11 plus / Latymer grammar entrance exam

[GreatDarkWing]

What's the usual age to start preparing for these? DD is just finishing year 2, so I had assumed it wouldn't be until year 4, but is that complacent? Also, is a tutor necessary or will practice papers and general smarts be enough?

For context, DD has been doing year 5 maths and has a reading age well ahead of that (the school tested her last year and said it was 12/13 then) so I think she would be capable of thriving in a selective school without needing to be hothoused, but if she's going to sit the test I'd want to maximise the chances of her passing.

I'd suggest starting with some CGP or Bond workbooks (see here or on Amazon etc) in around Year 3 before moving on to more targeted practice papers in Year 4 and Year 5. The 8+ exams you can get on EPP etc are fine but it's not especially helpful for the real 11+ in Year 6.

If she's that far ahead, from January of Y5 should be enough. practice papers are still worth doing thoroughly - the 11+ is all about jumping through the hoops under timed conditions and you have to tailor prep to the format of the school.
Also worth applying to more than one as anyone can have a bad day. HBS / DAO might be other options for you.

depends on her smarts really and how she learns best. im 15 and i didnt do any tutoring or practice before and i passed all my 11+ exams and got into my 2nd option, granted maybe with a little work i wouldve probably easily been able to get into my 1st. Most of my friends who attend grammar schools started around year 4/5 but some did start as early as year 3.