If your child is preparing for the 11 Plus (11+), one of the first questions you are likely to have is: What exactly do they need to learn?
The answer is slightly more complicated than simply following an “11+ syllabus”.
There is no single national 11+ exam or universal syllabus used by every grammar school. The subjects, question types, timings and test format can vary depending on the school, local authority and assessment provider. GL Assessment, one of the UK’s major 11+ test providers, states that tests may assess English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with some assessments also covering Spatial Reasoning.
That means successful 11+ preparation requires two things:
- A strong foundation in English and Maths
- Familiarity with reasoning and problem-solving questions that children may not regularly encounter at school
This guide breaks down the main areas parents should understand before starting 11+ preparation.
What Subjects Are in the 11 Plus?
Most 11+ assessments draw from some combination of:
- English
- Mathematics
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Spatial Reasoning
However, not every school tests every area. The exact combination should always be checked with the grammar school or local admissions authority your child is applying to.
At a glance
| Area | What it assesses |
|---|---|
| English | Reading, comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation |
| Mathematics | Number, arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, geometry, measures and problem-solving |
| Verbal Reasoning | Understanding and manipulating words, language and logical relationships |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Patterns, shapes, visual logic and problem-solving |
| Spatial Reasoning | Visualising, transforming and mentally manipulating shapes and objects |
Let’s look at each area in more detail.
1. 11 Plus Mathematics
The Mathematics section is generally based on mathematical knowledge children develop through primary school, but questions can require them to apply that knowledge quickly and logically.
GL Assessment’s 11+ materials include Maths alongside English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Key areas to prepare
Children may need confidence with:
- Number and place value
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
- Mental arithmetic
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Percentages
- Ratio and proportion
- Factors and multiples
- Prime numbers
- Measurement
- Money
- Time
- Perimeter, area and volume
- Angles
- 2D and 3D shapes
- Coordinates
- Data and graphs
- Sequences and patterns
- Problem-solving
The challenge is not always the mathematics itself.
A question may require a child to identify the relevant information, decide which mathematical operation to use and complete several steps within a strict time limit.
What makes 11+ Maths different?
A child can understand a mathematical concept but still struggle with an 11+ paper if they are unfamiliar with the way questions are presented.
For example, rather than asking a straightforward calculation, an exam may place the calculation inside a word problem or unfamiliar scenario.
This is why accuracy, reasoning and speed all matter.
2. 11 Plus English
English is another major area of 11+ preparation.
GL Assessment’s English practice materials specifically include comprehension, punctuation, spelling, word choice and grammar.
Reading Comprehension
Children may be given an unfamiliar passage and asked questions about what they have read.
Preparation should include:
- Finding information directly stated in a passage
- Making inferences
- Understanding meaning from context
- Identifying the main idea
- Understanding characters and events
- Identifying evidence
- Understanding vocabulary
- Recognising the meaning of phrases
- Drawing conclusions from the text
The ability to read carefully rather than simply read quickly is particularly important.
Grammar and Punctuation
Children should be comfortable identifying and using:
- Nouns
- Pronouns
- Verbs
- Adjectives
- Adverbs
- Conjunctions
- Prepositions
- Clauses
- Sentence structures
- Direct speech
- Apostrophes
- Commas
- Colons
- Semicolons
- Question and exclamation marks
Spelling and Vocabulary
Vocabulary can make a significant difference to performance, particularly in comprehension and verbal reasoning.
Useful areas include:
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Homophones
- Prefixes and suffixes
- Word meanings
- Spelling patterns
- Words in context
- Choosing the most appropriate word
A strong vocabulary can therefore support several parts of an 11+ assessment rather than English alone.
3. 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning (VR) is different from ordinary English comprehension.
Instead of simply testing whether a child can understand a passage, verbal reasoning questions can require them to identify relationships between words, letters, numbers and ideas.
The purpose is to assess how effectively a child can reason using language and information.
Common verbal reasoning question types
Depending on the assessment, children may encounter questions involving:
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Word relationships
- Analogies
- Letter sequences
- Number sequences
- Word codes
- Missing words
- Odd-one-out questions
- Word formation
- Rearranging letters
- Hidden words
- Logical relationships
- Vocabulary-based problems
The exact question types vary between tests, so preparation should be matched to the specific assessment format your child will take.
Why does Verbal Reasoning need practice?
Many children will not encounter these exact question formats during normal classroom lessons.
GL Assessment specifically recommends familiarisation with the style and format of 11+ questions, particularly for Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, because children may not have encountered these question types before.
4. 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) uses pictures, shapes, patterns and diagrams rather than relying primarily on written language.
It tests a child’s ability to identify relationships, recognise patterns and solve visual problems.
GL Assessment describes NVR as involving areas such as processing graphic information, following patterns and rules, spatial awareness, rotation, reflection, symmetry and logical problem-solving.
Common NVR skills
Children may practise:
- Identifying patterns
- Completing sequences
- Odd-one-out questions
- Shape analogies
- Matrices
- Shape transformations
- Rotation
- Reflection
- Symmetry
- Classification
- Codes
- Spatial relationships
For example, a child might be shown a sequence of shapes and asked to identify which option correctly completes the pattern.
The mathematics may be minimal, but the visual reasoning challenge can be substantial.
