11+ maths exam preparation is essential if you are thinking about sending your child to either a private school or grammar school. The 11+ exam is a series of entrance exams designed to identify the most academically able students and normally consists of an English test, a maths test, and sometimes a Verbal Reasoning and/or Non-Verbal Reasoning test.

Most 11+ exams for independent schools take place between December and March, whilst most 11+ exams for grammar schools occur in September, although many were postponed because of the pandemic. For those considering taking the test in 2022, here is our guide to preparing for the 11+ maths exam.

What topics are on the 11+ maths exam?

The content of the Maths 11+ tends to follow that of the National Curriculum, and so it is important to check that your child is familiar with all of the following concepts: addition, multiplication, subtraction and division; fractions; decimals; time; area and perimeter; prime numbers and prime factors; averages; distance, speed and time; graphs and charts; calculating angles; reflection and rotation; percentages; simple ratio and probability; sequences and number patterns; nets of shapes and working out the volume of cubes and cuboids.

Many independent schools’ websites, such as the City of London School for Boys, also post helpful checklists of all the topics a student will need to be familiar with for the test. 

How do I find past papers for the 11+ maths exam?

This will depend on which schools you are applying for. For grammar schools, there are two main exam boards used: CEM (Durham University) and GL Assessment. It’s very important to check which exam board your chosen grammar school uses, as this will affect how you prepare your child. 11 Plus Guide has a great range of CEM resources; GL Assessment resources are more difficult to find, as they tend to only publish sample questions rather than past papers, but you can find some useful resources here.

Past papers for independent schools can be found on individual schools’ websites, but they can vary in availability. Some schools, such as Dulwich College, post multiple specimen papers online, whilst others, such as St Paul’s, include a syllabus but no specific past papers. Don’t be disheartened if you can’t find papers for your specific school though; most have similar question styles and test similar skills, and so practising exams from other academic schools is still a useful and worthwhile exercise.

This website has a helpful list of both grammar and independent school past papers if you are unsure where to start.

What is the structure of the 11+ maths exam?

This will vary from school to school, although on average most 11+ Maths exams are between 40 and 50 minutes long.

For those applying to grammar schools, there are some key differences between CEM and GL papers worth noting. Firstly, GL papers tend to be a mixture of multiple-choice and standard format questions, and tend to be a little shorter, with students being asked around 40 questions.

For CEM, students are asked a combination of Maths and non-verbal reasoning questions, and therefore the paper is split into different sections: for example a Maths question, some puzzles, and a problem-solving activity. Each section has its own allocated time, and so time management is key.

What is the pass mark for the 11+ maths exam?

For grammar schools, this will depend on what local educational authority (LEA) you take the test in, as each region has its own pass mark. Regions with lots of grammar schools (for example, Buckinghamshire and Kent) tend to have a lower pass mark than regions with fewer grammar schools (for example, Greater London). 

For independent schools, this is more complicated. Most private schools rank students’ abilities and then offer places to a certain number of students, and therefore the pass rate will vary year to year depending on the strength of the cohort applying.

However, as a general rule students should be aiming to score over 75%, or over 85% if they are applying for more competitive grammar schools or independent school scholarships and bursaries.

How can I best prepare my child for the 11+ maths exam?

Once you know the exam board your child is sitting if applying for grammar school, then a good place to start is buying a few CGP and Bond books to help familiarise your child with the different question styles. There are two key advantages to using these books: firstly, they include mark schemes (which many online practice papers don’t), and secondly, they offer a variety of different exercises which can fit around your students’ schedule – for example, both sell a 10-minute tests booklet for fun, bite-sized revision.

Our online maths tuition is also a safe, successful and cost-effective way of preparing students for the 11+. Remote learning is becoming increasingly popular as parents appreciate the greater flexibility; there is no need to travel and pupils can have access to excellent, engaging tutors regardless of their location. Our tutors have extensive experience of preparing students for the 11+ exams and our variety of courses means that we have something suited for every age and ability. Our small group format also enables students to build up their confidence in a less intimidating environment, whilst also developing their social skills in a fun, friendly and supportive way.

If you have any further questions about how we can help you prepare for the 11+ exam, feel free to contact us and we would be more than happy to help.

Looking for more online maths resources?

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Read more:

11+ Exam: Our Top 10 Tips to Pass

Do I Need a Tutor to Pass the 11+ Exam?

11+ Exam: What age Should you Start Preparing Your Child?