11 plus preparation: 5 common Mistakes to avoid
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11 plus preparation can feel like a daunting process, particularly when there is so much conflicting advice about what children should be doing, when they should start and how much preparation is enough. While every child is different, there are some common mistakes that can make the process more stressful than it needs to be. In this guide, we explore five of the most common mistakes parents make during 11+ preparation — and, importantly, what you can do instead.
1. Starting 11 plus preparation too late
One of the biggest mistakes is leaving 11 plus preparation until the final few months before the examination. Trying to tackle Maths, English, reasoning, and exam technique all at once can cause unnecessary pressure and anxiety on both child and parent.
Starting earlier allows prepartion to be gradual. Year 3 and Year 4 do not need to involve intensive exam practice, instead they can be used to build storng academic foundatios before more focused preparation begins in Year 5. Click here for more advice on when you should start 11 plus preparation.
2. Focusing on the wrong 11 plus exam
There is a wide misconception that the 11 plus examination is a centralised and standardised exam. However this is not the case: Different schools and Areas use different formats, question types and assessment providers.
Parents should understand exactly what their target school test involves before choosing preparation material for their child. At North Finchley Tutors, we are experts in what it takes to tackle 11 plus exams from a wide range of schools.
3. Neglecting the fundamentals
It can be tempting to jump striaght into difficult 11+questions. However, if a child has gaps in their underlying Maths or English knowledge, continually practising harder questions can be very ineffective. At North Finchley Tutors, preparation starts with the foundations: Mental arithemtic, vocabulary reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and problem-solving skills, which all contribute to success in sleective entrance examinations
4. Treating the 11+ as something your child has to do alone.
Perhaps the biggest mistake is assuming tht preparation involves nothing more than giving your child a pile of books and telling them to practice. To succeed at 11+ plus and maintain motivation, it is vtial for children to have continual structure, feedback and guidance. They need someone who can identify what they are struggling with, explain difficult concepts clearly and monitor their progress as they go through their 11 plus journey.
That is one of the reasons that structured tutoring can be so valuable. At North Finchley Tutors, we work with chrildren from Year 3 through Year 5, allowing prepation to develop progressively, from strengthening core academic skills to focused 11+ preparation to develop progressively. You can find out more about the courses offered at NFT below:
5. Not realising the aim isnt to do more. Its to prepare better
Successful 11+ preparation isn’t about completeing the most worksheets, staring the earliest or spending every evening studying IT is about starting at the right time, understanding what your child’s target schools actually require, identifying weaknesses and developing the skills and confidence needed to perform at their best.At North Finchley Tutors, we work with children across all three years, tailoring the level of preparation to their age and ability. Our goal is not simply to get children through an entrance examination; it is build the academic ability and confidence that gives them the best possible chance of succeeding when the examination arrives.
Feel free to get in contact with us below for more support or information about our 11 plus courses:
