11 Plus at Maidstone Learning Centre
At Maidstone Learning Centre (MLC), we provide thorough 11 Plus tuition covering all the essential areas of English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and Spatial Reasoning for both the Kent and Medway 11 Plus exams. Our team of experienced specialist teachers uses a structured and engaging approach to ensure your child is fully prepared for the test and well-equipped to thrive in a grammar or independent school.
The 11 Plus exam for grammar or independent schools covers a range of core subjects. At MLC, we tailor your child’s 11 Plus preparation to their chosen school.
English
This is usually in three sections in the exams: a comprehension passage, a grammar and punctuation set and a spelling set.
Comprehension: Students will grapple with texts of roughly 500-750 words, from classic literature (like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) to factual pieces (like newspaper reports).
Vocabulary: Tasks might involve defining words, finding synonyms/antonyms, or completing a cloze passage (filling in missing words).
Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar: Questions will test correcting mistakes in passages, including homophones, double-letter words, and commonly misspelt words.
Literary Devices: Students may be asked to identify literary devices like similes, personification, or onomatopoeia.
Literacy Reasoning: Exams without a dedicated Verbal Reasoning section may include questions on rhyming words, anagrams, crosswords, or sequencing.
Tips: Check out our 11+ reading list blog for suggestions on books to read.
Maths
The 11 Plus Maths tests focus on key concepts like Numbers, Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Handling Data, and Shape and Space Measurement.
The 11+ math tests typically focus on what’s learned in Key Stage 2. So, a strong grasp of the math concepts your child is currently learning in school is key for success. In general, the areas covered include:
Number: Squares and cubes, Sequences, Function Machines, equations and Algebra
Handling Data: Frequency tables, bar charts, venn diagrams Mean, Mode, median and range
Shape and Space: 2D shapes, 3D shapes, Nets, area and perimeter
Measurements: Capacity and volume; time, timetables
Tip: Number flashcards, 4 operation games, sudoku,
Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning tests assess vocabulary, spelling, logical reasoning, and code deciphering.
Verbal Reasoning serves as a staple component in the 11+ exams, widely adopted for assessing a child’s innate aptitude rather than mere rote knowledge. It encompasses 26 distinct categories, such as code words, letter sequences, and rhyming words, offering a varied and comprehensive evaluation.
Tips: puzzles of all types – crosswords, wordsearches, word games, jigsaws, Sudoku, etc.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning
The 11+ exam also includes Non-verbal Reasoning (NVR) to assess a child’s problem-solving skills without relying on English proficiency. These questions use pictures or symbols, like shapes and codes, challenging children to identify patterns or sequences.
Non-verbal/Spatial Reasoning tests evaluate logic and observation skills through shape and pattern recognition.
Topics include:
NVR: Analogies, missing sequence, codes matrix, codes from diagrams
Spatial reasoning: Nets, Rotation of shapes, hidden figures, paper folding.
It has been our experience at MLC that there is always something new in the NVR/Spatial reasoning exam, hence we teach, not just the topics but, the skills to deal with any unexpected questions in the exam.
Tip: The all-popular Tetris, Jigsaws, model-making kits, interlocking puzzles, and visual logic games such as Nine Men’s Morris and Sudoku are all useful and can relieve the tedium of formal practice. Sometimes, even a cheeky Minecraft, where they build things can be useful…and no, we weren’t paid by our students to say that.
Join Maidstone Learning Centre today and give your child the best chance of success in the 11 Plus.