🎓 Year 5 and Year 6

11 Plus Exam Preparation
Online Tutoring for Grammar School Entry

National Learning Group provides online 11 Plus exam preparation for pupils preparing for selective school entrance tests. One-to-one support can cover Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning, timed practice and test technique. Preparation is matched to the child’s target school, current needs and the latest admissions format published by that school or local authority.

1:1 from £39.90 per session
✓ GL Assessment and school-specific formats
11 Plus Preparation at NLG
£39.90
per 40-minute 1:1 session
265K+
lessons delivered by NLG tutors across the UK
🎓11 Plus Preparation
🏆National Tutoring Award Winners
★Trustpilot Excellent
🔐DBS Checked Tutors
Sound Familiar?

Why Parents Search for an 11 Plus Tutor

These are the situations parents describe when they come to NLG for 11 Plus support. If any of these sound familiar, targeted specialist preparation can give your child a clearer and more structured way to practise.

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"We do not know where to start with 11 Plus preparation and the exam is 12 months away."
Starting early is the right instinct. NLG 11 Plus tutors begin with a diagnostic assessment to identify which of the four subject areas needs the most attention and build a structured preparation programme from there. Starting earlier gives more time to build reasoning skills gradually, but the right starting point depends on the child and the target test date.
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"Their Maths and English are fine at school but the reasoning questions are completely new to them."
Selective-test reasoning questions can be unfamiliar even to pupils who are doing well at school. Structured practice can help pupils understand the question formats and develop a more consistent approach. NLG 11 Plus tutors teach the question types, methods and timing strategies that help pupils approach reasoning tests more confidently.
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"They know the content but are too slow under timed conditions and do not finish the papers."
Speed under time pressure is one of the most common 11 Plus problems. NLG tutors build timed practice from early in the programme so students learn to pace themselves and develop the automaticity that turns understanding into speed before the real test.
😔
"They are getting anxious about the exam and their performance is inconsistent under pressure."
Test anxiety is very common in Year 6. NLG tutors build familiarity with the exact format and conditions of the 11 Plus through regular timed practice so nothing feels new or surprising on the day. Regular familiarisation with timed practice can help the test format feel less unfamiliar and support confidence.
Core 11 Plus Areas

What Does 11 Plus Tutoring Cover at NLG?

Selective entrance tests can assess different combinations of Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal or Spatial Reasoning. NLG preparation focuses on the areas included in the target school’s current published test format, with timed practice where appropriate.

11 Plus Maths
Core Maths topics tested in all 11 Plus formats
Number and operationsFractions and decimals Algebra and sequencesGeometry and measures Data and statisticsProblem solving
11 Plus English
Language skills for GL Assessment and school-specific formats
Reading comprehensionVocabulary Grammar and punctuationSpelling Cloze procedureCreative writing
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Verbal Reasoning
Common verbal reasoning question types practised systematically
Codes and sequencesWord relationships AnalogiesNumber series Letter patternsHidden words
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Non-Verbal Reasoning
Spatial reasoning and pattern recognition
Shape rotationMirror images MatricesOdd one out SequencesCode by shape
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Timed Practice and Speed
The skills that turn ability into marks under pressure
Timed conditionsElimination strategies Paper managementChecking answers Confidence buildingExam day preparation
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Mock Papers
Simulated exam conditions throughout the programme
GL-style familiarisationSchool-specific formats Full marking and feedbackProgress tracking Weak area targetingExam day preparation
GL Assessment
GL Assessment currently provides 11 Plus admissions tests and official familiarisation materials across English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The exact combination and structure used by a school or consortium can vary.
School and Area-Specific Tests
Selective-test arrangements change by school, consortium and admissions year. Tell NLG the target school when enquiring and always confirm the current test format, registration deadline and admissions rules with the school or local authority.
Current reference: GL Assessment 11+ familiarisation materials. Admissions arrangements should always be checked with the target school or local authority.
Questions Parents Ask

Real Answers About 11 Plus Preparation

When Should My Child Start 11 Plus Preparation?

Many families begin in Year 5 so there is time to build familiarity with the test content and timed practice gradually. Starting in Year 6 can still be useful when the target test date, current strengths and priority gaps are clear.

The right schedule should be based on the child’s starting point rather than a fixed number of months.

What Is the Difference Between GL Assessment and school-specific formats 11 Plus?

There is no single 11 Plus format used by every grammar school. GL Assessment supplies admissions tests covering areas such as English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal or Spatial Reasoning, while other schools and consortia may specify their own structure.

Tell NLG the target school when enquiring so preparation can be aligned to the latest published requirements. Families should also confirm current arrangements directly with the school or local authority.

My Child Is Strong at School but Struggling With Reasoning Questions. Can NLG Help?

Yes. This is one of the most common situations parents describe. Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning are not part of the standard primary school curriculum, so even very able children often find these question types unfamiliar at first.

