Top Resources for 11 Plus Exam Preparation

Heard the term ‘11 Plus’ and felt a wave of confusion? You’re not alone. Navigating the world of grammar school exams can feel like a maze of unfamiliar terms, competing advice from other parents, and a general sense of urgency. This guide is designed to be your clear and simple map, cutting through the noise to provide a confident starting point.

The choice itself can be overwhelming: does your child need a tutor, an online subscription, or a stack of workbooks? To help you decide how to prepare for the 11 plus at home, we’ve broken down the top resources into clear categories. We’ll explain who each one is best for, so you can invest your time and money wisely.

Ultimately, effective 11 plus exam preparation isn't about buying every book on the shelf. It’s about building a plan that gives both you and your child a sense of control and preparedness. Let's walk through the options together and find the right first step for your family.

Your Most Important First Step: GL or CEM?

Before you spend a single penny on workbooks or practice papers, there’s one crucial detail you must confirm. Different grammar schools use different exam providers, and preparing for the wrong one is the most common and costly mistake parents make. Getting this right from the start saves you time, money, and a great deal of stress.

The two main "brands" behind the 11 Plus are GL Assessment and CEM. The easiest way to think about them is in how they structure their tests. GL exams typically test subjects in separate, clearly defined papers—one for Maths, one for English, and so on. In contrast, CEM-style papers often mix different subjects and skills together, putting a greater emphasis on time management and moving quickly between question types.

So, how do you find out which one your child will sit? It's simpler than you might think. Go directly to the admissions section on the website of your target grammar school (or schools). They are required to state which exam provider they use. This single piece of information will guide every decision you make about which GL assessment 11 plus practice materials or other resources to use.

Knowing whether your child faces a GL or CEM test is the key to effective preparation. It ensures your child practises with the right format and focus, building their confidence with materials that accurately reflect the real exam.

What Does the 11 Plus Actually Test? A Simple Breakdown

With your child's exam type confirmed, let's look at what's actually inside the test. The 11 Plus covers four core subjects, but two of them will likely be new territory compared to your child’s day-to-day schoolwork. Understanding these upfront helps you target your preparation effectively from the very beginning.

Generally, the exam content breaks down into these key areas:

• English: Goes beyond basics to test advanced comprehension, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

• Maths: Focuses on strong arithmetic skills and clever 11 plus maths problem solving techniques.

• Verbal Reasoning (VR): Word-based puzzles that test logic and language relationships.

• Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR): Shape and pattern-based puzzles that work like visual code-breaking.

While English and Maths are familiar, it’s the reasoning papers that often cause the most confusion for families. The best way to think of verbal reasoning is as a mix between a crossword and a logic problem—it’s all about solving challenges with words. In contrast, Non-Verbal Reasoning tests the exact same problem-solving muscle but uses shapes, patterns, and figures instead, making it independent of vocabulary skills.

This intense focus on reasoning is the single biggest difference between the 11 Plus and the standard school curriculum. It’s also why a whole world of support materials exists to bridge that gap.

Online Platforms: Are They Worth the Investment?

While workbooks have been the go-to for generations, the best 11 plus online resources offer something traditional books can’t: dynamic, personalised practice. Their main advantage is ‘adaptive learning’ technology. Think of it as a digital tutor that automatically adjusts the difficulty of questions based on your child’s live performance. If they’re struggling with a maths concept, the platform offers more support; if they’re flying through, it presents a new challenge. This instant feedback loop prevents a child from practising a skill incorrectly or getting bored.

For a child motivated by screen time, these platforms can be a game-changer. They use ‘gamification’—earning points, unlocking levels, and seeing progress on a dashboard—to make rigorous practice feel more engaging. This approach is often a welcome alternative to a thick, intimidating workbook and can be highly effective for children who thrive on visible rewards and a sense of competition. This makes them a strong contender when weighing up 11 plus tutors vs online platforms for motivating a reluctant learner.

Ultimately, the top platforms like Atom Learning and The Tutoress (which has integrated BOFA) are considered among the best 11 plus online tuition providers because they offer a comprehensive, trackable, and engaging curriculum. However, they aren’t a magic bullet. Many parents find they deliver the best results when used alongside focused, offline practice to build exam-room stamina and handwriting skills.

