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The 11 Plus Revision Routine That Actually Works
The 11 Plus Revision Routine That Actually Works One of the most common things parents say when they start preparing for the 11 plus is some version of: "We're doing loads of practice papers but I'm not sure it's working." And often, when you dig into what's actually happening, the problem isn't effort - it's structure. A child doing three hours of practice on a Sunday but nothing during the week is working much harder than a child doing 20 minutes every evening, and getting

Lili Rose
5 days ago5 min read


Why Non-Verbal Reasoning Is the Section Most 11 Plus Children Underestimate
Why Non-Verbal Reasoning Is the Section Most Children Underestimate Ask most parents what their child needs to work on for the 11 plus and you'll hear Maths and English. Occasionally Verbal Reasoning gets a mention. Non-Verbal Reasoning - NVR - tends to come last, if it comes up at all. That's a mistake, and it's one that catches a lot of families out. NVR is one of the most heavily weighted sections of the Kent Test and GL Assessment papers. It is also the section that child

Lili Rose
May 125 min read


What's Actually in the GL Assessment? A Subject-by-Subject Guide
If your child is sitting the Kent Test or another GL Assessment exam, knowing exactly what's in it is the first step to preparing effectively. The GL Assessment covers four subjects, each with its own question types, timing and preparation strategies. Here's a clear breakdown of what your child will actually face.

Lili Rose
May 55 min read


When Should My Child Start 11 Plus Preparation?
It's one of the most common questions parents ask when they first start thinking about the 11 plus — and one of the most anxiety-inducing. Start too early and you risk burning your child out before the exam even arrives. Leave it too late and you're cramming under pressure. So what's the right answer?

Lili Rose
Apr 284 min read


What Does the Kent 11 Plus Actually Test? (And How to Practise Each Section)
What Does the Kent 11 Plus Actually Test? What Does the Kent 11 Plus Actually Test? If you're preparing your child for the Kent Test, one of the most useful things you can do early on is understand exactly what's in it. Not in a vague "it tests maths and English" way, but properly - what the papers look like, what question types come up, and where children tend to lose marks. The Kent Test is set by GL Assessment and is taken by over 16,000 children each year, competing for a

Lili Rose
Apr 275 min read


How to Choose an 11 Plus Tutor in Kent
Finding the right 11 plus tutor in Kent can feel overwhelming. There's no shortage of options — from individual tutors advertising on local noticeboards to large national agencies — and the quality varies enormously. This guide will help you cut through the noise and find someone genuinely suited to your child.

Lili Rose
Apr 215 min read


GL Assessment vs CEM — what's the difference and which does Kent use
If you've started researching the 11 plus, you've almost certainly come across two names: GL Assessment and CEM. Understanding the difference matters — not because the subjects tested are dramatically different, but because the question styles, timing and preparation strategies vary enough that revising for the wrong one is a real risk.
Here's everything you need to know.

Lili Rose
Apr 144 min read


How to Make 11 Plus Study Less of a Battle
If you've ever watched your child's face fall when you mention 11 plus practice, or spent twenty minutes negotiating before they'll even open a workbook, you're in very good company.

Lili Rose
Apr 74 min read


The Best Free 11 Plus Practice Resources Online (2026)
Finding good 11 plus practice material without spending a fortune is entirely possible — if you know where to look. This guide covers the best free resources available online right now, what each one is good for, and where the gaps are.

Lili Rose
Apr 73 min read
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