The 11 Plus is a selective entrance examination sat by children in Year 6, typically at the age of 10 or 11, for entry to grammar schools and certain independent secondary schools.
Thorough 11 Plus preparation for grammar and independent schools
Preparing for the 11 Plus means more than revising English and Maths. Different schools use different entrance examinations, including GL Assessment, CEM and independent school papers, each with its own format and expectations. Our specialist 11 Plus tutors tailor every lesson to your child's target schools, helping them build the knowledge, confidence and exam technique needed to succeed.
97% five-star rating
GL + CEM format
100% DBS tutors
Preparing for the 11 Plus means more than revising English and Maths. Different schools use different entrance examinations, including GL Assessment, CEM and independent school papers, each with its own format and expectations. Our specialist 11 Plus tutors tailor every lesson to your child's target schools, helping them build the knowledge, confidence and exam technique needed to succeed.
Starting fromjust £28/hour
97% five-star rating
GL + CEM format
100% DBS tutors
What sets us apart
Why families across the UK choose Eximus Education for 11 Plus tuition
Preparing for the 11 Plus requires more than subject knowledge alone. Every family who joins Eximus Education benefits from personalised support, specialist tutors and a preparation programme tailored to their child's target schools and examination pathway.
Built around your target schools
Every grammar and independent school has its own admissions process. We tailor each student's preparation around their target schools, ensuring lessons reflect the format, subjects and expectations of the examinations they'll actually sit.
Personalised tutor matching
Every child is matched with a tutor based on their target schools, current attainment, learning style and the time available before the examination. We focus on finding the right tutor for your child, not simply the next available tutor.
Past papers with personalised feedback
Practice papers are more than a progress check. Every paper is reviewed in detail with the tutor, who explains mistakes, identifies learning gaps and reinforces the techniques needed to improve performance under timed conditions.
Timed practice from the beginning
Success in the 11 Plus depends on more than getting the right answers. Our tutors gradually introduce timed exercises and exam-style questions to build confidence, improve accuracy and help children work effectively under pressure.
Familiar with every major 11 Plus format
Whether your child is preparing for GL Assessment, CEM or an independent school entrance examination, our tutors tailor lessons to the format, question style and skills required by their target schools.
Recognised for excellence
Proud winners at the UK Enterprise Awards and the UK National Tutoring Awards, and a three-time finalist for Tutoring Provider of the Year at the UK Education Investor Awards.
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The four subject areas of the 11 plus examination
The 11 Plus tests children across four areas of ability, each of which requires a different type of preparation. Our 11 Plus tutors cover all four subject areas, working through the specific question types and paper formats used by the exam board your child will be sitting.
‘We had tried a couple of practice paper books on our own before looking for a tutor and it was not working. Our son was getting through the papers but did not understand why he was getting questions wrong. His Eximus Education tutor spent time going through each error in detail and the improvement was noticeable within a few weeks.’
James
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Parent
‘My daughter was aiming for a selective independent school that sets its own Maths and English papers. Her tutor was familiar with the format the school uses and planned the sessions around the specific style of questions that school tends to set. She received an offer in January.’
Sandra
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Parent
‘Booking was straightforward, the free trial meant we could assess the quality before committing, and the tutor was clearly one of the best 11 Plus tutors we could have found. My daughter secured a place at her first-choice grammar school.’
Maria
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Parent
‘My son started 11 Plus preparation with Eximus Education in September of Year 5 and sat the exam in September of Year 6. Having a full year with a tutor who knew exactly what to cover and in what order meant he never felt underprepared. He passed and he is going to his first choice grammar school in September.’
Leila
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Parent
‘I liked that the tutor who was matched to my son knew exactly which grammar schools we were targeting and tailored the sessions around those specific papers rather than giving us generic 11 Plus preparation.’
Amir
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Parent
How we help with mock tests and practice papers
Most children sit 11 Plus practice papers independently at home. The problem is that a wrong answer without an explanation teaches nothing, and a child can repeat the same error again. Fortunately, our mock test sessions change that, whether your child needs a specialist 11 Plus verbal reasoning tutor or support across all four subject areas, every mock session is built around the specific question types they find most difficult.
Subject knowledge first
Before working through 11 Plus practice papers in earnest, a child needs to have a solid grasp of the underlying content, particularly in Maths and English.
Timed mock examinations
Full mock papers sat under real exam conditions, timed to the same specifications as the GL Assessment or CEM paper your child will face.
Detailed marking and review
Every mock paper is marked and reviewed with the tutor in session. Each wrong answer is explained, the correct method is worked through, and the question type is identified.
Progress tracking across sessions
Mock results are tracked across sessions so patterns in performance become visible over time. So, students go through question types in which they are most confused.
Exam day preparation
The final stage of 11 Plus preparation covers exam day logistics, like how to manage time across the paper and what to do when a question is unclear.
