Applying for the 11+ or 13+ can be a daunting experience. You have selected the schools you would like your child to attend but you aren’t sure what you can do to help them prepare.

Here is a list of my top tips to help your child prepare for the entrance exams:

1. Understand the exam format – you should familiarise yourself with the specific format of the school your child is applying to. Different schools often use different exam board (ISEB, GL, CEM, or a paper of their own devising). Try to get hold of past papers from the school so you child can get used to the format and practise answering questions. 
2. Master time management – many students struggle with timing. Ensure your child has ample opportunity to practise exam papers in timed conditions to help them build confidence in completing all the questions within the allotted time. Teach you child to allocate their time wisely; if they get stuck on a question then advise them to move on – they can always revisit it at the end.
3. Build strong reading habits – Encourage your child to read a wide-range of fiction and non-fiction texts. Many 11+ and 13+ exams assess comprehension skills using challenging texts. Reading classical literature, newspapers, and opinion pieces will improve their vocabulary and analytical skills.
4. Practise past papers regularly – working through past papers under timed conditions helps students get used to the structure of the exam. The focus should be on reviewing mistakes and learning from them rather than just completing as many papers as possible. This is where you will need to support your child by marking the papers and providing feedback.
5. Perfect the art of creative writing – for the writing section, students need to write engaging, well-structured narratives or essays. In preparing for this, you should remind your child that they need to:
   • Plan their writing before starting
   • Use varied sentence structures and strong, well-chosen vocabulary
   • Include sensory detail and figurative language for effect
   • Check their finished work carefully for errors of spelling and grammar
6. Revise Key Grammar and Punctuation Rules – grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure are heavily tested in the entrance exams. Ensure your child knows:
   • Parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs).
   • Punctuation rules (apostrophes, commas, colons, and semicolons).
   • Subject-verb agreement and sentence structure.
7. Develop Exam Confidence – Entrance exams can be stressful, so encourage your child to practise exam techniques such as:
   • Eliminating wrong answers in multiple-choice questions.
   • Staying calm under pressure.
   • Double-checking answers if time allows.
   • Believing in their preparation and skills.

If you’re looking for expert support to help your child prepare for their 11+ or 13+ entrance exams, we’re here to help. At Excellence in English, we have a strong track record of guiding students to success, securing places at some of the UK’s top independent and grammar schools. Get in touch today to find out how we can support your child’s journey.