If your child is sitting the 11+ in September 2026, now is the time to start preparing steadily. The children who feel calm on exam day are almost always the ones who began early and practised consistently. Here’s how to get ready for the two areas families worry about most: maths and verbal reasoning.

Maths

The 11+ maths paper rewards accuracy and speed more than advanced knowledge. Most topics draw on the Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 curriculum, so the goal is fluency: quick mental arithmetic, times tables, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, and multi-step word problems. Short, regular practice works best, and reviewing every mistake together turns errors into progress.

Verbal Reasoning

Verbal reasoning is rarely taught in primary school, so it can feel unfamiliar, but it is very learnable. It tests vocabulary, logic, and pattern-spotting through analogies, odd-one-out, hidden words, and codes. A broad vocabulary built through daily reading is the foundation, alongside getting familiar with each question type so nothing surprises them on the day.

Practise a Little Every Day

We recommend around 90 minutes of focused practice a day, split between maths and verbal reasoning, using Brightway practice tests to build both speed and confidence. Consistency matters far more than occasional long sessions. Just as importantly, get your child support the moment they start to struggle with a topic, rather than letting small gaps grow into bigger worries.

A Note on the GL Exam

Many 11+ exams use the GL Assessment format, which children often find challenging unless they have practised it well in advance. Familiarity with GL-style questions and timing makes a real difference, which is why early, targeted practice is so valuable.

How Brightway Education Can Help

Our realistic mock exams recreate genuine exam conditions and come with detailed feedback, so you know exactly which topics need more attention. Our intensive 10-week 11+ course takes children steadily through everything the exam demands in maths and verbal reasoning, with regular assessment and confidence-building led by tutors who know the 11+ inside out.

If you’d like to give your child the best possible start for September 2026, get in touch with Brightway Education today.