Have I left it too late to start 11+ prep?

[LawyerMumAsia]

My child is going into year 5 in September and we didn’t do any 11+ prep this summer - partly because I started a new job over the summer which has been quite intense and the children have been put into various (fun and sporty and stimulating) camps. Feeling v guilty for not prioritising education. They have had maths tutor lessons weekly but that’s about it..

I guess it depends on your starting point. How are they doing in school? What’s your opinion of their general ability?
Edit for typo

It’s summer OP. Your child would not thank you for forcing him to work in the holidays. And most likely he would not have cooperated.
If he is meant to get into GS he will. If not, it’s not for him.

Going into Y6 it would be sporty to start prep now. Going into Y5 this is the right point to start. I didn’t start until later in Y5 for all of my dc. So don’t worry about it.

Thanks very much - this is helpful. I’ve been recommended to do verbal reasoning workbooks with him. Are there any particular ones that are good to get?

My DD will be starting year 5... I had no I idea that I should start to prep now? What should I be prepping her on?

I was told by my child's Y4 teacher that most parents start then which caused a brief panic. I gave her a few tests to sit cold to make myself feel better that all was not lost and will start properly this term...

It depends on what your aiming for (for is there are schools where you need 80% and schools where you need 98% ) and where they're currently at...

Woe betide your child becomes a failer and is labelled by you for the rest of their life.

Most kids start at the very beginning of yr 5 so you’re fine. It’s generally frowned upon to start earlier lest they become stale/burned out by too much tutoring.

What area are you? Bucks is GL. CGP ten minute tests/study books are well regarded for Bucks. Start with learning how to answer the questions before going on to any practice tests

Most kids will do a full year of prep. It depends what area you are as to what/how much. Typically English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and non-verbal reasoning.

Thank you. All really useful comments - appreciate it.

@BananaPeanutToast we are in north London - Mill Hill

My dd is going in to year 5 and is starting 11 plus tutoring lessons next month. I thought that's when everyone started?

Which schools are you aiming for? Unless you are in a full state grammar area different schools have different tests and requirements.

We only started in year 5. Did mix of books and bofa with no formal tutoring and DS passed (well) so I'd say not too late. However every child is different and 11+ also varies as some areas/schools are superselective so there are variables

My dd's 11+ exam is in 5 weeks and we started prep only a few months ago - we weren't entirely sure we would be moving into the area and I am firmly against hot-housing children for exams. I wouldn't be putting her forward at all if I didn't think she was capable, and the school needed to be the right fit too of course.

We are lucky in that there are plenty of non-selective options around if this doesn't work out, but even so I don't believe it's good for a child to be pressured so young. Starting in year 4 is madness.

Experienced teacher here.
Most kids start 11 plus tutoring from Y4. If your child is starting Y5, I don't think it's too late.
All depending on abilities etc.

I'm looking to online tutor for 11+ and I'd take on Y5 children. So go ahead! All the best.

Thanks @Littlebelina which books did you use if you don’t mind me asking

From a tutoring point of view, most start September/October of year 5 (once the tutors have space as the previous year sit the test mid September). So don't panic about being late. You are bang on time!

However, some kids only do a short intensive prep in the lead up to the exam - which is fine if they are strong contenders and just need to plug a few gaps/work on exam technique. Really depends on situation/budget/willingness to work etc etc!

Largely depends which school are you aiming for in North London and what kind of level your child is at now. Most parents start the summer towards year 5 and some determined mind started in year 4 or even earlier. I would say the target school and expectations make a difference in terms of prep efforts.

These but you need to check what format your area uses. Ours used GL but think there are others. www.amazon.co.uk/10-11-Practice-Assessment-Tests-Bundle/dp/B08L9WVF8J/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1IK72CUOTOWCF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jUvmS2Vxs6SXjDxBVgV5n1Q6DMaBu9zL85QValxnYECrJPk6zybPdIeJsn5uJOdxF69QWKTFJTM6oiXydAIMrChqpUvZmFK8U6uTaPGhj5bVlQAmeGpemVN1ilpJAPzh1YO5-XSSZ3MWSFKa2a01B4q1ZZDvXw9lLoiEHkqYqfaoD9FJGxn3UgDkZK8Ts8V3GmV1WZLVvNfKxkbUW7gZZHh7Io9RijtNjGsafYVClD0.uHectdDXpPbu0tBBY8ZGFJDkIci7JdU1yBiPLrGEYFQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=11+plus+books&qid=1724532632&sprefix=11+pl%2Caps%2C571&sr=8-3

Start with CGP and go from there. Make sure you get GL or CEM specific to your area though

All depends on the school you're aiming for, the current ability of your child and the month they were born (as it's a standardised test).

The standardised score is calculated by taking the mean of all the test scores, then adding 10-12% for typical grammar schools and 15-16% for more competitive ones, as the minimum criteria. (Example: for QE Barnet you realistically need 18% above mean to stand a chance of entry).

Typically, if if your child isn't at the top(ish) of their class atm, you're probably too late.

If you are already maths tutoring every week then sounds like you’ve already started in some way. We didn’t tutor our DD but did do self familiarisation from Y5 and some mock tests. All the time keeping up good maths and reading skills. This was aiming for a superselective grammar. I found the elevenplusexams forum very useful
www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/

Why do they have tutoring in Maths? If it's because (for whatever reason) you want them to constantly 'be ahead' in Maths, okay... But if it's in order to keep up with what is being taught at school, then are you sure that a secondary school admitting on academic ability is the right place for them?

Make sure you get GL or CEM specific to your area though
I don't think CEM are setting state 11 plus exams any more.
Check on the school website, it should tell you what type of tests.

Then most people started in Year 4, but it's not too
late to start in September.