2026-07-12
Best Time to Start 11+ Preparation
When to begin 11+ preparation, how Year 4 and Year 5 differ, and how parents can avoid last-minute exam stress.
There is no single perfect date
The best time to start depends on the child. A confident reader with strong Maths may need a shorter, sharper plan. A child with vocabulary, arithmetic or confidence gaps may need longer.
Many families use Year 4 to strengthen foundations and Year 5 for more focused 11+ preparation.
Signs your child should start earlier
Start earlier if your child avoids reading, struggles with times tables, finds word problems difficult, panics with timed work or has never seen reasoning questions.
Early preparation does not need to mean pressure. It can mean steady reading, number fluency, vocabulary and short reasoning tasks.
Need a plan for your child?
Book an assessment to discuss year group, exam target, confidence and the right next step.