The 11 plus is the collective term for a combination of tests which assess pupils’ ability when they are in year 6. These tests run for a set amount of time and adhere to strict time limits. Your child will need to work quickly and accurately in order to pass and there is little allowance for hesitation if success is to be gained. If a child’s performance in the 11 plus indicates high intellect and significant potential for academic achievement, s/he will be offered a place at a selective school.
Application for these assessments is made through the child’s school and often the school will recommend that the child takes the test. Even if your child’s school does not make such a recommendation, or if your child does not go to school (for example in the case of home education), you can still enter your child for the exams via a school or education authority.
The composition and content of these tests vary depending on the borough which sets them. Most boroughs see the 11 plus as obsolete and have abolished it. Those who have maintained it and continue to offer it include Bexley and Dartford boroughs.
Currently the components of the London Borough of Bexley’s 11 plus are Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English Comprehension and Numerical Reasoning(mathematical problem solving). It consists of two 45 minute tests which are divided into smaller individually timed sections, each paper consisting of a mixture of questions from the four subjects. The questions are multiple choice.
For a place at one of the grammar schools in the Dartford borough, you will need to enter your child for the Kent Test. The tests are also multiple-choice. Currently the first test is an English and Maths paper, lasting 1 hour. The English section involves a comprehension exercise as well as some additional questions drawn from a set designed to test literacy skills.
The second test is a Reasoning paper of about 1 hour, including the practice sections and questions. This contains a Verbal Reasoning section and a Non-Verbal Reasoning section of roughly the same length. The non-verbal reasoning is split into short sections, administered and timed individually. There is also a writing exercise which will not be marked but may be used by a local headteacher panel for borderline pupils. 40 minutes will be allowed for the writing task, including 10 minutes planning time.
Although it is not really possible to assess all components of each subject tested, it is likely that the vast majority of topics will be examined. In maths, for example, pupils may be asked questions on adding, subtracting, short and long multiplication and division, problem solving, reflection, co-ordinates, fractions and decimals and place value to name but a few. In English, there will be a comprehension followed by questions that test spelling, punctuation and grammar. Key vocabulary is also likely to be tested and pupils should be able to identify common and collective nouns, pronouns, adverbs, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, connectives, homonyms, synonyms and antonyms. Importantly, this list is not exhaustive.
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