How Many Hours a Week for 11+ Preparation?
Preparing for the 11+ can feel overwhelming for parents, especially when it comes to knowing how much practice your child actually needs. Our complete guide to 11+ preparation covers the key areas children need to develop, but knowing how much time to dedicate each week is just as important. Too little preparation may leave gaps in their knowledge, while too much can make revision feel stressful and difficult to maintain.
So, how many hours a week should your child spend preparing for the 11+? In this guide, we explain how 11+ preparation hours per week can vary by year group, what children should focus on each week, and how to create a balanced routine that supports steady progress without overwhelming them.
Page Contents
11+ Preparation Hours by Year Group
Year 3: Build the Foundations
In Year 3, 11+ preparation should focus on building strong foundations rather than intensive exam practice. Children can develop their core Maths, English and reasoning skills through short, regular sessions that feel manageable and engaging.
Aim for around 1–2 hours of 11+ preparation per week, spread across several shorter sessions. Focus on areas such as mental maths, problem-solving, vocabulary, reading comprehension and basic verbal and non-verbal reasoning. The goal is to build confidence and identify any areas that may need extra support before more structured 11+ preparation begins in Year 4.
Year 4: Start Structured Practice
Year 4 is a good time to introduce more structured 11+ preparation while keeping practice balanced with your child’s normal schoolwork. At this stage, the focus should be on strengthening core skills and gradually becoming familiar with the types of questions they may face in the 11+.
Aim for around 2–3 hours of 11+ preparation per week, spread across several shorter sessions. Focus on Maths problem-solving, English comprehension and vocabulary, and verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Regular practice can help identify weaker areas early, giving your child plenty of time to build their skills before the more intensive preparation of Year 5.
Year 5: Increase Exam Preparation
Year 5 is when 11+ preparation can become more structured and exam-focused. Children should continue strengthening their core Maths, English and reasoning skills while becoming more familiar with timed questions, mixed-topic practice and exam-style problem solving.
A typical target is around 3–5 hours of 11+ preparation per week, depending on your child’s ability, target schools and how close they are to the entrance exams. Rather than completing long revision sessions, spread practice across the week and gradually introduce more timed work as your child becomes confident.
| Area | What to focus on in Year 5 | Example practice |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | Problem solving, fractions, decimals, percentages and multi-step questions | Timed topic questions |
| English | Comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and writing skills | Reading + comprehension |
| Verbal Reasoning | Vocabulary, word relationships and logic | Short timed VR sets |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Patterns, sequences and spatial reasoning | Mixed NVR questions |
| Exam Skills | Speed, accuracy and question selection | Timed mixed papers |
How Much Should Year 5 11+ Practice Increase?
The aim is not simply to increase the number of hours. As Year 5 progresses, practice should become more targeted. Use mistakes and assessment results to identify weaker areas, then spend more time on those topics rather than repeating skills your child has already mastered.
Quick answer: Most children can work towards 3–5 hours per week in Year 5, with the balance gradually shifting from learning individual skills towards mixed, timed and exam-style practice.
This approach gives children time to build the knowledge they need while also developing the speed, accuracy and confidence required for competitive 11+ entrance exams.
Year 6: Focus on Exam Readiness
By Year 6, 11+ preparation should focus on exam readiness rather than simply learning new content. Children should be consolidating the skills they have developed, improving their speed and accuracy, and becoming comfortable with the format and time pressure of their target entrance exams.
A typical target is around 4–6 hours of 11+ preparation per week, although this can vary depending on the child and the schools they are applying to. Practice should include timed questions, full or partial mock papers and targeted revision based on mistakes.
| Area | What to focus on in Year 6 | Example practice |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | Mixed topics, problem solving and accuracy | Timed Maths papers |
| English | Comprehension, vocabulary and grammar | Timed comprehension |
| Verbal Reasoning | Speed, vocabulary and question techniques | Timed VR sets |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Pattern recognition and speed | Mixed NVR papers |
| Exam Technique | Timing, accuracy and checking answers | Full mock exams |
What Should Year 6 11+ Preparation Look Like?
| Preparation stage | Main focus |
|---|---|
| Early Year 6 | Identify remaining gaps and consolidate key skills |
| Mid Year 6 | Increase timed practice and complete mixed-topic papers |
| Before the exam | Focus on exam technique, confidence and targeted revision |
Quick answer: Around 4–6 hours per week can provide a useful framework for Year 6 11+ preparation, but the quality and relevance of practice matter more than simply counting hours.
