11 plus tutor – should you hire one for your child?

When a pupil is in their last year of primary school in England or Northern Ireland, they may take the eleven-plus test (11+), which decides their admittance to grammar schools and other secondary institutions that use academic selection.

The 11 Plus exam’s purpose is to help grammar, private, and independent schools identify and enrol the brightest kids. Examining how many students are accepted into schools that utilize the eleven-plus test is one of the best methods to learn how many students pass the exam. A rough estimate is that every year, around 100,000 pupils take the test. Out of an estimated 15,000 pupils, these kids have the opportunity to earn one spot. With their test results, pupils have a 15% chance of being accepted and succeeding. This proportion is relatively low, indicating that this test is quite challenging for kids – but you can hire an eleven-plus tutor to help your child get ahead.

11 plus tutor – finding the right one

Every parent wants their child to have the best chance of eleven-plus success, and choosing the right tutor could be the key. This exam is distinct from what a youngster would likely accomplish in school and assesses more than just their fundamental abilities. Your youngster won’t learn the theory underlying the question by just completing old exams. Your kid will have a personal coach and mentor in the form of a perfect tutor, in addition to a teacher who will provide them with tailored one-on-one assistance based on their unique areas of weakness. Choosing an 11 Plus tutor can frequently be an emotional process, but once the choice is made, reason and practicality must swiftly take over. When selecting the tutor, there are a variety of different aspects to take into account. These consist of the following:

  • Experience: “The most crucial question to ask is whether the 11 plus tutor has any previous success securing admission for students to the schools.”
  • Pass rates: Ask the tutor what percentage of their pupils have passed the test over the previous several years to get an idea of their pass rates.
  • Qualifications: Although official credentials are not required for eleven-plus Tutors, it could make you feel more at ease if yours does.

After deciding on a tutor, you must ensure that your child is making progress with them.  It is normal to request a report after every six to eight sessions and to discuss your child’s test results. Are they progressing, or are there any areas where they are still having difficulty?

Preparing for the 11 plus

The youngster and the school they want to attend typically have the most influence on this. Higher pass rates are required by more competitive schools and locations, thus parents in these circumstances often start their preparation sooner, perhaps as early as Year 4, to allow for enough revision for the test without feeling under pressure. Most often, classes will begin towards the conclusion of Year 5 or 12 months before the test. You may be guaranteed to receive high-quality instruction since tutors will adjust the session to your child’s age and aptitude.

Revision for 11 plus

Revision for the test takes planning and focus. With a timetable for eleven-plus in place, children will significantly increase their chances of passing the eleven-plus exam. A half-hour revision every other night, several months before the exam, should be plenty of time to improve your child’s chances of success.

Why is 11 plus so hard?      

On the 11 Plus exam, there are 4 primary courses that are assessed. These include verbal reasoning, arithmetic, non-verbal reasoning, and English. Since children are taught courses like arithmetic and English at school, it is probable that they are already acquainted with these topics. However, it becomes very difficult when discussing things like verbal and nonverbal thinking. These tests measure critical thinking, which many kids between the ages of 10 and 11 still struggle with.

How can I help my child pass the 11 plus?

The examination is difficult to pass with a perfect score, particularly if you haven’t taken the exam in a long time or at all. Given that there is only one test chance each year, your child’s performance on the eleven-plus largely depends on high-quality and skilled assistance. Every parent wants to give their kid the greatest chance of passing the exam. Whether preparing at home or receiving tuition, there are several ways to get your kid ready and increase their knowledge before the selection test.

1)     11 plus online tuition

Online tuition is growing in popularity, and not simply in areas where it could be challenging to find an instructor due to location or competition. Due to their hectic home lives, many parents are too busy to plan a comprehensive routine for their kids. It’s often preferable to enlist a 11 Plus Tutor to handle the academic obligations. So instead of depending on the unproven knowledge of a local instructor, online tuition enables your kid to be paired with a tutor whose teaching approach is most closely fitted to their learning requirements.

In order for their child to profit from this system, parents may be asked to pay for their child to obtain online tuition.

2)      Get involved

Consider discussing with your kid how they overcame any obstacles at the conclusion of each revision for an eleven-plus exam, online learning course, or practice exam. You can also ask them to share their favorite memory.

3)     Create a routine and revision for 11 plus

Having well-defined routines can help your kid manage their workload and provide their best work while experiencing less stress. Talk about the days that will be reserved for revision, and schedule schoolwork and downtime accordingly.

4)     Use Online 11 Plus Resources

For preparation and revision, using 11 Plus online tuition is the best way to be ready for the exam. There are websites where kids may do revision for the test by practicing questions and answers.

5)      Regular Practice

Practice at home with your youngster. Encourage your kid to read often. Eleven-plus practice might be an hour or two every evening or simply on the weekends when they’re feeling rested, depending on their academic style.

What is the maximum 11+ score?

The nationwide average for this test is roughly 100 since the results are standardized. In certain places, the average might reach 111. The lowest and highest scores often fall in the range of 69 or 70 and 140 or 141, respectively. While it also relies on a number of other things, such as:

  • The outcomes from the previous year
  • The organization that conducts the test
  • The prerequisites of the school you want to attend.