Frequently Asked Questions

  • What do you get when you enrol your child on a course with Tutorsquared?

    • Regular assessment with a termly written report.

    • A parent teacher meeting on Zoom every term.

    • A complementary subscription to an online edtech platform that follows a bespoke learning journey for each child.

    • Weekly homework tasks.

    • All materials are provided.

    • Ongoing guidance and support for parents during the 11+ exam process.

  • The 11+ is not one single national exam — it’s a group of selective entrance assessments used by grammar and independent schools across the UK. The content, format and difficulty vary depending on the school and exam provider.

    It is used by:

    • Grammar schools – selective, state-funded schools that admit pupils based on academic ability

    • Selective independent (private) schools – fee-paying schools that use assessments as part of their admissions process

  • The exact format varies by school and exam board, but the main subject areas typically include:

    • English – comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, creative writing

    • Mathematics – arithmetic, problem-solving, reasoning.

    • Verbal Reasoning (VR) – logic and word-based problem solving

    • Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) – pattern recognition and spatial reasoning

    Some schools may also test:

    • Analysis or creative comprehension

    • Logic and puzzles

    • Problem solving

    • Interviews or group tasks

  • Not always. Some schools use shared tests:

    London 11+ Consortium: One exam is shared between several girls’ schools in London.

    ISEB Pre-Test: An online test used by many independent schools. Results help schools decide who progresses to interviews or further assessments.

  • Group tuition allows students to learn alongside a small group of peers, creating a supportive and motivating environment. During 11+ preparation, children benefit from healthy competition, shared problem-solving, and hearing different approaches to questions in subjects such as maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

    Individual tuition focuses on one student at a time and can be useful for addressing very specific areas of difficulty.

    For many children, small group 11+ tuition offers an effective balance of structured teaching, motivation and exam preparation. In our experience, many pupils find learning in a group both positive and enjoyable when preparing for the 11+.

    Ultimately, the most important factor is what works best for your family — 11+ tuition should support your child’s learning without adding unnecessary stress to family life.

  • Many children begin 11+ preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, giving them time to build confidence in key areas such as maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Starting earlier allows skills to develop gradually without placing too much pressure on the child.

    However, the right timing can vary depending on the individual child, the work they already complete at home, and the school they attend. For example, children in state schools are often less likely to be exposed to verbal and non-verbal reasoning as part of the regular curriculum.

    Some pupils benefit from beginning earlier, while others may need a shorter period of more focused preparation. The most important aim is to ensure that 11+ tuition supports steady progress and builds confidence, rather than creating unnecessary pressure.

  • Reading!

    No tutor, workbook, or online platform can replace the power of regular reading. It builds vocabulary, comprehension, and reasoning skills—all essential for 11+ success.

    Parents can boost progress by reading more challenging texts together, exploring new words and ideas, and discussing stories. Even 20–30 minutes a day can make a big difference in confidence, understanding, and exam readiness.

    Reading isn’t just important for academic success—it also has significant benefits for mental health. Engaging with books, stories, and articles can:

    • Reduce stress: Focusing on a story can lower cortisol levels and provide a relaxing escape from daily pressures.

    • Improve focus and mindfulness: Reading requires concentration, helping children and adults develop patience and attention.

    • Boost empathy and emotional understanding: Experiencing characters’ thoughts and feelings helps children understand different perspectives and manage their own emotions.

    Support emotional regulation: Reading can help children process complex feelings and build coping strategies.
    Enhance confidence and resilience: Regular reading develops problem-solving and critical thinking, which helps children feel more capable and self-assured.

  • IThese new 11+ tests focus on critical thinking and problem-solving, not memorised knowledge. Puzzles & Problem-Solving challenges children to use maths and logic to solve multi-step problems, spot patterns, and apply strategies. Creative Comprehension measures how well children can extract and combine information from different sources like texts, graphs, tables, or images, testing reasoning and creative thinking.

    How can parents help their child prepare for these tests?

    Preparation is about developing skills, not drilling facts. Word games like Scrabble and Wordle improve vocabulary, logic games like Chess and Cluedo build strategy, and hands-on activities like LEGO, tangrams, or puzzles enhance problem-solving. Reading widely, writing short stories, practising everyday maths, and visiting museums or galleries help children develop reasoning, observation, and creative thinking. Even short, regular sessions—20 minutes of play, a weekly word game, and a monthly museum trip—can make a big difference.

  • Verbal reasoning tests your child’s ability to reason and solve problems with written information. Some of the skills involved in verbal reasoning include:

    • Reading fluency

    • Reading comprehension

    • Vocabulary knowledge

    • Phonological awareness

    • Logic and problem-solving

    • Ability to discover and apply rules

    • Attention to detail

    Verbal reasoning can also involve solving problems with letters and numbers! However, for most questions, your child will need to show they understand the meanings of words and relationships between them. Having a wide vocabulary is useful for understanding these questions.

  • Non-verbal reasoning tests your child’s ability to solve problems using shapes, patterns, and visual information, rather than words. Skills involved include:

    • Recognising sequences and patterns

    • Visualising shapes and transformations

    • Spatial awareness

    • Logic and problem-solving

    • Attention to detail

    • Applying rules to new situations

    Non-verbal reasoning helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are useful across all subjects. Regular practice with shapes, puzzles, and diagrams can build confidence and speed in this part of the 11+ exam.