11 Plus past papers by school
Here are some past papers for your child to work through as part of their preparation, giving them a clear picture of what to expect on the day and the standard they are working towards.
A highly selective pool of professional 11 plus tutors
Our tutors are our personal introduction. Fewer than two in every hundred applicants are selected through a rigorous process of subject assessments, teaching demonstrations, and interviews. Every tutor holds a recognised degree and full DBS and safeguarding clearance. Because we know each tutor personally, we can match every child with exceptional care and confidence.
Mariam
University of Reading
Fareeha
University of East London
Shameen
NUST
Mustafa
IImenau University of Technology
Brandon
University College London
Maria
University of Bucharest
Michelle
King's College London
Fawad
Luiss Guido Carli University
Sonan
University of Oxford
Fareeha
University of East London
Mustafa
IImenau University of Technology
Maria
University of Bucharest
Fawad
Luiss Guido Carli University
Loved by parents and students alike
4 out of 5 students have shown to achieve A or B grades after just 10 hours of tutoring with us historically
Known for being highly effective, personalised, and exam-focused
Super flexible one-to-one and group online tutoring, with schedules designed to fit your pace and needs.
Specialising in key exam techniques, revision strategies, and past paper practice for all subjects
Book a free trial lesson with a matched 11 Plus specialist today
Take the first step with a complimentary trial lesson, thoughtfully matched with an experienced 11 Plus tutor. Discover how the right tutor can build confidence, strengthen skills, and set your child on the path to success.
How online 11 Plus tuition with Eximus Education works
From your first enquiry to exam day, we make the process simple and personalised. Every step is designed to ensure your child is matched with the right tutor and receives preparation tailored to their target schools and examination.
Step 1: Tell us about your child
Complete a short enquiry form and we'll arrange a friendly consultation to understand your child's target schools, current attainment, confidence levels and the time available before the examination. The more we know, the better we can tailor their preparation.
Step 2: We'll carefully match your 11 Plus tutor
Using everything you've shared, we'll match your child with a tutor whose experience best suits their target schools, exam format and learning style. We'll also share their profile before lessons begin, so you can feel confident in the match from day one.
Step 3: Experience a free trial lesson
Every family receives a free 30-minute trial lesson with their matched tutor before making any commitment. If you don't feel it's the right fit, we'll happily arrange another carefully selected tutor and a second free trial at no additional cost. Your child's confidence and comfort always come first.
Step 4: Begin personalised 11+ preparation
Once you're happy with the match, regular lessons begin on a schedule that suits your family. Every lesson is tailored to your child's target schools, helping them build subject knowledge, reasoning skills and exam confidence through structured preparation and regular progress updates.
Understanding the 11 Plus exam
The 11 Plus is a selective entrance examination taken by children in Year 6, usually aged 10 or 11, as part of the admissions process for grammar schools and many independent schools across the UK. Because it is not part of the National Curriculum, schools are not expected to prepare pupils for it during the school day, meaning most families choose specialist 11 Plus tuition to support their child's preparation.
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Sat in Year 6 (usually aged 10–11)
Most 11 Plus examinations take place during September or October of Year 6, with applications submitted during the autumn term.
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Four assessed subject areas
Most 11 Plus examinations assess English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, although the exact combination varies between schools.
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Different exam formats
Schools may use GL Assessment, CEM or their own independently written entrance papers, each with its own question style, structure and level of difficulty.
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Age-standardised scores
Results are age-standardised, helping ensure children born later in the academic year are assessed fairly alongside older candidates.
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Grammar and independent school admissions
11 Plus results play an important role in admissions, although individual schools may also consider catchment areas, interviews or additional assessments as part of their selection process.
The 11 Plus is not a single national examination. Every school sets its own admissions process, meaning the subjects tested, exam format and selection criteria can differ considerably. Some schools assess all four subject areas, while others place greater emphasis on English and Mathematics or include creative writing and interviews as part of the admissions process.
The two most widely used examination providers are GL Assessment and CEM, although many independent schools write their own entrance papers. Understanding which examination your child will sit is one of the most important steps in planning effective preparation, as each format assesses knowledge and reasoning skills in different ways.
Because admissions requirements vary from school to school, successful preparation goes beyond learning the curriculum. Children need to develop strong subject knowledge, reasoning skills, exam technique and confidence under timed conditions. At Eximus Education, every 11 Plus tuition programme is tailored to the specific schools your child is applying to, ensuring lessons focus on the skills and question styles they are most likely to encounter.
GL Assessment and CEM
GL Assessment
GL Assessment papers are the most widely used format across grammar school regions in England. The tests are structured across four separate papers covering Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
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Commonly used in Kent, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham, Essex and Lincolnshire.
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Four separate papers with defined question types.
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Multiple choice and standard answer formats.
