch for these warning signs that you need to dial things back:
- Sudden resistance to activities they previously enjoyed
- Emotional outbursts before or during study time
- Physical complaints like headaches or stomach aches on study days
- Sleep disturbances or increased anxiety
- Loss of interest in other activities they used to love
If You Spot Burnout: The Reset Protocol
- Take a complete break for at least one week from formal practice
- Have an honest conversation about what feels overwhelming
- Restart with reduced frequency and duration (half your previous schedule)
- Focus on confidence-building in strongest subjects first
- Slowly reintroduce challenge areas with a fresh approach
Remember What Really Matters: The Surprising Truth About 11+ Success
A good 11+ study plan isn’t measured by how many hours you put in or how many workbooks you complete. The most compelling research shows that successful 11+ candidates share these characteristics:
- Confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems
- Thinking skills that extend beyond memorized answers
- A positive relationship with learning and challenge
- Resilience when facing difficult tasks
- Balance between academic work and childhood joy
The data reveals something even more interesting: children who maintain extracurricular activities and adequate free play during 11+ preparation actually outperform those with intensive academic-only schedules. Their problem-solving abilities remain flexible, and their stress resilience is significantly higher.
FAQ: Your Most Common Concerns Answered
Q: Will this gentle approach really be enough if other children are doing two hours daily?
A: Research consistently shows quality trumps quantity. Focused, consistent practice that maintains a child’s enthusiasm produces better results than longer sessions that create stress and resistance.
Q: We’re starting in late Year 5. Have we left it too late?
A: Not at all. Many children succeed with 6-9 months of consistent, targeted preparation. Focus on efficient learning strategies rather than trying to make up for lost time with excessive hours.
Q: My child resists every practice session. Should I push through or give up?
A: Neither. Take a short break, then restart with completely different activities in smaller time chunks. Build positive associations first, then gradually increase challenge level.
Q: How do we handle it if the 11+ doesn’t go as hoped?
A: Many children thrive at non-grammar schools, and appeals/second-round entries are often successful. The skills developed during preparation benefit all future learning regardless of outcome.
Above all, remember that thousands of parents have survived this process before you – and most found it wasn’t nearly as scary as they first thought. The 11+ is just one step in your child’s educational journey, not the final destination.