5. Spatial Reasoning
Spatial Reasoning is closely related to Non-Verbal Reasoning but focuses specifically on how children understand and manipulate objects and shapes in space.
Depending on the assessment, children may need to:
- Visualise rotations
- Recognise reflections
- Understand 2D and 3D shapes
- Identify how objects change when moved
- Interpret nets
- Understand spatial relationships
- Mentally manipulate shapes
Not every 11+ test includes a separate Spatial Reasoning section. GL Assessment lists Spatial Reasoning as one of the areas that can be included in its admissions assessments.
GL Assessment vs Other 11+ Test Formats
One of the biggest mistakes parents can make is assuming that every 11+ exam follows exactly the same format.
It doesn’t.
GL Assessment provides 11+ assessments covering areas including Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning, English and Maths. Its own guidance states that the exact combination of subjects, timings and number of questions can vary between areas and tests.
Other schools and admissions authorities may use different assessment providers or create their own arrangements.
What does this mean for parents?
Before buying practice books or starting intensive preparation, find out:
Which school is your child applying to?
Then check:
- Which assessment provider is used?
- Which subjects are tested?
- What question formats are included?
- How long are the papers?
- Are the questions multiple choice?
- Is there a separate answer sheet?
- When does the test take place?
- Are there specific familiarisation materials?
The school or local admissions authority should be your first source for the exact test requirements. GL Assessment also advises parents to contact the relevant admissions department when they need to confirm their local test format.
Is the 11 Plus Harder Than the Year 6 Curriculum?
Not necessarily in every subject.
A large part of 11+ preparation builds on knowledge children are already expected to develop during primary school.
The additional challenge often comes from:
- Unfamiliar question formats
- Time pressure
- Reasoning
- Complex problem-solving
- Vocabulary
- Working accurately at speed
- Switching between different types of questions
In other words, knowing the answer is only part of the challenge.
Children also need to know how to approach the question efficiently.
When Should You Start 11 Plus Preparation?
There is no single perfect starting age for every child.
The right preparation timeline depends on:
- The child’s current academic level
- The target schools
- The local test format
- Existing strengths and weaknesses
- How familiar the child is with reasoning questions
A sensible preparation programme should begin with understanding the assessment, followed by identifying strengths and gaps.
From there, preparation can gradually develop:
Foundation → Question Types → Timed Practice → Mock Tests → Exam Technique
The goal should not simply be to complete hundreds of practice papers.
It should be to help the child understand why an answer is correct, recognise question patterns and become increasingly confident under timed conditions.
How to Prepare for the 11 Plus
A well-rounded preparation plan can include:
1. Build strong foundations
Make sure your child is comfortable with core English and Maths concepts.
2. Introduce reasoning gradually
Start with untimed practice so your child understands how different reasoning questions work.
3. Develop vocabulary
Regular reading and vocabulary-building activities can support English and Verbal Reasoning preparation.
4. Practise under time limits
Once your child understands the question types, introduce timed exercises.
GL Assessment recommends practice under timed conditions to help children become familiar with managing their time during the test.
5. Review mistakes
Don’t just record the score.
Ask:
Why did the mistake happen?
Was it:
- Lack of knowledge?
- Misreading?
- Carelessness?
- Poor time management?
- An unfamiliar question type?
This makes practice much more useful.
6. Use realistic mock tests
As the exam approaches, full-length or realistic timed practice can help children become familiar with the pressure and structure of an assessment.
The 11 Plus Is More Than Just a Syllabus
The most important thing for parents to understand is that 11+ preparation isn’t simply about teaching more content.
A child may already know the mathematics required but struggle to solve an unfamiliar problem quickly.
They may have an excellent vocabulary but have never seen a verbal reasoning code question.
They may be confident readers but need practice extracting information from a demanding comprehension passage under time pressure.
That’s why effective preparation combines:
Knowledge + Reasoning + Practice + Accuracy + Timing + Confidence
And because the exact assessment varies, preparation should always begin by identifying the specific test your child will sit.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the 11 Plus
What subjects are tested in the 11 Plus?
It depends on the school and assessment. Common areas include English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and, in some assessments, Spatial Reasoning.
Is there one national 11+ syllabus?
No. The exact subjects, question types, timings and number of questions can vary between schools, local authorities and assessment providers.
Is Verbal Reasoning part of the school curriculum?
Verbal reasoning question formats are not necessarily taught as a separate subject in primary school. Children can therefore benefit from becoming familiar with the style and format before the test. GL Assessment specifically highlights familiarisation as useful for Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
What age do children take the 11 Plus?
The 11+ is generally associated with selection for secondary school at age 11, with children typically sitting the assessment during Year 6. Exact arrangements and dates vary by area and school.
How can I find out exactly what my child needs to prepare?
Check the admissions information for the grammar school or local authority your child is applying to. Confirm the assessment provider, subjects, format and timings before choosing preparation materials.
Final Takeaway
There is no single 11+ syllabus that applies to every child in the UK.
Instead, most 11+ preparation centres around a combination of English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and, in some assessments, Spatial Reasoning.
The best preparation starts by finding out exactly what your child’s target school tests, then building the knowledge, reasoning skills, accuracy, speed and confidence needed for that particular assessment.
With the right preparation strategy, the 11+ becomes much less about guessing what will appear and much more about helping your child become comfortable with the skills and question types they are likely to encounter.