Understanding the 11+ Entrance Exam Process: A Parent’s Guide
At Lambert Montague Education, we understand that the 11+ journey can feel overwhelming for both parents and children. With different schools following different admissions processes, test formats and timelines, knowing where to begin and how to prepare effectively can be challenging.
We are renowned specialists in the 11+ system with a proven track record of placing students at top institutions.
This guide is designed to help you understand the key stages of the 11+ process, what varies between schools, and how our holistic tutoring and consultancy approach supports every child as an individual.
What Is the 11+?
The 11+ is an entrance examination used by selective and independent schools to assess a child’s academic potential. While often associated with grammar schools, most independent and selective schools use their own versions of the exam, each with distinct formats and expectations.
Although the goal is the same; identifying academic readiness. The route to success differs significantly from school to school.
The Key Stages of the 11+ Journey:
1. Research and School Selection
Every child is unique and so is every school. The first stage is identifying which schools are the right fit academically, socially and emotionally. This includes understanding:
Entry requirements and age cut-offs
Exam boards or in-house assessments
Pass marks and ranking systems
Catchment areas and admissions policies
At Lambert Montague Education, we offer consultation sessions to help families map out a realistic and strategic shortlist of schools based on a child’s strengths, learning style and long-term goals.
2. Registration and Key Dates
Each school sets its own registration deadlines and exam dates. Missing a deadline can mean missing an opportunity, so careful planning is essential.
We help parents stay organised by creating personalised timelines, ensuring every important date, from registration to results day, is clearly mapped out.
3. The Assessment Stage
The content and structure of the 11+ varies widely between schools. Most assessments include a combination of:
English (comprehension, writing and spelling)
Mathematics (problem-solving and numerical reasoning)
Verbal Reasoning (logic, vocabulary and pattern recognition)
Non-Verbal or Spatial Reasoning (shapes, sequences and visual problem-solving)
Some schools use multiple-choice papers, while others include written responses, creative writing, or adaptive online testing.
Our tutoring is designed to be target-school specific, ensuring children are not just learning content, but learning how to succeed within the exact format they will be tested.
4. The interview Stage
Following formal assessment, many schools will invite prospective candidates for a 1-1 or group interview.
We provide interview practise sessions and help ease the nerves behind this aspect of the process to ensure your child feels ready to put their best foot forward for the final stage of the process.