The aim is to make exam conditions increasingly familiar while avoiding unnecessary repetition. Reviewing mistakes after each practice session can help children understand where they are losing marks and what they should focus on next.
What Should Children Practise Each Week?
How Much Maths Practice?
Maths should be a regular part of 11+ preparation, but the amount of practice should increase gradually as your child moves through the school years. The focus should be on building strong foundations first, then developing problem-solving, accuracy and speed as the exam approaches.
| Year Group | Recommended Maths Practice | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Year 3 | 30–45 minutes per week | Mental maths, number skills and basic problem solving |
| Year 4 | 45–60 minutes per week | Core topics, reasoning and applying methods |
| Year 5 | 1–2 hours per week | Multi-step problems, mixed topics and timed questions |
| Year 6 | 1.5–2.5 hours per week | Exam-style questions, speed, accuracy and targeted revision |
Quick answer: Children should generally aim for around 30 minutes to 2.5 hours of Maths practice per week, depending on their year group and preparation stage.
The most effective approach is usually to divide this time into short, regular sessions rather than completing one long revision session. For example, a Year 5 child could complete three 30-minute sessions covering different Maths topics throughout the week.
What Should 11+ Maths Practice Include?
| Practice Type | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Core Maths skills | Builds the foundations needed for harder questions |
| Problem solving | Develops the ability to apply Maths in unfamiliar situations |
| Reasoning | Helps children explain and identify the correct method |
| Timed questions | Builds speed and accuracy under pressure |
| Mixed-topic practice | Helps children switch between different question types |
| Mistake review | Identifies gaps and prevents repeated errors |
Rather than measuring progress by the number of questions completed, parents should look at accuracy, understanding and the types of mistakes being made. If your child repeatedly struggles with a particular topic, targeted practice can be more useful than simply increasing their total revision time.
How Much English Practice?
English practice should be a regular part of 11+ preparation, with a focus on reading, vocabulary, comprehension, grammar and understanding how to approach different question types. As children progress through the year groups, practice can gradually become more structured and timed.
| Year Group | Recommended English Practice | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Year 3 | 30–45 minutes per week | Reading, vocabulary and comprehension |
| Year 4 | 45–60 minutes per week | Vocabulary, grammar and comprehension |
| Year 5 | 1–2 hours per week | Comprehension, vocabulary and timed questions |
| Year 6 | 1.5–2.5 hours per week | Exam-style questions, speed and accuracy |
Quick answer: Aim for around 30 minutes to 2.5 hours of English practice per week, depending on your child’s year group and preparation stage.
What Should 11+ English Practice Include?
| Practice Type | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Reading | Builds comprehension and exposes children to new vocabulary |
| Vocabulary | Develops understanding of unfamiliar words and meanings |
| Comprehension | Builds the ability to find, interpret and infer information |
| Grammar | Strengthens accuracy and understanding of sentence structure |
| Timed questions | Develops speed and accuracy for exam conditions |
| Mistake review | Identifies gaps and helps prevent repeated errors |
Regular reading should sit alongside structured practice. Rather than simply increasing the number of questions, focus on whether your child understands why an answer is correct and can apply the skill to a different question. This makes practice more useful as they move towards Year 5 and Year 6 exam preparation.
How Much Reasoning Practice?
Reasoning practice should be introduced gradually as part of 11+ preparation. The aim is to help children become familiar with verbal and non-verbal reasoning question types, while developing the speed and accuracy needed to solve unfamiliar problems.
Quick answer: Around 30–45 minutes of reasoning practice per week in Year 3, increasing to around 1–2 hours per week by Year 5 and Year 6, depending on your child’s preparation stage and target exam.
