When should my child start 11+ preparation?

Parents often feel they have either started too late or are pushing too early. The truth is that the timing matters less than doing the right thing at each stage. Here is how we think about it, with a term-by-term plan you can follow.

When is the 11+ test?

The test is at the very start of Year 6, so your child has less time than you might think. For September 2027 entry, the Redbridge 11+ was on Friday 18 September 2026, with registration from 1 May to 15 June 2026 in Year 5 (Redbridge 11 plus page).

The Essex CSSE test is on a similar timetable. For 2027 entry, CSSE tests were on Saturday 19 September 2026 (CSSE Information Guide 2027 Entry).

This means the summer holiday before Year 6 is the last stretch, not the start. Most of the learning has to happen in Year 5.

When should we start?

Start focused 11+ preparation at the beginning of Year 5 if you can. That gives around a year of steady work, which is enough for most children without burning them out.

Starting in Year 4 is fine if it is gentle. It should mean strong basics, lots of reading and short bits of fun puzzle practice, not hours of test papers.

Starting in the spring of Year 5 is still possible. It just needs a clearer plan and more regular practice.

What does a Year 4 to Year 6 plan look like?

Here is the plan we use as a starting point. Every child is different, so we adjust it after an assessment.

What should Year 4 focus on?

Year 4 is about foundations, not 11+ papers. The 11+ tests Maths and English skills that children build up over years.

The most useful things in Year 4 are:

• Times tables. Fast, accurate recall makes every Maths question easier.
• Reading. Children who read widely have a bigger vocabulary, and vocabulary is a large part of verbal reasoning.
• Mental arithmetic. Adding, taking away and halving in your head, without fingers or paper.

Keep it to 15 to 20 minutes on most days. If your child enjoys it, that is a good sign.

What should Year 5 focus on?

Year 5 is the main preparation year. Your child learns the question types, fills gaps and builds speed.

In the autumn, introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning slowly. Our guide to verbal and non-verbal reasoning shows the main types with simple examples.

In the spring, find and fix gaps. The 11+ often tests Maths topics a little ahead of where many Year 5 classes are, such as ratio or harder fractions. A tutor or a good practice book helps here.

In the summer term, two things happen. You register for the test, and your child starts working against the clock. The test uses a multiple-choice layout with answer sheets, according to GL Assessment's familiarisation materials, so practise filling these in.

What should happen in the summer holiday and Year 6?

The summer holiday is for full, timed practice papers and careful review. One or two papers a week is plenty for most children.

Mistakes matter more than scores at this stage. Go through every wrong answer and ask, "Was it a knowledge gap, a careless slip, or running out of time?" Each needs a different fix.

In September, ease off. A tired child does worse than a rested one. Make sure you know the test time, the venue and the photo ID rules.

How many hours a week should my child do?

Less than many parents expect. A sensible guide is:

• Year 4: 15 to 20 minutes most days, mostly reading and times tables.
• Year 5, autumn and spring: 2 to 3 hours a week, including any lessons.
• Year 5, summer and the holiday: 3 to 4 hours a week, including timed papers.

These are our suggestions, not official rules. Watch your child. If they dread it or stop sleeping well, slow down.

Is it ever too late to start?

It is rarely too late to help, but it can be too late to cover everything. If your child is starting in the summer of Year 5, focus on question types, timing and their weakest area.

Be realistic about the catchment too. For Ilford County High and Woodford County High, only children living in the Common Catchment Area have been admitted in the last 10 years, according to the Redbridge Admissions Arrangements 2027-28. Check your address first with our Barking catchment guide.

How do I know if the 11+ is right for my child?

Talk to their class teacher, and watch how they handle challenge. Redbridge itself asks parents to discuss with the primary headteacher whether grammar school would benefit their child before registering.

A child who enjoys puzzles, reads a lot and is working above the expected level in Maths and English is often a good fit. A child who is struggling with Year 5 work may be happier with strong support at a good comprehensive. Both paths can lead to great results. Our guide on what to do if your child doesn't pass covers this.

How LCB can help

Our 11+ tutoring follows this kind of plan, adjusted to each child. Lessons are in small groups of 3 to 5, in Barking or online, and cover Maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Your child has the same tutor every week, and you get a monthly progress report.

Most families start with one or two lessons a week in Year 5. See our pricing for plan details, or book a free assessment and we will tell you honestly where your child is and how much preparation they need.