Everything you need to know about 11 plus English
The 11+ English Comprehension section of the grammar school entrance exam can vary across the country. However, the GL Assessment entrance exam often include a fiction or non-fiction comprehension text, followed by a series of multiple choice questions.
This section of the 11+ entrance exam is designed to test a child's ability to extract information and infer meaning from a passage. Therefore, in order to really conquer 11+ English comprehension questions, children need to be reading as much as possible! Not only does reading expose your child to different types of literature, it will also help your child to expand their vocabulary and understand the importance of structure, direct and indirect speech and so much more. To help get your child into a habit of reading on a regular basis, check out the KSOL Recommended Reading List for a range of engaging Comprehension books at the 11plus standard. These texts have been specifically selected by our expert tutors for their engaging content and use of ambitious vocabulary.
Whichever type of passage your child is presented with in this section of the exam, whether it is fiction or non-fiction, the multiple choice questions can be categorised into two general types. The first type includes simple text retrieval questions (such as finding a key date, name or location, etc) and the second type requires logical reasoning to infer meaning (for example, identifying the thoughts and feelings of a character or interpreting language features, etc).
As timing is particularly tight within 11+ English Comprehension, it useful to encourage your child to practice reading and understanding both fiction and non-fiction passages as quickly and effectively as possible. This includes English exam practice such as skim reading and underlining key information as they go, to help when referencing back to the text. If you are looking to gain an insight into the key techniques for answering Comprehension style questions, our pioneering interactive video lessons with corresponding worksheets are a fun and engaging way for Year 5 children to learn and retain the necessary skills for the 11+ exam.
Considering independent schools for your child? The majority of independent school entrance exams tend to include a creative writing task, where your child will be required to construct a creative passage that displays a confident use of writing skills. If you feel like your child could benefit from developing skill-based elements such as application of vocabulary, sentence openers and punctuation, then take a look at our Creative Writing Course!
Other ways to prepare your child for the 11plus...
Whichever stage your child is at, the most important thing to remember is that KSOL offer support and a wide range of personalised programmes to produce the best 11 plus study results for your child.
Our Year 5 online 11+ course includes a unique combination of daily online tests (Mon-Fri), exclusive interactive video lessons and daily feedback from incorrect answers, to target weak areas head on!
Your allocated online tutor will send weekly emails including tips and a visual chart of how your child is progressing. If you have any questions or need any 11+ advice, you can respond to your email or call your tutor during office hours.
Click here to see more of the numerous benefits of our Year 5 11plus online course!
Is your child in Year 4? Start building the key 11+ foundation skills from first principle, and identify which subjects/topics raise the most challenges for your child. Our Year 4 Online 11+ Course is a unique and engaging way to develop a regular study routine and build confidence in the early stages!
If you are looking to simply boost your child’s English skills or complement their existing studies, then the KSOL 11plus preparation tools are an excellent way to further their 11 plus preparation! Check out our exclusive range of 11+ English Comprehension Revision packs, a great introduction to 11 plus fiction and nonfiction passages and questions.
For any further advice regarding your child’s 11+ preparation, please don’t hesitate to contact our team on 0121 733 6558 with any further questions. We are always happy to help!