Workbooks & Practice Papers: The Foundation of 11 Plus Prep

For focused, offline practice, nothing beats a good old-fashioned workbook. The key, however, is knowing which type to use and when. Think of it like learning to play an instrument: first, you use a topic workbook to practice the scales and learn the theory. Only after that do you use a timed practice paper to perform a full piece under pressure. This builds skill first, then tests stamina, preventing your child from feeling overwhelmed by jumping straight into a difficult mock exam.

Navigating the CGP vs Bond 11 plus papers choice is simpler than it seems, as both are among the best 11 plus books for grammar schools. CGP's strength lies in its colourful, step-by-step guides with clear explanations, making it ideal for introducing a new topic. In contrast, Bond offers a more traditional, no-frills format, providing a huge volume of questions that are perfect for reinforcing a concept once it has been understood and your child needs extensive practice.

A proven strategy is to use topic workbooks early on to build foundational knowledge. This is crucial for subjects like English, where books with 11 plus creative writing examples and tips can demystify the task. Then, as the exam date approaches, you can shift to timed mock papers. These replicate the real test environment, helping your child manage their time effectively and exposing any gaps that might need extra attention.

When to Consider a Tutor: A Realistic Guide

The big question many parents ask is, “Is a tutor necessary for the 11 Plus?” The honest answer is that for many children, it isn’t. While workbooks build knowledge and online platforms offer excellent practice, they rely on a child being a self-motivated learner. A tutor steps in when that independent approach isn't quite enough, offering a completely different kind of support that is focused on personalised guidance.

A tutor’s real value often lies beyond simply covering the syllabus. They are experts in exam technique, teaching your child how to approach the test—from decoding tricky questions to managing the clock. In the debate of 11 plus tutors vs online platforms, this live, personalised feedback is the key difference. A tutor also provides valuable external accountability; for some children, a weekly appointment with an expert is far more motivating than a parent's encouragement, which helps keep preparation on track without causing friction at home.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your child's specific needs. If they are disciplined and progressing well with books and online tools, you may not need one. But if you see persistent knowledge gaps, notice they're struggling under time pressure, or find that practice is becoming a source of family stress, a tutor’s targeted support can be transformative. It’s a significant investment, however, so it's worth exploring all the effective, low-cost alternatives first.

The Best Kept Secret: High-Value, No-Cost 11 Plus Resources

Some of the most effective preparation materials are completely free. Your first port of call should always be the website of your target grammar school or its consortium. Here, you’ll often find official familiarisation papers—the closest thing to a blueprint of the real exam you can get. These are invaluable as they show your child the exact format and style of questions they will face on the day.

Beyond full practice papers, you can build essential skills without cost. Instead of buying generic 11 plus vocabulary flashcards, encourage your child to keep a dedicated notebook. Every time they encounter a new word while reading, they can jot it down with its meaning. This personalised approach is far more engaging and helps vocabulary stick. It’s a simple but powerful strategy for how to prepare for the 11 plus at home.

Using these free resources first is the smartest way to begin. They allow you to "test the waters" and see where your child might need more support before you commit to purchasing books or subscriptions.

Your free-resource checklist to start with:

• School Websites: For official familiarisation or sample papers.

• Publisher Websites: For free sample chapters from popular workbooks.

• A Simple Notebook: For building a personal vocabulary log from reading.

Your 11 Plus Action Plan: The First 3 Steps to Take Today

Navigating the world of 11 plus exam preparation no longer has to feel overwhelming. You've moved from hearing confusing advice to understanding the landscape of resources, empowering you to make a clear, confident choice for your child.

Your First 3 Steps

1. Find Your Exam Board: Check the websites of your 1-2 target grammar schools.

2. Get a Baseline: Use a free familiarisation paper to see your child's starting point.

3. Choose ONE Starting Resource: Based on the baseline, pick one type: an online platform for engagement, or a workbook for a specific subject.

Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. This isn't a race to use every resource, but a journey to build skills and confidence—for both you and your child. You’ve already taken the most difficult step by getting informed. Now, you’re ready for the next one.