How We Prepare Students for 11+: Behind the Scenes at MLC

September 8, 2025

How We Prepare Students for 11+: Behind the Scenes at MLC

At Maidstone Learning Centre, preparing students for the 11+ is about more than just practice papers and past exam questions.
We believe success comes from building skills, strategies, and confidence in a supportive environment. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we help every child shine.

Tailored Learning Plans

Every child who joins our 11+ programme starts with an individual learning plan.
We assess their strengths, highlight areas to develop, and create a roadmap that’s personal to them,not a one-size-fits-all checklist.

This allows us to:

Target gaps early
Stretch high achievers
Pace learning to avoid burnout
Keep progress steady and motivating

Core Skills Foundation

Before focusing heavily on 11+ style questions, we build a strong foundation in English and Maths.
This includes:

Reading comprehension and vocabulary building
Spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG)
Mental maths speed and written calculation methods
Problem-solving strategies

Without this foundation, 11+ style papers become a source of stress rather than a chance to shine.

Reasoning Training

Many schools don’t teach Verbal Reasoning or Non-Verbal Reasoning, so we build these skills from the ground up.
We introduce techniques, offer guided practice, and encourage students to tackle increasingly challenging puzzles as they grow in confidence.

This step-by-step method means even students new to reasoning questions can succeed.

Practice Under Pressure

Exam technique is just as important as knowledge.
We help students:

Manage time during papers
Decide when to move on
Check their answers smartly
Stay calm if they get stuck

Through timed exercises, mock tests, and strategy sessions, our students build resilience and exam stamina in a safe, supportive setting.

Encouragement, Confidence, and Mindset

One of the biggest differences at MLC is our focus on mindset.
We believe that confidence grows through:

Celebrating small wins
Teaching positive thinking habits
Helping students understand that mistakes are learning opportunities

A child who believes in their ability is far more likely to perform well under exam conditions and to carry that confidence into secondary school and beyond.

Real Preparation, Real Results

The 11+ is a demanding process, but at Maidstone Learning Centre, we make sure it’s a positive experience that builds skills for life not just for one exam.