Reasoning skills can be developed through systematic teaching of the question types, methods and timed practice. NLG 11 Plus tutors use structured practice across common Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal or Spatial Reasoning formats to build familiarity, accuracy and pacing.

How Many Sessions Does My Child Need for 11 Plus Preparation?

There is no fixed number of sessions that suits every child. Frequency should reflect the target test date, current confidence, the areas being assessed and how much practice the pupil can manage alongside school.

NLG tutors use the first lessons to understand priorities and build an appropriate preparation plan rather than prescribing the same timetable to every pupil.

Choose Your Format

11 Plus Tutoring Format

11 Plus preparation is delivered online through one-to-one tutoring.

Most Targeted
1:1 Online 11 Plus Tutoring
£39.90
per 40-min session
✓Dedicated tutor focused entirely on your child
✓Diagnostic assessment in session 1, personalised plan from session 2
✓Matched to the target school's current published test format
✓Timed mock papers and detailed feedback built in
✓Weekly billing with clear cancellation terms
Find an 11 Plus Tutor →
Getting Started

From Enquiry to First 11 Plus Session

Tutor matching times vary according to the target school, preparation needs and tutor availability.

✓No scrolling profiles, we match for you
✓Tutor matching considers the target school, current test format and learning needs
✓Online sessions with interactive teaching and practice tools
✓DBS checks and safeguarding processes are built into NLG tutor standards
1
Tell Us About Your Child and Target School
Share the year group, target grammar school, known test format and any areas where your child needs support.
2
We Match an 11 Plus Specialist
NLG reviews the target school, current admissions format, learning needs and tutor availability before confirming a suitable match.
3
First Lesson
The tutor reviews the areas relevant to the target test, identifies priorities and begins a focused preparation plan.
4
Structured Preparation to Exam Day
Regular sessions build through the areas relevant to the target test, with timed practice and mock-style questions where appropriate. Priorities can be adjusted as the exam approaches.
Preparation Built Around the Target Test

What Parents Can Expect From NLG 11 Plus Support

11 Plus admissions arrangements are not identical across England. NLG starts with the target school and the child’s current needs, then focuses preparation on the relevant English, Maths and reasoning content, timed practice and test technique.

Why does the target school matter?

Grammar schools and local consortia can use different providers, question mixes, timings and admissions rules. Current Birmingham guidance, for example, confirms that the West Midlands Grammar Schools test for 2027 entry uses two GL Assessment papers covering English comprehension, verbal reasoning, mathematics, non-verbal and spatial reasoning. View the current Birmingham admissions-test guidance.

That is why NLG asks for the target school rather than assuming every pupil is preparing for one universal 11 Plus format.

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Every Question Answered

11 Plus Preparation FAQs

The questions parents ask most about 11 Plus tutoring at NLG.

About This Page
✓Prices correct August 2026
✓Reviewed quarterly
✓DBS checked tutors
✓Trustpilot Excellent
✓9,000+ students
✓265K+ lessons

NLG 11 Plus 1:1 tutoring costs £39.90 per 40-minute session. View full pricing.

Many families begin in Year 5 so there is time to build familiarity gradually. Starting in Year 6 can still be useful when the target test date and priority gaps are clear. The right starting point depends on the child and the school’s admissions timetable.

There is no single 11 Plus test used everywhere. GL Assessment provides admissions tests covering English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal or Spatial Reasoning, while schools and local consortia can specify different combinations and timings. NLG preparation should be matched to the target school’s current published requirements.

Preparation can cover Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal or Spatial Reasoning, timed practice and familiarisation with the relevant test format. The exact mix depends on the target school or consortium.

Yes. Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning are not part of the standard school curriculum. Structured teaching can help children become more familiar, accurate and confident with reasoning questions. This is a common starting point for NLG 11 Plus students.

There is no fixed number of sessions for every pupil. Frequency depends on the test date, the child’s starting point, the areas included in the target test and how much practice is appropriate alongside school.

Yes. Timed mock papers under exam conditions are built into the NLG 11 Plus programme throughout. Full marking and detailed feedback are provided after each mock to identify which areas to focus on next.

NLG provides online 11 Plus preparation for families across England. Test formats and admissions rules vary by school and local area, so tell us the target school when enquiring and confirm the latest arrangements with the relevant admissions authority.

It can still be useful to start when the exam is close, but the plan needs to be realistic about the time available. NLG can focus on the highest-priority content, question formats, pacing and familiarisation relevant to the target test without promising a particular result.

NLG delivers 11 Plus tutoring online using live teaching, shared practice materials and timed exercises. This allows the tutor to work through questions with the pupil, explain methods and adjust preparation around the target school’s current test format.

Get Started

Ready to Start Your Child's 11 Plus Preparation?

Choose the most suitable way to begin and review the applicable pricing and cancellation terms before starting.

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Tell us your child's year group, target school and known test format. NLG will review the requirements and current tutor availability before confirming a suitable match.
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