11+ Year 5 Preparation Plan: Month-by-Month Guide
A complete month-by-month preparation plan for 11+ verbal reasoning — starting in September of Year 5 through to exam day in September of Year 6.
Month-by-Month Plan (Year 5 → Exam Day)
- ✓Set up daily 10-minute practice routine
- ✓Start with synonyms and antonyms (GL Types A & B)
- ✓Begin a "word of the day" vocabulary habit
- ✓Check your county's exam board (GL or CEM)
- ✓Cover match-the-meaning and fill-the-gap games
- ✓Build to 100 known words by end of month
- ✓Identify 3–5 weak areas from early practice sessions
- ✓Ensure 20 minutes of pleasure reading daily
- ✓Introduce analogy questions (GL Type E)
- ✓Practise word categories, synonyms in context
- ✓Review words missed in October
- ✓Maintain daily reading — vary genres
- ✓Introduce compound builders (GL Type K)
- ✓Cover prefix and suffix word craft
- ✓Lighter schedule — maintain habit, don't push hard
- ✓Re-test words from September/October
- ✓Introduce hidden word finder (GL Type L)
- ✓Cover boundary word questions (GL Type M)
- ✓Register for the 11+ (Bucks/Kent registration often opens Jan–Feb)
- ✓Begin first timed practice — 5 minutes per session
- ✓Introduce code breaker questions (GL Types S/T)
- ✓Cover letter linker and move-a-letter
- ✓Continue building vocabulary — aim for 300 known words
- ✓Maintain daily reading
- ✓Cover alphabetical arranger (GL Type U)
- ✓Introduce mixed VR question practice
- ✓Identify remaining weak areas
- ✓Try first full mock paper section
- ✓Mix all question types in timed sessions
- ✓Focus heavily on weak areas
- ✓Introduce figurative language (similes, metaphors, idioms) for CEM
- ✓One full practice paper under timed conditions
- ✓Full mixed practice papers weekly
- ✓Register for the exam (most deadlines by end of June)
- ✓Celebrate progress — acknowledge how far they've come
- ✓Summer: maintain reading habit, light practice only
- ✓Light practice 3–4 times/week
- ✓No pressure — preserve motivation for the final push
- ✓Re-read favourite books, discover new ones
- ✓Stay rested — exam is September
Follow This Plan on 11PlusQuest
All GL and CEM question types covered. Adaptive AI tracks progress and focuses on weak areas automatically. Set your exam date and track readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should Year 5 11+ preparation start?
The start of Year 5 (September) is the ideal time to begin structured preparation for a September Year 6 exam. This gives a full 12 months — enough time to cover all question types thoroughly without cramming.
How much time should a Year 5 child spend on 11+ prep per day?
10–15 minutes daily is optimal for Year 5. Daily consistency beats irregular long sessions. By Year 6 (April–September), increase to 20–30 minutes as the exam approaches.
Should Year 5 children do timed papers?
Not in the first half of Year 5. Build familiarity and confidence with question types first. Introduce timed elements from January of Year 5 onwards, starting with individual question timing before moving to full timed papers.
What if we're starting in Year 5 — is it too late?
No — Year 5 is exactly the right time to start. Many families panic and think starting in Year 6 is normal. Starting in Year 5 with consistent 10-minute daily sessions is far more effective than intensive preparation in Year 6.