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Strong response to structured 11 Plus practice papers and timed drills.
Centre for evaluation and monitoring
CEM papers, developed at Durham University, are designed to be less predictable than GL Assessment and more resistant to pure rote learning. The two papers typically combine verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning elements in a format that changes from year to year.
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Used in Berkshire, Wiltshire, Yorkshire, parts of the Midlands and Northern Ireland.
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Two combined papers rather than four separate subject papers.
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Question types vary year on year.
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Requires broad vocabulary and flexible reasoning rather than rote preparation.
What happens after the 11 Plus exam?
While every grammar school and independent school follows its own admissions policy, there are a few principles that apply across most 11 Plus examinations.
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Results are age-standardised. Raw marks are converted into an age-standardised score (SAS), helping ensure children born later in the academic year are not disadvantaged compared with older candidates.
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Every school sets its own qualifying score. There is no national pass mark for the 11 Plus. Each grammar school determines its own admissions threshold based on factors such as the number of applicants, places available and overall performance in that year's examination.
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A qualifying score does not always guarantee a place. Many schools receive more qualifying applicants than they have places available, so factors such as catchment area, admissions criteria and oversubscription rules may also be considered.
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Children can apply to more than one school. Families often apply to several grammar or independent schools, although the examinations required may differ depending on the admissions process.
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Independent schools may include additional assessments. Many independent schools use their own entrance papers and may invite shortlisted applicants to interviews or other assessment activities before making offers.
Illustrative Standardised Age Score (SAS) ranges
*Illustrative only. Qualifying scores vary between schools and can change each year.
The 11 Plus preparation timeline
Most families underestimate how much lead time effective 11 Plus preparation requires. Here is the timeline that most successful candidates follow.
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Year 4, ages 8 to 9
The ideal starting point for families considering grammar school. Families who feel their child may need a specialist 11 Plus non verbal, or english or maths tutor often begin that work here, since spatial and pattern reasoning skills take the longest to build from scratch.
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Year 5, ages 9 to 10
Introduction to the 11 Plus question formats. Verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and dedicated 11 Plus maths tutor sessions are introduced systematically, with practice papers used to build familiarity.
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Year 6, ages 10 to 11
The final year before the exam. 11 Plus preparation shifts to timed practice, mock testing, and refining exam technique. By September of year 6, a child sitting the GL Assessment or CEM paper should be working through full mock papers under timed conditions.
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September or October of year 6
The 11 Plus exams are generally in early to mid-September. Results are typically released in October or November, with grammar school place offers following shortly after. Independent school processes, including interviews, usually run between November and January.
Discover what a perfectly matched 11 plus tutor can do for your child
Meet a matched 11+ specialist, assess your child's current level, and begin a personalised plan built for lasting confidence and success.
Frequently Asked Questions
GL Assessment produces four separate papers covering Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, while CEM combines verbal and numerical reasoning into two papers and changes its question format more frequently.
Our online 11 Plus tuition starts from £28 per hour with no contract, no joining fee and no minimum term. You book the sessions you need on a fully flexible pay as you go basis. 100% of students who enrol receive a free 30 minute trial lesson before any sessions are confirmed.
Yes, every 11 Plus maths tutor on our panel is assessed specifically on the Maths content covered in both GL Assessment and CEM papers, including number operations, fractions, ratio, algebra and problem solving.
Yes, every 11 Plus English tutor on our panel covers reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and creative writing across both GL Assessment and CEM formats.
Most families who achieve a successful result begin structured preparation at the start of Year 5 or the end of Year 4, giving roughly a year to build subject knowledge, work through 11 Plus practice papers and develop exam technique before the test in September or October of Year 6.
Yes, alongside grammar school entrance preparation covering GL Assessment and CEM, our tutors are familiar with the entrance paper formats used by a number of leading independent secondary schools.
Fewer than 2 in every 100 applicants are accepted onto our 11 Plus tutoring panel. Every tutor is assessed on their subject knowledge, put through a structured teaching demonstration and required to pass a full DBS and safeguarding check before working with any student.
Yes, every new student receives a free 30 minute trial lesson with their matched tutor before any sessions are booked. You can assess the quality of teaching and the approach to 11 Plus preparation before making any commitment.
Raw marks are converted to standardised scores, which are age weighted to account for when in the year a child was born. The score needed to pass varies by school and by region. Some grammar schools in highly competitive areas require scores above 120, while others set their pass mark closer to 111.
Yes, completing practice papers without thorough mark scheme review is one of the most common preparation mistakes. Our tutors go through every error in detail, identifying whether the issue is a knowledge gap, a method error or a time management problem, and address each one directly in the sessions that follow.
We respond to every enquiry within two hours and aim to have a tutor matched and a free trial lesson arranged shortly after that initial conversation. In most cases students have a tutor confirmed within the same day as their enquiry.