11+ Maths: What It Tests and How to Prepare Calmly
What 11+ maths papers usually cover, how they differ from school maths, and a calm, structured way to prepare your child in Years 5 and 6.
By the Avani Academy teamUpdated 3 min read
Quick answer
11+ maths usually tests Key Stage 2 topics — arithmetic, fractions, ratio, algebra basics, geometry and data — but in harder, multi-step, often timed problems. Prepare by securing mental arithmetic and times tables, practising problem-solving regularly, and using papers in the format your target schools use. Formats vary by area and school, so check first.
Key takeaways
- Check which test format your target schools use — it varies by area.
- Fast, accurate arithmetic is the foundation for timed papers.
- Problem-solving and reasoning matter more than learning tricks.
- Steady preparation over months beats intensive last-minute cramming.
What the 11+ is
The 11+ is a selective entrance test used by grammar schools and some independent schools in parts of the UK, usually taken in the autumn of Year 6. Each area and school decides its own format: some use multiple-choice papers, others written answers, and the mix of subjects (maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning) differs. Always check the format your target schools use.
What 11+ maths usually covers
Most 11+ maths is based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum, but questions are harder and often combine several skills:
- Number: place value, the four operations, long multiplication and division, factors, multiples and primes
- Fractions, decimals and percentages, including converting between them
- Ratio and proportion
- Basic algebra: missing numbers, simple formulae, sequences
- Measurement: units, time, perimeter, area and volume
- Geometry: angles, properties of shapes, coordinates, reflection and translation
- Statistics: tables, bar charts, pie charts, averages
- Multi-step word problems — usually the biggest challenge
How it differs from school maths
School tests check whether a child has learned a topic. The 11+ checks how quickly and flexibly they can apply it to unfamiliar problems, often under time pressure.
A calm preparation plan
- 1Year 5, autumn and spring: secure times tables (to 12 × 12), mental arithmetic and written methods. Little and often — 15 minutes a day.
- 2Year 5, summer term: work through problem-solving topics: fractions of amounts, ratio, percentages, area, sequences and word problems.
- 3Summer holiday before Year 6: introduce timed practice papers in your target schools' format. Review mistakes carefully.
- 4Weeks before the test: a few timed papers, plenty of rest, and building confidence rather than cramming.
Keep perspective
The 11+ is one route among many, and children develop at different rates. Preparation should build skills and confidence that are useful whatever the outcome. If preparation is causing real distress, it's worth stepping back.
How tutoring helps
A tutor can identify weak areas, teach efficient methods and build problem-solving confidence without overloading your child. Online lessons fit around school and activities without the travel.
Avani Academy supports UK students from Year 6 to Year 13, including 11+ maths. Start with a free 30-minute trial.
Frequently asked questions
When should my child start preparing for 11+ maths?
Many families start gently in Year 5. What matters most is regular practice and secure arithmetic rather than starting very early.
Is the 11+ maths paper harder than SATs?
It's usually based on similar topics but includes more challenging, multi-step problems and is often more strongly timed.
Do all grammar schools use the same 11+ test?
No. Formats vary by area and school, so check each target school's admissions information.
Written by the Avani Academy team
Avani Academy teaches maths online to students in Grades 5–12 in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and India. Lessons are taught by Avani Shukla, an Electronics & Communication Engineer with more than 14 years of experience teaching mathematics. Exam and curriculum rules change — always check the latest guidance from your child's school or exam board.