Three Months Until the 11+: What Can Your Child Achieve?

With about three months remaining until the 11+ tests for the Salisbury Grammar Schools, some families may be wondering whether has their child done enough? Others may feel overwhelmed by the amount of work still to be done and many children themselves are becoming increasingly aware that the tests are approaching.

The good news is that three months is still a significant amount of time. While no child is likely to transform overnight, it is absolutely possible to make meaningful progress before September. More importantly, with the support of both parents and our experienced 11+ teachers, children can build the confidence, resilience and test techniques needed to approach the tests positively.

Having supported many children through the 11+ process for over 20 years, here are some of the key things I would like every parent to know.

The 11+ Is Not Just an IQ Test

One of the biggest misconceptions about the 11+ is that it simply measures intelligence.

While natural ability certainly plays a role, the 11+ rewards a combination of skills including vocabulary, reading comprehension, mathematical fluency, reasoning skills, concentration, stamina and time management.

Many children improve considerably through focused preparation because they learn how the tests work and become familiar with the style of questions they are likely to encounter.

Reading Is Vital

If I could recommend just one thing for children to do over the next three months, alongside regular practice, it would be to read. Strong readers tend to perform better across almost every aspect of the 11+. Reading improves vocabulary, comprehension, spelling, inference skills and general knowledge. It exposes children to sophisticated language and helps them become more confident when tackling unfamiliar words. Twenty to thirty minutes of daily reading can make a remarkable difference over the course of a summer.

Speed Matters as Much as Knowledge

Many children know how to answer the questions but struggle to complete the papers within the time allowed. As the tests approach, it becomes increasingly important to focus on timing. Children should learn how to:

• Move on from difficult questions

• Return to challenging questions later

• Make sensible guesses when necessary

• Work efficiently under pressure

• Check answers quickly and effectively

Strong test technique can be worth several additional marks.

Focus on the Biggest Gaps

At this stage, families sometimes make the mistake of trying to revise everything.

Instead, it is often more effective to identify the areas that will have the greatest impact.

For many children this might include:

• Times tables fluency

• Fractions, decimals and percentages

• Vocabulary development

• Comprehension skills

• Specific verbal or non-verbal reasoning question types

Targeted practice usually produces better results than trying to cover every possible topic.

Regular Practice Is Better Than Endless Practice

Children do not need to spend every waking hour completing worksheets. Short, focused and consistent practice is generally far more effective than occasional marathon revision sessions. A small amount of quality work completed regularly often leads to better progress and less stress for the whole family.

Confidence Matters

Confidence is often underestimated.

Every year we see children who know the content become anxious during the test. Equally, we see children who remain calm and positive when faced with difficult questions perform better than expected. Confidence comes from familiarity, preparation and encouragement. Children need opportunities to experience success, learn from mistakes and understand that getting some questions wrong is perfectly normal.

Children Still Need to Be Children

This is perhaps one of the most important points of all.

The summer before the 11+ should not consist entirely of tutoring, revision and practice papers.

Children still need:

• Family time

• Friends

• Sport and exercise

• Hobbies and interests

• Plenty of sleep

A happy and well-rested child is much more likely to perform well than a child who feels exhausted and overwhelmed.

Some Late Developers Surprise Everyone

One of the most encouraging aspects of the 11+ journey is that progress is rarely linear.

Some children who appear to be struggling in June make tremendous progress over the summer and achieve excellent outcomes.

Others who seemed very strong earlier in the year may plateau if they lose motivation or confidence.

Children develop at different rates and comparisons with others are rarely helpful.

The focus should always be on helping each child become the best version of themselves.

Looking for a Little Extra Support Before September?

For families who would like some additional support over the summer, Forest 1st Tutoring offers a range of opportunities for children preparing for the 11+. We will be running face-to-face classes from 10th August, followed by four intensive preparation days from 25th to 28th August, just before children return to school. These sessions provide an excellent opportunity for children to refine their techniques, address any remaining areas of difficulty and approach the examinations feeling calm and prepared.

Throughout the summer holidays, our experienced tutors Eloise and Nathan will also be delivering online sessions designed to strengthen key skills and build confidence.

In addition, we continue to run our popular after-school 11+ classes during term time. Where places are available, we would be delighted to welcome children who are looking for an extra boost before the examinations, whether or not they have previously worked with us.

Final Thoughts

The next three months are not about creating a perfect candidate.

They are about helping your child become more confident, more prepared and more resilient. Small improvements made consistently over the summer can have a significant impact by September. Most importantly, remember that the 11+ is only one step in your child's educational journey. Whatever the outcome, the skills your child develops through preparation — perseverance, organisation, problem-solving and confidence — will continue to benefit them long after the tests are over.

If you would like more information on how we can support your child over the next three months or you would like to sign up for 11+ sessions beginning this September for the 2027 11+ tests please contact Joelle: enquiries@forest-1st-tutoring.co.uk