In the earlier years, focus on learning how different reasoning questions work rather than completing large numbers of timed papers. As children move into Year 5, practice can become more structured, with mixed question sets and timed exercises.
By Year 6, reasoning practice should focus on speed, accuracy and exam technique. Reviewing mistakes is particularly important because it helps identify whether a child is struggling with a specific question type, working too slowly or making avoidable errors.
How to Create an 11+ Weekly Schedule
A consistent weekly schedule can make 11+ preparation easier to manage without allowing revision to take over your child’s free time. The key is to spread practice across the week and balance Maths, English and reasoning rather than trying to cover everything in one session.
Keep Sessions Short and Regular
Short sessions are often easier for children to manage than long revision blocks. For example, a 30–45 minute session can focus on one specific skill or topic, followed by a short break.
A simple weekly routine could include:
- 2 Maths sessions — core skills, problem solving or exam-style questions
- 1–2 English sessions — reading, vocabulary or comprehension
- 1 reasoning session — verbal or non-verbal reasoning
- 1 mixed or timed session — particularly useful from Year 5 onwards
- Regular reading — encourage reading outside formal 11+ practice
Adjust the Schedule by Year Group
The amount of practice should increase gradually rather than starting with a demanding timetable.
Year 3: Focus on building foundations through short, enjoyable sessions.
Year 4: Introduce more structured practice and begin identifying weaker areas.
Year 5: Increase the amount of exam-style and timed practice, while continuing to work on knowledge gaps.
Year 6: Focus on exam readiness, including timed papers, mixed questions and targeted revision.
Quick answer: A good 11+ weekly schedule should be consistent, balanced and age-appropriate. The exact number of hours matters less than making sure your child is practising the right skills and reviewing their mistakes.
Most importantly, leave time for schoolwork, hobbies, exercise and relaxation. Effective 11+ preparation should support your child’s progress without making every day feel like revision.
Signs Your Child Needs More Practice
Not every child needs more 11+ practice simply because they find a question difficult. Occasional mistakes are a normal part of learning. Instead, look for consistent patterns that suggest your child needs more time with a particular skill or topic.
Some common signs include:
- The same mistakes keep appearing even after your child has practised the topic.
- They struggle to complete questions within the expected time, despite understanding the method.
- They avoid certain topics, such as fractions, comprehension or reasoning questions.
- They find unfamiliar questions difficult even when they understand the underlying skill.
- Their accuracy drops when questions are timed or when several topics are mixed together.
- They struggle to explain their method, suggesting they may be relying on memorised procedures rather than understanding.
- Practice results are inconsistent, with large differences between similar question sets.
What Should You Do If Your Child Is Struggling?
Start by identifying what type of problem they are having. A child who understands a Maths topic but works slowly needs a different approach from a child who does not understand the underlying concept.
Instead of simply increasing the number of hours, use mistakes to decide what to practise next. Short, targeted sessions can be more effective than adding extra revision across the entire week.
Quick answer: If your child repeatedly makes the same mistakes, struggles with timing or has clear gaps in particular areas, they may benefit from more targeted 11+ practice. The goal should be to address the specific weakness rather than simply increasing overall study time.
When Is 11+ Preparation Too Much?
More 11+ practice does not always mean better preparation. Children need enough time to learn and practise key skills, but they also need time for schoolwork, hobbies, friends, exercise and relaxation.
Signs that preparation may be becoming too much include:
- Your child regularly feels tired or frustrated during practice.
- They are losing interest in activities they normally enjoy.
- Revision is taking time away from schoolwork, sleep or family time.
- They are completing lots of questions but not retaining what they have learned.
- Practice is causing unnecessary pressure or arguments at home.
- You are increasing the hours without seeing meaningful improvement.
How Much 11+ Practice Is Too Much?
There is no single number of hours that is right for every child. The appropriate amount depends on their age, current ability, target schools and stage of preparation.
If your child is already performing well, increasing practice may not be necessary. Instead, use their mistakes and progress to identify specific areas that need attention.
Quick answer: 11+ preparation may be too much when additional practice is no longer helping your child learn effectively or is consistently affecting their wellbeing, schoolwork, sleep or enjoyment of everyday activities.
