Grammar School Revision Plan: A Parent’s Guide for 2026
A well-structured grammar school revision plan can make preparing for the 11+ entrance examination feel more organised and far less stressful. Rather than trying to revise everything at once, a clear revision plan helps children build their knowledge gradually, strengthen weaker areas and develop the confidence needed to perform well on exam day.
This guide explains how to create an effective grammar school revision plan, including when to start revising, how to balance Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and how to fit practice papers and mock exams into a realistic weekly schedule. Whether your child is in Year 4 or Year 5, you’ll find practical advice to help them prepare consistently and maximise their chances of success in the 11+.
If you’re planning your child’s 11+ preparation, you may also find our guides to Grammar School Preparation, Grammar School Practice Papers, Grammar School Mock Exams and 11 Plus Exam: Complete Parent’s Guide helpful.
Page Contents
What Is a Grammar School Revision Plan?
Why a structured revision plan matters
A structured grammar school revision plan gives your child a clear path towards the 11+ entrance examination. Instead of revising topics at random or cramming in the weeks before the exam, a revision plan breaks preparation into manageable steps, helping children make steady progress while reducing unnecessary stress.
A good revision plan ensures every key subject—Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning—receives regular attention. It also provides time to revisit weaker topics, complete practice papers, sit mock exams and review mistakes, creating a balanced approach that builds both knowledge and confidence.
Perhaps most importantly, a structured plan helps children develop positive study habits. Short, consistent revision sessions are usually far more effective than long periods of last-minute studying, allowing children to retain information more effectively and approach the 11+ feeling calm and well prepared.
| Without a Revision Plan | With a Structured Revision Plan |
|---|---|
| Revision is unorganised and inconsistent. | Revision follows a clear weekly schedule. |
| Some subjects may be overlooked. | Maths, English and reasoning are all covered regularly. |
| Revision often becomes stressful close to the exam. | Preparation is spread over several months. |
| Progress is difficult to measure. | Regular reviews help track improvement and adjust the plan. |
| Practice papers may be completed without purpose. | Practice papers and mock exams are planned into the schedule. |
Top tip: The best grammar school revision plan is one your child can follow consistently. A realistic routine with regular review sessions is far more effective than an ambitious timetable that’s difficult to maintain.
What subjects should be included?
A successful grammar school revision plan should cover all the subjects assessed in your child’s 11+ entrance examination. While the exact content varies between grammar schools and exam providers, most children will need to revise Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. A balanced revision plan ensures each subject receives regular attention while allowing extra time for weaker areas.
Rather than spending most of your revision time on favourite subjects, aim to spread sessions across all four areas. This helps build well-rounded knowledge and reduces the risk of unexpected weaknesses affecting your child’s performance on exam day.
| Subject | What to Revise |
|---|---|
| Maths | Arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, geometry and problem-solving. |
| English | Reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary. |
| Verbal Reasoning | Word relationships, codes, sequences, logic and vocabulary. |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Patterns, shapes, sequences, spatial awareness and visual reasoning. |
Alongside these core subjects, your grammar school revision plan should also include regular practice papers, mock exams and dedicated review sessions. These help your child apply what they’ve learned, improve exam technique and identify areas that need further revision.
Top tip: Adjust your revision plan as your child progresses. Spend more time on subjects they find challenging while continuing to practise stronger areas to maintain confidence and consistency.
When Should You Start Your Grammar School Revision Plan?
Revision in Year 4
Year 4 is the ideal time to begin a grammar school revision plan, but the focus should be on building strong foundations rather than intensive exam preparation. At this stage, children benefit most from strengthening their Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning skills while developing positive study habits that will support them throughout the 11+ journey.
Revision should be light, consistent and enjoyable. Short weekly sessions are usually enough to reinforce learning without making children feel overwhelmed. This is also a good time to introduce 11+ style questions and simple untimed practice papers so your child can become familiar with the types of questions they may encounter later.
Year 4 Revision Priorities
| Focus Area | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Maths | Strengthen arithmetic, problem-solving and key primary school topics. |
| English | Build reading comprehension, grammar, spelling and vocabulary. |
| Verbal Reasoning | Introduce word patterns, logic and vocabulary exercises. |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Practise simple pattern, sequence and shape questions. |
| Reading | Encourage daily reading to improve comprehension and vocabulary. |
| Study Routine | Establish a consistent weekly revision schedule. |
By the end of Year 4, many children are ready to begin completing their first untimed practice papers, with the emphasis remaining on understanding the questions rather than finishing quickly.
Top tip: A successful grammar school revision plan in Year 4 is about building confidence and strong academic foundations. Children who master the basics now are usually much better prepared for the more structured revision and timed practice that begins in Year 5.
