The Ultimate 11+ Preparation Timeline & Planner
A strategic, month-by-month plan to guide your family through the 11+ process without stress. Know what to focus on, and when, from Year 4 to the Year 6 exam day.
Start with an AI-Powered PlanYour Month-by-Month 11+ Journey
Success in the 11+ is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this timeline to ensure your child is prepared, confident, and avoids burnout.
Year 4: The Foundation Stage
September - December
Focus on broad learning, not formal 11+ prep. Encourage reading a wide variety of books to expand vocabulary and comprehension. Master times tables and practice mental maths. The goal is to build core skills in a fun, low-pressure way.
January - August
Start initial research into grammar and independent schools. Use tools like a Catchment Checker to see what's realistic. Introduce some basic logic puzzles and non-verbal reasoning games to see if your child enjoys them.
Year 5: The Core Preparation Stage
September - December
Begin structured and consistent practice. This is the ideal time to start with an adaptive learning tool like the Spiral Learning app. It will assess their level and create a personalized plan. Aim for 2-3 focused sessions per week, covering all four 11+ subjects.
January - April
Systematically cover all 11+ topics (Maths, English, VR, NVR). Use analytics to identify and address weaker areas. Introduce timed practice on individual topic sections to build speed and accuracy. This is a crucial period for knowledge building.
May - July
Registration month! Register for the 11+ exam via your local council or consortium website. Shift the focus of prep towards practicing with full mock exams. This helps build stamina, timing, and exam technique. Review every mistake carefully.
August
The month for consolidation. Intensify mock exam practice but ensure there is a healthy balance with rest and fun activities to prevent burnout. Focus on reviewing tricky topics rather than learning new concepts. Finalize all admin using an 11+ checklist.
Year 6: The Final Stage
September
Exam Month! Wind down the heavy revision. The work has been done. Focus on light, confidence-boosting exercises and quick reviews of notes. The most important thing now is that your child is well-rested, relaxed, and mentally ready. A calm mind performs best.
October
Results are typically released mid-October. Use your mock test scores in the meantime to manage expectations. Once you have the results, submit your Common Application Form (CAF) with your final school preferences. The national deadline is usually October 31st.
How a Clear Timeline Helped
Hear from parents who used a structured plan to navigate the 11+ process.
"Having a timeline took all the guesswork out of it. We knew exactly what to focus on in Year 5, which stopped us from panicking. It made the whole process feel manageable."
"Starting the 'fun' prep in Year 4 was the best advice. By the time we got to formal revision in Year 5, my daughter's core skills were already strong, and she felt confident."
"The shift to mock exams in the summer of Year 5 was a game-changer. The timeline told us exactly when to do it, and it really prepared our son for the pace of the real thing."
Your Timeline Questions Answered
Common questions about planning your 11+ preparation journey.
The ideal time to start structured 11+ preparation is at the beginning of Year 5. Before that, in Year 4, the focus should be on building strong foundational skills in reading, writing, and maths without the pressure of formal revision.
Year 4 is not too early to start building the 'scaffolding' for success. It is the perfect time to encourage a love of reading, master times tables, and play with puzzles and logic games. However, formal, timed practice is best left until Year 5 to avoid burnout.
If you are starting later in Year 5, don't panic. The key is to be efficient. Use an adaptive learning tool to quickly diagnose your child's weak areas and create a focused plan. Prioritize core topics first and introduce mock exams as soon as possible to get a baseline.
Quality is more important than quantity. In Year 5, aim for 2-4 focused sessions of 30-45 minutes each week. This is more effective than cramming for hours at the weekend. Consistency is the most important factor for long-term retention and success.
The focus should shift over time. In the first half of Year 5, prioritize topic-by-topic practice to build knowledge. From Easter of Year 5 onwards, the emphasis should gradually move towards full mock exams to build stamina, timing, and exam technique, while still using topic practice to fix weaknesses identified in mocks.
Take the Guesswork Out of Your 11+ Plan
Our AI-powered app manages your child's learning plan for you, adapting every step of the way. Follow the timeline with the best tool for the job.
Try Our Free 11+ App Today