Parents can hear very different advice about when to begin 11+ preparation, from starting several years in advance to waiting until Year 5 or even Year 6. With such different timelines, it can be hard to know when to start preparing and what your child needs at each stage.
The right timing depends on more than a year group because target schools have their own admissions processes and children may need different amounts of time to prepare. There is no single timeline that works for every child, but understanding the usual admissions process can make the decision clearer.
Today, we’ll look at what the 11+ involves, when preparation typically begins, how to check if your timing is on track and which local resources are available to Notting Hill families.
The 11+ refers to entrance assessments used by selective schools as part of their admissions process for children moving into senior school.
Rather than one national exam, the 11+ takes different forms depending on the school, so assessment formats and requirements vary. For Year 7 entry, children usually take the relevant assessments during Year 6.
Some independent schools use the ISEB Pre-Tests, a set of four online, adaptive tests covering English, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. The tests assess both what children have learned and how they use reasoning and problem-solving skills.
For maths, ISEB’s test framework is based on the National Curriculum Programme of Study up to the end of Year 5, including:
number and place value
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
fractions, decimals and percentages
measurement
geometry
statistics
Some questions focus on arithmetic fluency, while others ask children to solve mathematical problems using one or more of these areas.
For families in our local community, Notting Hill Prep explains that 11+ processes typically assess English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, often through the ISEB Common Pre-Test alongside interviews and group assessments.
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11+ maths questions can test both fluency and the ability to use familiarmaths skills to solve problems.
Focused 11+ preparation commonly begins around Year 5, although children can start building the maths foundations they need in Year 4, depending on their current skills and the requirements of their target schools.
The level of preparation can then change as the assessment gets closer. One useful progression is:
Year 4: Strengthen core maths skills and address gaps that could make later 11+ work more difficult.
Year 5: Become familiar with the content and question formats used by target schools.
Year 6: Continue practising the relevant assessment format and build confidence with the types of questions children will encounter before their test date.
Families can start researching target schools before focused preparation begins to keep track of registration deadlines and upcoming assessments.
As a local example, Notting Hill Prep incorporates focused English and maths preparation for 11+ and 13+ pre-tests from Year 5. Children become familiar with the types of questions and expectations they may encounter while continuing with their wider school curriculum, as the school favours firm foundations and a broad education over exam technique in the early years.
For schools that use the ISEB Pre-Tests as their 11+ assessment, families can check the current ISEB calendar for registration and testing dates. Individual senior schools set their own test deadlines, so families should always check the admissions information for each target school.
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11+ preparation is on track when children strengthen the maths skills they need for the assessment, become familiar with its format and maintain a healthy balance between preparation, school and other activities.
Parents can assess how preparation is progressing across four areas:
| Area | Signs preparation is on track |
| Maths foundations | Your child understands the maths behind the questions and can use their knowledge to solve problems without relying on memorised exam techniques. |
| Assessment format | Practice includes the question styles and, where relevant, the online format used by target schools. |
| Individual needs | Preparation focuses on specific gaps or skills that still need work instead of treating every topic as equally difficult. |
| Workload | 11+ work fits alongside normal schoolwork and activities without taking over most of your child’s time outside school. |
Children taking the ISEB Pre-Tests should become familiar with the online platform and question styles before test day. ISEB provides familiarisation materials to help children understand what to expect.
11+ work should still support the maths children are learning rather than become a separate cycle of exam practice. Notting Hill Prep takes a similar approach locally by incorporating 11+ skills into its normal curriculum and familiarising children with assessment formats to reduce nervousness around the process.
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Notting Hill families can use local school guidance and community resources to learn more about the 11+ process and support children as they prepare.
Here are some useful options:
Notting Hill Prep provides guidance on 11+ and 13+ entrance exams, including typical assessment areas and how the school approaches preparation.
NHEHS admissions FAQs explain the 11+ application and assessment process at Notting Hill & Ealing High School. NHEHS is part of the London 11+ Consortium and currently uses its online entrance test, which includes maths alongside reasoning, English, problem-solving and analysis. Families can also use the Consortium’s familiarisation materials to understand the style and format of the assessment before test day.
The ISEB Test Walkthrough is a free familiarisation tool for children whose target schools use the ISEB Pre-Tests. Children can explore the online test platform, accessibility features and styles of questions they may encounter before test day.
Kensington and Chelsea libraries include Notting Hill Gate Library and North Kensington Library, where children can access library resources and find a space for independent study.
We suggest using local resources alongside the information provided by your target schools to support your child’s preparation at each stage.
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At Mathnasium, our instructors work with students individually to help them understand the maths concepts they'll face on the 11+, ISEB exams and other entrance tests.
Mathnasium is a maths-only learning centre dedicated to helping students of all skill levels excel in maths.
Whether a child is just starting to think about the 11+ or is already deep into preparation, we can help.
Our 11+ Test Prep builds the underlying maths fluency and reasoning the exam relies on, alongside general progress, so preparation strengthens true understanding rather than just exam technique.
Mathnasium of Notting Hill currently offers an 11+ Preparation Programme, giving local families access to this support at our centre.
We provide this customised instruction through the Mathnasium Method™, our proprietary teaching approach designed to help children build maths mastery through deep understanding. Our approach includes:
Assessment and customised learning plans. Every child’s Mathnasium journey begins with a diagnostic assessment that identifies their current strengths and any gaps in their maths understanding. We use the results to create a bespoke learning plan based on what they already know and what they need to learn next.
Teaching for understanding. Our specially trained instructors explain concepts using mental, verbal, visual, tactile and written techniques. Children develop a deeper understanding of the maths behind the methods they use.
Face-to-face instruction. Children work directly with specially trained instructors at a pace that is right for them, with support and guidance throughout each session, both in-centre and online.
11+ problem-solving and familiarisation. As children progress, they work on rigorous problem-solving, mixed practice and relevant exam-style questions. Instructors provide feedback during sessions to build confidence ahead of the test.
The results show what this approach can achieve:
94% of parents report an improvement in their child's maths skills and understanding
93% of parents report their child's improved attitude towards maths after attending Mathnasium
90% of students saw an improvement in their school grades
With over 1,250 centres worldwide, including over 40 across the UK, there is likely a Mathnasium centre near you.
Families across Notting Hill, North Kensington, Kensal Rise, Queens Park, Bayswater, Kensington and Holland Park trust Mathnasium of Notting Hill to help their children build lasting maths confidence.
If the 11+, or any other maths goal, is on your mind, our team is ready to support you.
✉️ Click Contact Us to get in touch with Mathnasium of Notting Hill
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Mathnasium of Notting Hill is a math-only learning centre for K-12 students in London, LON. Trusted by over a million parents, Mathnasium uses personalized learning plans and the proprietary Mathnasium Method™ to help students catch up, keep up, and get ahead on their math journey.
Our specially trained tutors deliver face-to-face instruction in a supportive and fun small-group environment, working with students both in centre and online to develop a deep understanding of math, build confidence, and improve academic performance.
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