Revision in Year 5
Year 5 is the most important stage of any grammar school revision plan. With the 11+ entrance examination usually taking place in the autumn of Year 6, this is the time to consolidate your child’s knowledge, strengthen weaker areas and develop the exam technique needed to perform confidently under timed conditions.
By Year 5, revision should become more structured and consistent. Alongside regular study of Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, children should begin completing practice papers and mock exams to improve their speed, accuracy and confidence. Reviewing mistakes after each paper is just as important as completing the paper itself.
Year 5 Revision Priorities
| Focus Area | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Maths | Consolidate key topics and improve problem-solving under timed conditions. |
| English | Strengthen comprehension, grammar, spelling and vocabulary. |
| Verbal Reasoning | Complete regular reasoning exercises and timed practice. |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Improve speed and accuracy with pattern and sequence questions. |
| Practice Papers | Complete full-length papers regularly and review every mistake. |
| Mock Exams | Sit realistic mock exams to build confidence and exam technique. |
As the exam approaches, your revision plan should gradually shift from learning new content to refining existing knowledge. Focus on improving weaker topics, managing time effectively and ensuring your child feels confident rather than overwhelmed.
Top tip: A successful grammar school revision plan in Year 5 is built on consistency, targeted revision and regular feedback. Small improvements each week will leave your child feeling prepared and confident when the 11+ arrives.
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Registration deadlines
Registering on time is one of the most important steps when applying to grammar schools near West London. While each school sets its own admissions timetable, most 11+ registration windows open during Year 5, with entrance examinations taking place at the start of Year 6. Missing the registration deadline may mean your child is unable to sit the 11+ that year.
Typical 11+ Admissions Timeline
| Stage | Typical Timing |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | April–May (Year 5) |
| Registration closes | May–July (Year 5) |
| 11+ entrance examinations | September (Year 6) |
| Results released | October (Year 6) |
| Secondary school application deadline | 31 October (Year 6) |
| National Offer Day | 1 March (Year 6) |
Top tip: If you’re applying to multiple grammar schools near West London, remember that Slough Consortium schools, Buckinghamshire grammar schools and schools with their own 11+ exams may all have different registration deadlines and admissions procedures. Check each school’s official admissions timetable early to avoid missing important dates.
How to Build an Effective Grammar School Revision Plan
Set realistic weekly goals
A successful grammar school revision plan starts with realistic weekly goals. Rather than trying to revise every topic at once, break preparation into smaller, achievable tasks that your child can complete consistently. This helps build confidence, reduces stress and makes it easier to measure progress over time.
Your weekly goals should cover all four core 11+ subjects—Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning—while leaving time to review mistakes and revisit weaker areas. It’s better to complete a few focused revision sessions each week than attempt an unrealistic timetable that’s difficult to maintain.
Example Weekly Goals
| Goal | Example |
|---|---|
| Maths | Complete two topic-based revision sessions and one problem-solving activity. |
| English | Read for 20–30 minutes each day and complete one comprehension exercise. |
| Verbal Reasoning | Practise one or two reasoning question sets. |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Complete one pattern or sequence activity. |
| Practice Papers | Complete one timed section or one full practice paper (when appropriate). |
| Review | Go through mistakes and revise weaker topics before the next session. |
Remember to adjust your goals as your child progresses. If they’re finding a particular topic difficult, spend extra time strengthening that area before moving on.
Top tip: The best grammar school revision plan focuses on steady progress, not perfection. Achievable weekly goals help children stay motivated and build confidence throughout their 11+ preparation.
Balance Maths, English and reasoning
A successful grammar school revision plan should give equal attention to Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Focusing too heavily on one subject can leave gaps in your child’s knowledge, especially as most 11+ entrance examinations assess a combination of these skills.
Rather than revising the same subject repeatedly, spread revision across the week so your child practises each area regularly. This balanced approach helps reinforce learning, prevents revision from becoming repetitive and ensures steady progress across every part of the exam.
At the same time, don’t treat every subject equally if your child has clear strengths and weaknesses. Continue revising stronger subjects to maintain confidence, but allocate additional time to areas where they need the most support.
Example Balanced Weekly Revision
| Subject | Weekly Focus |
|---|---|
| Maths | Arithmetic, problem-solving and key 11+ topics. |
| English | Reading comprehension, grammar, spelling and vocabulary. |
| Verbal Reasoning | Logic, word relationships, codes and sequences. |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Patterns, shapes, spatial reasoning and visual logic. |
| Review Session | Revisit weaker topics and correct mistakes from previous work. |
A balanced revision plan should also include regular reading, practice papers and mock exams as your child progresses towards the 11+. This helps them apply their knowledge while continuing to strengthen every subject.
Top tip: Don’t let your child’s strongest subject dominate their revision. A balanced grammar school revision plan develops confidence across Maths, English and reasoning, giving them the best chance of achieving a strong overall score in the 11+.