The aim should be effective preparation, not maximum preparation. A balanced routine with focused practice and sufficient downtime is more sustainable over the long term.
How to Make 11+ Practice More Effective
When Should You Increase Practice?
There is no need to increase 11+ practice simply because your child moves into a new school year. Increase the amount or difficulty of practice when your child is ready for the next stage of preparation or when their progress shows that additional support is needed.
Good reasons to increase practice include:
- Your child is consistently completing their current work accurately and needs a greater challenge.
- A particular topic remains a weakness despite regular practice.
- They need to improve speed while maintaining accuracy.
- The entrance exam is getting closer, so more timed and exam-style practice is appropriate.
- They have moved from learning individual skills to applying them across mixed questions.
Quick answer: Increase practice gradually when your child has mastered their current level, has specific gaps to address, or is moving closer to their 11+ exam.
Avoid increasing hours simply for the sake of doing more. Targeted practice based on your child’s mistakes and progress is usually more useful than adding extra revision across every subject.
How to Review Mistakes
Reviewing mistakes is one of the most useful parts of 11+ preparation because it helps children understand why they lost marks, rather than simply moving on to the next set of questions.
After each practice session, look at the questions your child got wrong and identify the reason for the mistake. Was it a knowledge gap, a misunderstanding of the question, a calculation error or simply running out of time?
A simple approach is:
- Identify the mistake — find the exact question or skill that caused difficulty.
- Understand why it happened — ask your child to explain their thinking.
- Correct the method — work through the question together without immediately giving them the answer.
- Try a similar question — check whether they can apply the method independently.
- Revisit it later — return to the topic after a few days to make sure the learning has stuck.
Quick answer: Don’t just count how many questions your child gets wrong. Use mistakes to identify specific skills or question types that need more practice.
Keeping a simple record of recurring mistakes can also help you decide where to focus the next week’s preparation, rather than increasing the overall number of revision hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11+ Preparation
How many hours a week should my child spend preparing for the 11+?
The recommended amount of preparation depends on your child’s year group, current ability and stage of preparation. As a general guide, preparation can increase from around 1–2 hours per week in Year 3 to around 4–6 hours per week in Year 6.
The quality of practice is more important than simply increasing the number of hours. Focus on the areas where your child needs the most support.
When should my child start 11+ preparation?
There is no single starting point that works for every child. Year 3 can be used to build strong foundations, with more structured preparation introduced in Year 4. Year 5 can then become more exam-focused, with Year 6 concentrating on exam readiness.
How much Maths should my child practise for the 11+?
Maths should be practised regularly throughout the week. The focus should progress from core skills and problem solving to mixed-topic, timed and exam-style questions as the exam approaches.
How much English practice is needed for the 11+?
English preparation should include reading, vocabulary, comprehension and grammar. Regular reading alongside structured practice can help children develop the skills needed to understand and answer increasingly challenging questions.
How much reasoning practice should my child do?
Reasoning practice should gradually increase as your child becomes familiar with different verbal and non-verbal reasoning question types. Earlier preparation should focus on understanding question types, while later practice can place greater emphasis on speed and accuracy.
Should 11+ practice be timed?
Timed practice becomes increasingly useful as the exam approaches. However, children should first understand how to solve a question correctly before focusing heavily on speed. Once the underlying skill is secure, timed questions can help develop accuracy and exam technique.
What if my child keeps making the same mistakes?
Repeated mistakes can indicate a specific knowledge gap or misunderstanding. Rather than simply increasing the amount of revision, identify why the mistake is happening, revisit the skill and then give your child a similar question to complete independently.
Is it possible to do too much 11+ preparation?
Yes. More practice is not automatically more effective. Children also need time for schoolwork, hobbies, exercise, friends and relaxation. If additional preparation is causing persistent tiredness, frustration or pressure, consider reducing the workload and making practice more targeted.
What is the best way to prepare for the 11+?
A balanced approach combines regular practice, targeted revision, mistake review and gradually increasing exam-style preparation. The exact schedule should reflect your child’s year group, current ability and the requirements of their target schools.
