What to expect from the 11+ English exam paper?

For parents preparing their child for the 11+ English exam, it’s important to understand that the format of the exam can differ significantly depending on the school or region. Here’s a simplified guide to help you navigate this:

Varied Formats Across Different Locations:

• • Each school or area may have a unique approach to the 11+ English paper.
  • Some schools design their own exam papers and may change the style each year. This ensures the content remains fresh and reduces the chances of parents sharing specific details about the test.

School-Set Papers:

• • These are customized by the schools themselves.
  • The format and content can vary year to year.
  • It’s important to check with your child’s school for any guidance or past papers they might provide.

Pre-Set Papers by Publishers:

• • • Some schools opt for standardized papers created by publishers like GL Assessment (formerly NFER).
    • These papers often follow a multiple-choice format.
    • They are more predictable in structure compared to school-set papers.

A typical GL Assessment paper (NFER), with a time limit of 50 minutes, features:

11+ Comprehension Exercise (50 minutes total):

• • Reading Comprehension: Children will read a two-page story and answer 18 questions to demonstrate their understanding of the text.
  • Vocabulary: Four questions will test their understanding of specific words used in the text.
  • Grammar: Three questions will ask children to identify parts of speech like nouns, verbs, and prepositions.
  • Spelling: Eight questions focus on spotting spelling mistakes in sentences.
  • Capitalization and Punctuation: Another eight questions test the correct use of capital letters and punctuation.
  • Sentence Completion: Eight questions require selecting the best word from a list to complete a sentence.

Other Common Tasks in Various 11+ English Papers:

• • Sentence Ordering: Rearranging words to form correct sentences.
  • Basic Punctuation: Using capital letters, full stops, and question marks correctly.
  • Alphabetical Ordering: Placing words in alphabetical order.
  • Identifying Odd Words: Selecting words that don’t fit in a given group.
  • Finding Opposites and Rhymes: Common in Verbal Reasoning papers.
  • Story Ordering: Arranging sentences to form a coherent story.
  • Cloze Tests: Filling in blanks in sentences with appropriate words.

Writing Tasks:

• • Essay Writing: Children might be asked to write an essay or a short story, typically within 20 to 50 minutes. This tests their creative writing skills and their ability to express ideas clearly and coherently.

Preparation Tips for Parents:

• Reading Practice: Regular reading will improve comprehension skills, vocabulary, and understanding of grammar.
• Practice Papers: Use GL Assessment (NFER) practice papers to familiarize your child with the format and types of questions.
• Vocabulary Building: Encourage learning new words and their meanings.
• Grammar Exercises: Practice identifying different parts of speech.
• Writing Exercises: Encourage your child to write short stories or essays to improve their writing skills.