Include practice papers and mock exams
No grammar school revision plan is complete without practice papers and mock exams. While topic-based revision builds knowledge, practice papers help children apply what they’ve learned, and mock exams prepare them for the pressure and pace of the 11+ entrance examination.
Introduce practice papers once your child has a solid understanding of the core subjects. These help improve accuracy, identify weaker areas and develop exam technique. As your child progresses, begin adding mock exams under realistic timed conditions so they become familiar with managing their time and performing under pressure.
It’s important to review every paper and mock exam carefully. Instead of focusing only on the score, use the results to identify topics that need further revision and adjust your child’s study plan accordingly.
How to Include Them in Your Revision Plan
| Revision Resource | Purpose | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Topic-Based Questions | Build understanding of individual topics. | Throughout Year 4 and early Year 5. |
| Practice Papers | Apply knowledge and improve exam technique. | Regularly during Year 5. |
| Mock Exams | Replicate real 11+ exam conditions. | In the months leading up to the 11+. |
| Review Sessions | Analyse mistakes and strengthen weaker areas. | After every paper or mock exam. |
As the 11+ approaches, your revision plan should gradually shift towards timed practice papers and mock exams, while continuing to revisit weaker topics. This balanced approach helps children improve both their subject knowledge and their confidence before exam day.
Top tip: Don’t let practice papers and mock exams become the only form of revision. They’re most effective when combined with regular subject revision, targeted feedback and time to improve weaker areas between each assessment.
Review progress every week
An effective grammar school revision plan doesn’t just focus on completing revision—it also includes time to review progress every week. Regular reviews help you measure your child’s improvement, identify topics that still need work and adjust the revision plan before small gaps become bigger challenges.
Rather than looking only at scores, pay attention to how your child is learning. Are they becoming more confident? Are they making fewer careless mistakes? Are they managing their time better during practice papers? Tracking these areas will give you a much clearer picture of their readiness for the 11+ than scores alone.
Use your weekly review to celebrate successes as well as identify areas for improvement. Positive feedback helps keep children motivated, while targeted revision ensures every study session has a clear purpose.
Weekly Progress Checklist
| Review Area | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Maths | Which topics have improved? Which still need more practice? |
| English | Is reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary improving? |
| Reasoning | Are Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning scores becoming more consistent? |
| Practice Papers | Is your child making fewer mistakes than last week? |
| Time Management | Are they completing papers more confidently within the time limit? |
| Revision Plan | Does next week’s timetable need adjusting to focus on weaker areas? |
Keeping a simple record of your child’s weekly progress can also be helpful. Over time, you’ll be able to see improvements in confidence, accuracy and exam technique, making it easier to identify when they’re ready to move on to more challenging questions or full mock exams.
Top tip: A grammar school revision plan should be flexible. Use your weekly review to celebrate progress, strengthen weaker topics and adjust the plan as your child’s confidence and skills continue to grow.
Sample Weekly Grammar School Revision Plan
Example revision timetable
A successful grammar school revision plan should be consistent, balanced and realistic. Rather than revising for long periods every day, aim for 30–60 minute sessions that cover all the key 11+ subjects across the week. This helps children stay engaged while steadily building their knowledge and confidence.
Sample Weekly Grammar School Revision Timetable
| Day | Focus | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Maths revision and problem-solving | 30–45 mins |
| Tuesday | English (reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary) | 30–45 mins |
| Wednesday | Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning | 30–45 mins |
| Thursday | Maths and English mixed revision | 30–45 mins |
| Friday | Light revision, reading or vocabulary practice | 20–30 mins |
| Saturday | Timed practice paper or mock exam section | 60–90 mins |
| Sunday | Review mistakes, revisit weaker topics and plan the next week | 30–45 mins |
This timetable can be adjusted to suit your child’s age, confidence and other commitments. Younger children may benefit from shorter sessions, while those closer to the 11+ may gradually increase their revision time and complete more practice papers and mock exams.
Top tip: A grammar school revision plan should fit around your child’s everyday life. A timetable that’s realistic and easy to follow will always be more effective than one that’s too demanding to maintain.
Adjusting the plan before the 11+
As the 11+ entrance examination gets closer, your grammar school revision plan should gradually shift from learning new topics to consolidating knowledge and refining exam technique. The final few weeks are about strengthening confidence, improving time management and ensuring your child feels fully prepared for exam day.
Use the results from practice papers and mock exams to identify any remaining weaker areas, but avoid making major changes to your revision plan at the last minute. Instead, focus on targeted revision, regular timed practice and reviewing previous mistakes. This helps reinforce what your child already knows rather than overwhelming them with new material.
It’s also important to balance revision with adequate rest. As exam day approaches, make sure your child is getting enough sleep, taking regular breaks and maintaining their normal routine. A calm, confident mindset can be just as important as academic preparation.
