11+ Maths Guide: Topics, Practice & Preparation

11 plus flagship guide

11+ Maths: Complete Preparation Guide

A structured 11+ Maths guide covering curriculum knowledge, problem solving, speed, accuracy, practice papers and error analysis.

11+ practice resources:
SEARCH for replica 11 plus practice papers FOR ANY SCHOOL.
FREE 11 Plus Practice Tests with answers

Category: 11 plus

11+ Maths: Complete Preparation Guide

A structured 11+ Maths guide covering curriculum knowledge, problem solving, speed, accuracy, practice papers and error analysis.

Psychometrician’s principle: prepare for the construct and the actual assessment, not just the appearance of a practice paper. Strong preparation identifies the skill being measured, diagnoses the cause of errors and adds time pressure only when methods are secure.

What 11+ Maths measures

11+ maths typically draws heavily on Key Stage 2 number knowledge while increasing the demand for speed, multi-step problem solving and unfamiliar applications.

Core number skills

Place value, four operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio and proportional reasoning should be secure before intensive paper practice.

Problem solving

Many selective tests distinguish candidates through word problems. Children should identify relevant information, choose the operation, calculate accurately and check whether the answer is reasonable.

Geometry and measurement

Preparation can include angles, perimeter, area, volume, coordinates, units and interpretation of diagrams, depending on the target test.

Speed versus accuracy

Increasing speed too early can create persistent careless errors. First stabilise methods, then introduce short timed sets and gradually lengthen them.

How to review Maths errors

Classify errors as missing knowledge, wrong method, misreading, arithmetic execution or time pressure. Each error type requires a different intervention.

A better 11+ preparation strategy

Diagnose

Use a short representative task to identify strengths, weaknesses, omissions and time pressure.

Teach

Repair vocabulary, curriculum or reasoning gaps explicitly rather than relying on repeated exposure.

Practise

Use targeted questions first, then mixed practice so the child must identify the appropriate method independently.

Review

Return to previously weak content after a delay and track whether improvement persists.

11+ exam-board and provider guides

GL Assessment 11+CEM / Cambridge Select InsightISEB 11+ISEB Common Pre-TestsIndependent School Entrance Exams

Why provider choice matters

GL, CEM/Cambridge, ISEB and school-specific assessments can differ in subjects, delivery, response format and how results are used. Always begin with the current school admissions policy.

11+ subject flagships

11+ Maths11+ English11+ Verbal Reasoning 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning

Build transferable skills

English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning form the core of many selective assessments, but their weighting and question styles vary.

School Entrance Tests resources

11+ practice and preparation 11+ exam dates 11+ pass marks and standardised scores Grammar-school 11+ exam boards 11+ papers and school links

Use SET for detailed parent-facing practice

School Entrance Tests provides regional 11+ guidance, practice resources, exam-board information and score explanations that complement this RWA flagship.

11+ selective-school guides by region

Birmingham & West Midlands Warwickshire Liverpool & Wirral Manchester & TraffordGloucestershireLincolnshire Devon Dorset, Bournemouth & Poole Yorkshire & North Yorkshire Medway Bexley Sutton

Regional rules matter

Qualification standards, catchments, priority areas, score sharing and test arrangements vary widely across England. Always compare the relevant regional guide with the target school’s current policy.

Common mistakes

Assuming there is one national 11+ test.
Using practice that does not match the target assessment.
Introducing speed before accuracy and method are secure.
Recording scores without analysing why errors occurred.
Using historical pass marks as guaranteed future thresholds.
Ignoring interviews, writing or additional school-specific stages.

Age-related 11+ practice

Year 3: build foundations

Prioritise fluent reading, vocabulary, multiplication facts, number confidence and short reasoning puzzles. Avoid heavy timed-paper practice at this stage.

Year 4: introduce structure

Begin regular English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning practice. Teach question types carefully before introducing speed.

Year 5: main preparation year

Complete the likely syllabus, practise the relevant exam format, use error analysis and gradually introduce timed sections and realistic papers.

Year 6: final preparation

Consolidate methods, sharpen timing, rehearse the actual test process and reduce workload close to the examination so the child arrives rested and confident.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main purpose of this 11+ Maths: Complete Preparation Guide guide?

A structured 11+ Maths guide covering curriculum knowledge, problem solving, speed, accuracy, practice papers and error analysis.

Is there one national 11+ format?

No. Test providers, subjects, timings and admissions rules vary by school, consortium and local authority.

Should parents use practice papers?

Yes, but only after identifying the actual assessment and using practice to diagnose and develop skills rather than simply accumulate paper volume.

Do practice scores predict admission?

Not directly. Practice scores depend on the material used, while real admissions outcomes also depend on standardisation, cohort performance and school rules.

Which 11+ provider should we prepare for?

