Expert Insights
The Ultimate 11+ Past Paper Resource List
Published 29th November 2024 by Alastair
11 Plus Past Paper Resources
Are you preparing your child for the 11 Plus entrance exams? Practice is key, and past papers are an invaluable resource for building confidence, improving skills, and mastering exam techniques. To help you on this journey, we've compiled a list of the best 11 plus past paper resources, covering all subjects and exam boards.
Before we get to the guide...
Understand the Exam Format: Familiarise your child with question types and structures.
Boost Confidence: Repeated practice reduces anxiety and improves performance.
Identify Weak Areas: Focus on subjects or question types where your child needs extra help.
1. Start Early: Gradually build up practice sessions over time to avoid cramming.
2. Simulate Exam Conditions: Practice under timed, quiet conditions to mimic the real exam.
3. Review Thoroughly: Go through answers to understand mistakes and learn from them.
Ivy Education offers an extensive library of downloadable 11 plus exam papers, designed to comprehensively prepare students for grammar and independent school entrance exams. Our expertly created materials cover all core areas of the 11 plus syllabus, including English, Maths, and reasoning, ensuring a balanced approach to preparation.
Our resources are organised into difficulty tiers, enabling steady progress and skill-building as students work through the materials. This tiered system allows parents and tutors to:
1. Start with Foundational Skills: Beginner-level papers introduce key concepts and familiarise students with the 11 plus exam format without overwhelming them. These papers are ideal for early-stage preparation, helping to build confidence and lay a strong foundation.
2. Progress to Intermediate Tests: As students become more comfortable, intermediate-tier exams introduce moderately complex questions, encouraging them to think critically and apply their knowledge in more nuanced ways. These papers are also designed for most school tests.
3. Master Advanced Papers: Advanced-level papers mirror the difficulty and unpredictability of real 11 plus exams, pushing students to refine their exam techniques and prepare for the high-pressure environment of test day. These papers are designed for the most competitive schools in the country.
By following this tiered system, students can steadily build their skills and confidence without jumping into overly challenging material too soon. This structured approach ensures they remain motivated and consistently improve, making their preparation both effective and less stressful.
Explore Ivy Education’s tailored resources to give your child the tools they need to excel in the 11 plus exams.
Many local councils provide past papers for grammar school entrance exams. Check your local authority’s education page for downloadable resources.
Kent County Council offers a familiarisation booklet for the Kent Test, which includes example questions to help children prepare.
Birmingham Grammar Schools provides familiarisation questions and sample materials relevant to the Birmingham grammar schools' entrance exams.
Buckinghamshire County Council shares a familiarisation booklet for the Secondary Transfer Test, complete with practice questions to support students.
Gloucestershire County Council offers familiarisation materials for the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test, including example questions to practice.
Lincolnshire County Council provides sample 11 plus test papers for prospective grammar school students.
Visit your local council’s website for additional resources specific to your area.
Exam boards like the ISEB (Independent Schools Examination Board) and GL Assessment provide standardised practice materials that align with the 11 plus syllabus, making them highly reliable resources for preparation.
ISEB (Independent Schools Examination Board) offers official Common Pre-Test resources, including information and guidance for families preparing for the Pre-Tests.
GL Assessment provides free familiarisation materials and practice papers for verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, and maths, which are useful for children preparing for grammar school entrance exams.
Visit these exam boards' official pages to access their resources and learn more about their approach to the 11 plus exams.
Leading educational publishers produce high-quality 11 plus practice materials, including past and mock papers.
Bond offers practice books and papers specifically designed for the 11 plus exams.
CGP publishes free 11 plus revision guides and test papers.
Schofield & Sims provides step-by-step 11 plus preparation resources.
Visit these publisher websites to explore a wide range of study materials.
Independent publishers offer a mix of free and premium resources, including downloadable papers and interactive tests.
Ivy Education produces high-quality difficulty-tiered 11 plus exam papers
11Plus.co.uk provides free downloadable papers.
Exam Papers Plus offers customised 11 plus practice exam.
Forums and parent communities are a treasure trove of shared resources and insights.
11 plus Exams Forum is a leading online community where parents share free practice papers, advice, and preparation tips for the 11 plus exams.
Mumsnet's Secondary Education Forum often includes discussions and valuable links to 11 plus preparation materials and advice from experienced parents.
Joining these forums can connect you with other parents navigating the 11 plus process, offering a supportive network and access to additional resources.
Apps provide interactive learning experiences tailored to your child’s progress.
Atom Learning offers adaptive practice for 11 plus exams.
BOFA Learning provides AI-driven feedback and 11 plus resources.
Download these apps to integrate technology into your child’s preparation routine.
For beginners, start with foundational materials such as Bond Starter Books or Schofield & Sims Progress Papers. These resources introduce key concepts gradually and are ideal for building confidence before moving to more challenging materials.
You can access free past papers from websites like Owl Tutors, CGP Books, and other websites listed in our blog.
If you know which exam board (e.g., GL Assessment or CEM) your child’s school uses, it’s highly recommended to use resources tailored to that board. GL Assessment and ISEB both offer practice papers that closely mimic their exams.
Start with materials that match your child’s current skill level. For example, Ivy Education provides tiered papers that gradually increase in difficulty, ensuring steady progress. As your child grows more confident, introduce more challenging papers to prepare for advanced exam scenarios.