Final Weeks Revision Checklist
| Priority | Focus |
|---|---|
| Target Weaker Areas | Spend extra time on topics identified through practice papers and mock exams. |
| Timed Practice | Complete realistic practice papers to refine exam technique and pacing. |
| Review Mistakes | Revisit previous errors and ensure your child understands the correct approach. |
| Maintain Strong Subjects | Continue practising areas where your child is already confident. |
| Reduce Pressure | Avoid introducing lots of new topics in the final weeks. |
| Exam Readiness | Maintain a healthy routine with good sleep, regular breaks and a positive mindset. |
Top tip: In the final weeks before the 11+, focus on quality rather than quantity. A well-adjusted grammar school revision plan should reinforce your child’s confidence, strengthen their exam technique and leave them feeling calm and ready for exam day.
Common Revision Plan Mistakes
Revising without a timetable
One of the most common mistakes when creating a grammar school revision plan is revising without a timetable. Without a clear schedule, it’s easy to spend too much time on favourite subjects, overlook weaker areas or revise inconsistently. A structured timetable helps ensure your child covers all the key topics needed for the 11+ entrance examination while making steady progress each week.
A revision timetable doesn’t need to be complicated. The most effective plans are realistic, flexible and easy to follow. By allocating specific days to Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, your child can develop a balanced routine without feeling overwhelmed.
Revising With vs Without a Timetable
| Without a Timetable | With a Revision Timetable |
|---|---|
| Revision is inconsistent and unplanned. | Revision follows a clear weekly routine. |
| Weaker subjects are easily overlooked. | Every subject is covered regularly. |
| Progress is difficult to track. | Weekly goals make improvement easier to measure. |
| Revision often becomes stressful before the exam. | Preparation is spread evenly over several months. |
| Practice papers are completed at random. | Practice papers and mock exams are scheduled strategically. |
Top tip: Your grammar school revision plan doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be consistent. A simple timetable that your child can follow every week will lead to much better results than an ambitious schedule that’s impossible to maintain.
Spending too much time on stronger subjects
It’s natural for children to spend more time revising the subjects they enjoy, but this can create an unbalanced grammar school revision plan. Focusing mainly on stronger subjects may boost confidence in the short term, but it often means weaker areas receive too little attention, limiting your child’s overall 11+ performance.
A balanced revision plan should maintain your child’s strengths while dedicating extra time to topics they find more challenging. Improving a weaker subject can have a much greater impact on their overall score than spending additional hours revising topics they have already mastered.
The best approach is to review your child’s progress regularly and adjust the timetable as needed. If practice papers or mock exams highlight recurring weaknesses, increase revision time for those areas until confidence improves.
Balanced Revision vs Unbalanced Revision
| Unbalanced Revision | Balanced Revision |
|---|---|
| Most time spent on favourite subjects. | Revision time is shared across all 11+ subjects. |
| Weaker topics are often avoided. | Extra time is allocated to areas needing improvement. |
| Confidence grows, but knowledge gaps remain. | Confidence and overall performance improve together. |
| Overall scores may plateau. | More consistent progress across every subject. |
Top tip: A successful grammar school revision plan doesn’t ignore your child’s strengths—but it prioritises the areas where they can make the biggest improvements. Strengthening weaker subjects while maintaining stronger ones is the most effective route to success in the 11+ entrance examination.
Leaving revision until the last minute
One of the biggest mistakes parents make is leaving grammar school revision until the last minute. While it may be tempting to increase revision just a few weeks before the 11+ entrance examination, trying to cover large amounts of content in a short period often leads to unnecessary stress and limited progress.
A successful grammar school revision plan is built over several months, giving children enough time to strengthen Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, complete practice papers, sit mock exams and review their mistakes. This gradual approach helps children retain information more effectively and develop confidence before exam day.
In the final weeks before the 11+, the focus should be on refining existing knowledge rather than learning lots of new topics. Regular revision, targeted practice and plenty of rest will leave your child feeling far more prepared than last-minute cramming.
Early Revision vs Last-Minute Revision
| Last-Minute Revision | Planned Revision |
|---|---|
| Large amounts of revision in a short time. | Revision spread consistently over several months. |
| Can lead to stress and reduced confidence. | Builds confidence through gradual progress. |
| Limited time to improve weaker topics. | Plenty of time to revisit and strengthen difficult areas. |
| Little opportunity for practice papers and mock exams. | Practice papers and mock exams are built into the revision plan. |
| Revision often feels rushed. | Preparation is calm, structured and manageable. |
Top tip: The best grammar school revision plan starts early and focuses on consistent progress rather than last-minute cramming. Small, regular revision sessions over many months will prepare your child far more effectively than intensive revision in the weeks before the 11+.
Grammar School Revision Plan: Final Tips
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