Check the target school’s current admissions policy first. GL, CEM/Cambridge, ISEB and school-specific routes can differ substantially.

When should preparation become timed?

After the child understands the question types and can work accurately. Timing should be added progressively.

Build preparation around the actual selective assessment

Confirm the current test, strengthen the underlying skills, use practice diagnostically and add realistic timed rehearsal only when accuracy is stable.

Recommended 11 plus maths practice tests to help you pass

There’s plenty of free 11+ Maths practice tests and 11+ Maths past papers at the links below.
Recommended 11+ maths practice tests. tests

SEARCH for replica 11 plus practice papers FOR ANY SCHOOL. ‌

FREE 11 Plus Practice Tests with answers

Free 11 plus practice papers

The following links have many useful past 11 plus pass mark and 11 plus maths papers for grammar school entry.

11+ Maths Sample Paper (Stockport Grammar School) 2020

Maths (Reigate Grammar School 2013)

11+ Maths (Reigate Grammar School 2012)

11+ Maths Sample Paper (Stockport Grammar School) 2020 Answers

Our FREE 11 plus maths quiz

Try our free online 11plus maths quiz: Click here to start our 11 plus Maths quiz.

Firstly, in this quiz, there are some general 11+ Maths practice questions to prepare for school entrance.
These questions have been asked in previous 11+ exams, so they are very useful in getting you ready for the real thing.

Regular practice is the best predictor for achieving good results in Maths 11+ tests.

There will be 10 minutes for 15 questions.
Make sure you have paper and pencil handy. No calculators.
Find a quiet place and finish this quiz in one sitting.

Our 11 plus Maths quiz has general 11+ Maths practice questions to prepare for school entrance.
These questions have been asked in previous 11+ exams, so they are very useful in getting you ready for the real thing. Or, alternatively to keep you practising.
Regular Maths practice questions are the best predictor for achieving good results in Maths.

Please note:

There will be 10 minutes for 15 questions.
Make sure you have paper and pencil handy. No calculators.
Find a quiet place and finish this quiz in one sitting.

Hope you enjoy our free sample 11 plus tests below:

11_Plus_Maths_Sample-Paper and 11_Plus_Maths_practice-papers.

11 plus critical thinking practice. This is a new 11 plus test which some grammar schools have adopted.

Or browse our Maths puzzle books below:

Maths-puzzle-book_1 and Maths-puzzle-book_2.

Our 11+ Maths Tips

Although you may not finish the test, the best strategy is to answer as many questions as you can in the time available.

Before deciding upon your final answer, you may be able to rule out one or two of the multiple choice questions as incorrect.
Read each question and review each chart very carefully – taking one chart and its associated questions at a time. Only start looking at the answer options once you have done this.
Ensure that you are aware of the units of measurement that each question is referring to.
Each question is worth the same so don’t spend too long on a single question. Remember that you may find subsequent questions easier to answer and that if there is time at the end of the test you can return to any unfinished questions.
Work efficiently, but do not rush. Although you may not finish the test, the best strategy is to answer as many questions as you can in the time available.
Remember to only use the information that is provided in the charts and not any of your own background knowledge.
Round up any decimal points and any pence (whilst taking account of any specific instructions provided).

See our useful guide: Where is my local grammar school?

11 Plus Maths Papers

Even infinite amounts of practice won’t turn an average student into a Maths prodigy. Regularly scheduled 11 Plus Maths practice with past papers at the expected difficulty levels will give you a boost and that may be all that you need to pass.

Maths 11 plus Past Papers

11 Maths Papers Part II

11+Plus Maths Sample (Eltham College)

11 plus Maths tips

11 plus Maths preparation

11 + Maths (Merchant Taylors) Maths (Merchant Taylors 2009) 11 + Maths Group 1 (NLIGSC 2012) Maths Group 2 (NLIGSC 2012) Maths Group 1 (Notting Hill & Ealing High School 2016) 11 + Maths (Notting Hill & Ealing High School 2015) Maths (Notting Hill & Ealing High School 2014) 11 + Maths (Notting Hill & Ealing High School 2013) Maths (Notting Hill & Ealing High School 2012) 11 + Maths (Notting Hill & Ealing High School 2011).

Where’s my local London Grammar Schools?

Maths (Notting Hill & Ealing High School 2010) 11 + Maths (Notting Hill & Ealing High School 2009) Maths (Notting Hill & Ealing High School 2008)

Ask ROB (expert test developer) your questions by emailing passedpapers@gmail.com

An Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Rob Williams is a Chartered Psychologist with over 25 years of experience working and designing tests.
Rob has worked for the school entrance test publishers ISEB and GL – as well as the leading global psychometric test publishers including SHL, Kenexa IBM, MBTI, CAPP and SOVA Assessment.