As a parent, you want your child to feel confident and prepared for the 11+ exam day. Understanding the exam conditions and knowing what to expect on the day can help ease any anxieties and ensure a smooth experience for your child.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this important 11+ exam day.
Understanding the 11+ Exam
The 11+ exam assesses students in Year 6 on subjects like English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-verbal Reasoning. The format varies depending on the region and the exam board, such as CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) or GL (Granada Learning). For the West Midlands Partnership of Schools, the GL Assessment is used for all 19 Grammar Schools across the West Midlands.
Making sure your child is prepared through either 11+ exam GL books or tutoring, can go a long way for their confidence on 11+ exam day.
Pre-Exam Preparation
How can you help your child prepare for the big day?
Let’s delve into some of our top tips for the road ahead.
Each exam board has its own structure and question types. Firstly, make sure your child understands the format they will face, whether it’s CEM or GL. This knowledge will help focus their study efforts.
Secondly, encourage your child to regularly work on practice papers under timed conditions. This practice will help them become comfortable with the types of questions and the time pressure, building their confidence and improving their time management skills.
Finally, ensure your child is not only studying but also getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and staying active. A balanced routine keeps their mind sharp and their body energised.
The Big Day: What to Expect
So, it’s now the big 11+ exam day and you are keen to make sure your child knows as much as they can about the structure and arrangements for the day ahead. Let’s have a look at some of the key information.
Early Arrival and Registration:
Plan to arrive early to avoid any last-minute stress. Upon arrival, the staff will check in your child and direct them to their examination room.
Seating and Setup:
The invigilators will seat your child in rows or at individual desks, ensuring enough spacing to maintain exam integrity. It’s a quiet, focused environment, ideal for concentrating on their work.
Clear Instructions:
Invigilators will provide clear instructions on the rules, how to fill out the answer sheets, and the timings for each section. Encourage your child to listen carefully to these instructions to avoid any misunderstandings. If they are unsure which questions are included in each of the sections, they MUST ask their invigilator. It is better to ask than miss out on questions because of uncertainty.
Exam Materials:
Make sure your child brings their own stationery, including two HB pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener, all kept in a clear pencil case or a clear food bag/zip lock bag. Other items like rulers or highlighters are not permitted. While a small supply of spare stationery will be available in each room, it’s best for your child to have their own.
Timed Sections with Audio Instructions:
The audio CD delivers the test instructions, example questions, practice questions, and timings. Before each section begins, the CD informs your child of the allotted time. They can only work on the current section and cannot go back to previous sections or move ahead until instructed. In sections longer than five minutes, the audio CD will notify them when five minutes are remaining.
Comfort Break:
There is a short comfort break between the two test papers. Your child can bring light refreshments for this break, but avoid sending nuts, nut-based products, chewing gum, and fizzy drinks.
No Personal Timers Allowed:
Watches, timers, or stop clocks of any kind are not permitted in the exam room.
Electronic Devices Prohibited:
Mobile phones, calculators, smart watches, tablets, and iPods are not allowed in or around the test rooms. Any failure to comply with this rule may lead to disqualification.
No School Uniform Required:
Your child doesn’t need to wear their school uniform on test day. We would recommend they wear something comfortable instead, however, if they prefer to wear their uniform, they can also do so.
Parents/Carers:
Unfortunately, parents and carers cannot wait on-site during the test.
Toilet Facilities:
Your child can use the toilet facilities before the test and during the break. If they need to go during the test, any time spent away from the room is lost, so encourage them to use the bathroom during the designated times.
Answer Sheets:
The question booklets have space for working out, but rough/scrap paper is not allowed. Only the separate answer sheets are marked, so it’s important for your child to know how to fill these out correctly.
Importantly, most of these tips are based on the information released by the West Midlands Partnership themselves. If you want to find out more, click here.
Final Thoughts
As a parent, you play a crucial role in supporting your child through the 11+ exam process. By understanding the exam conditions and preparing accordingly, you can help reduce any anxieties and set your child up for success. Encourage your child to stay calm, focused, and positive on the big day.
With the right preparation and mindset, they can approach the exam with confidence.
Good luck to your child on their 11+ journey!
