11+ Exam Final Reminder: Last-Minute Tips for the 11 Plus Exam

As you begin your final preparations for the 11+ exam, Ruby’s Tuition has put together some last-minute 11 plus exam tips and information to help you perform at your best.

Preparing for the 11+ Exam Between Now and Test Day

The 11+ GL assessment exam in Redbridge takes place on 18th September. You still have plenty of time to practise and build your confidence with focused 11+ exam preparation.

The most important tip is consistency throughout the holiday. Aim to complete a few 11+ practice papers each week. As you work through them, you’ll start to identify your areas of struggle. Focus on these question types and practise them until you fully understand them, then return to the questions you originally got wrong. Getting them right the second time round is proof that your 11+ exam revision is working.

Don’t forget to practise all sections of the 11+, including non-verbal reasoning and verbal reasoning — these are just as important as maths and English.

Another habit that can significantly boost your 11+ exam scores is reading. Reading exposes your mind to new vocabulary, which helps with synonyms, antonyms, and comprehension questions — all core parts of the 11+ English exam. It also strengthens spelling, a skill that’s essential for 11 plus success.

The Night Before the 11+ Exam

The night before the 11 plus exam can be the most stressful part, but resting well is key to performing at your best. Make sure you:

  • Get a good night’s sleep
  • Prepare your school bag with the right 11+ exam equipment (2–3 HB pencils, an eraser, a sharpener, and a ruler). Use a clear pencil case — anything else may need to be left outside the exam room.
  • Arrive with plenty of time to avoid the stress of being late
  • Listen carefully to all instructions given by the invigilators

Remember — you’ve already done the hard work. Now it’s just the test.

During the 11+ Exam: Key Rules for Marking Your Answers

You’ll complete your answers on a separate answer sheet, not the question booklet — answers on the booklet itself are never marked, so transferring answers correctly is essential. Make sure you:

  • Mark answers with a single straight line across the correct box. Your answer sheet is scanned by a computer, which will not recognise circles, crosses, or ticks.
  • Double-check the question number before marking your answer — mismatched question numbers are one of the most common mistakes in timed 11+ practice tests.
  • Only mark one answer per question. If more than one box is marked, the computer won’t register any answer, even if one of them is correct. If you make a mistake, rub it out completely and mark your new answer clearly.
  • Always use an HB pencil — the one you packed the night before.

11+ Exam Time Management Tips

Time management is crucial in the 11+ exam, given the number of questions you need to answer. A good rule of thumb is 1 minute per mark. If you’re stuck on a question that’s taking too long, skip it and move on — the next question may be easier, letting you secure marks you can get more quickly. Return to any skipped questions if you have time at the end.

Spending five minutes stuck on a single question can cost you several marks elsewhere simply because you ran out of time to finish the paper.

If you finish a section early, use the remaining time to check that you have:

  • Answered every question
  • Marked all answers correctly
  • Transferred all answers accurately
  • Double-checked your calculations

Checking your work is one of the easiest ways to pick up extra marks.

For 11+ maths questions, work out your answer first, then follow the exact format instructed — for example, if your answer is 4, you may need to write it as 04.

You’ve worked incredibly hard to get to this point — the exam is the final hurdle. Stay confident, pace yourself using the 1-minute-per-mark rule, and trust your preparation.

Ruby’s Tuition wishes all our 11+ students the very best of luck in their 11 plus exam!

Looking for expert 11+ tuition in Ilford or Redbridge? Ruby’s Tuition offers specialist 11+ exam preparation, including verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English support, for students of every ability. Get in touch to find out more.