How Do I Structure My Child's Day During Their 11+ Preparation?
If your child is getting ready for the 11+ exam in 2025, you're probably juggling school schedules, 11+ preparation, and supporting them emotionally through the process. It can feel like a lot, but 11+ tuition doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With KSOL’s personalised online tests and flexible routines, your child can tackle their 11+ study in manageable steps. Here’s an insightful look at what a typical day might look like for a Year 5 student preparing for the 11+ exam, along with some helpful tips to keep you feeling informed and confident!
A Typical Day in the Life of a Year 5 Student:
7:00 AM – Rise and Shine!
The day starts with a nutritious breakfast, whether it’s cereal, toast, or porridge, to keep energy levels steady. A healthy breakfast has been shown to boost memory and concentration, setting the right tone for a productive day ahead. Try to avoid high-sugar foods so your child doesn't experience a sugar crash while learning.
Tip: Some light morning brain exercises, like a quick word puzzle or mental maths, can be a great way to warm up for the day ahead.
8:30 AM – School Time!
During school hours, your child is sharpening their core skills: reading, writing, and Maths. While 11+ preparation happens mainly outside of school, these lessons help build essential skills like critical thinking, vocabulary, and problem-solving, which are crucial for the exam. Research shows that 88% of students who stay engaged in their school subjects see improvement in their 11+ performance.
4:00 PM – KSOL Time!
After school, it’s time for daily 11+ study with KSOL’s weekly topic videos and personalised online test. These quick 30-45-minute sessions, from Monday to Friday, ensure your child practices consistently without feeling overwhelmed. KSOL’s personalised online course adapts to their level, offering the right amount of challenge and ensuring they make steady progress.
Did You Know? A study from Cambridge University shows consistent practice can boost test scores by up to 20%! Daily engagement builds confidence and improves performance over time.
5:00 PM – Quick Review Session
After the test, it’s time for a review. KSOL’s 11+ online platform provides great feedback, allowing your child to see what they missed and how to improve. The history tab makes it easy to access explanations and dive deeper into tricky concepts, ensuring they fully understand before moving on.
6:00 PM – Time to Unwind & Family Time
Balance is key! After some focused work, it’s time to let off steam. Whether it’s playing outside, pursuing a hobby, or simply relaxing, this time allows your child to recharge. Studies show that children who engage in at least an hour of physical activity a day tend to perform better academically.
Dinner is a chance to wind down and connect with family. It’s helpful to keep the conversation light and avoid exam talk to reduce stress. A balanced meal rich in protein and vegetables helps keep your child’s energy levels consistent as they finish the day.
8:00 PM – Light Reading & Off to Bed
Before bed, a quick 20-30-minute session of light reading is a great way to round up the day’s learning. Whether it’s reviewing vocabulary or reading for fun, it’s an easy and enjoyable way to help build imagination, creativity and vocabulary.
Tip: Encouraging reading for pleasure can naturally improve your child’s comprehension skills, an important part of the 11+ exam.
By 8:30, it’s time to get some rest. Sleep is essential for memory retention and focus, helping your child stay sharp and refreshed for the next day. Children in this age group should get around 9-11 hours of sleep each night and avoid looking at digital screens before bed.
Support with KSOL’s Flexible 11+ Preparation
At KSOL, we offer flexible online courses that support your child from Year 3 right up to the 11+ exam. Our qualified tutors, combined with TargetTeach® technology, ensure your child gets personalised, day-by-day preparation that fits into their schedule and learning pace. Our Year 5 online courses are perfect for busy families, offering flexible daily online tests that fit around your child's schedule. If needed, they can easily catch up on any missed work over the weekend.
This blog provides a general guide to a typical day in the life of a Year 5 student preparing for the 11+. Please keep in mind that every child's routine and needs are unique; this timeline is meant as a rough guideline to help structure your child’s day.
Take advantage of our personalised Year 5 online courses by visiting our website, www.ksol.co.uk, or call our specialist team at 0121 733 6558 to help your child today, and get them ready to ace the September 2025 entrance exam!