A good 11-plus revision timetable does one job: it turns a vague sense of "we should be doing more" into a small, repeatable set of slots that fit around school, hobbies and family life. This guide gives you three ready-to-use plans - a relaxed 12-month build-up, a focused 6-month push and an intensive final-term (3-month) version - plus a printable template you can key to your own exam date. Everything here works with Quest Arena's free worksheets and free timed mocks, so you can follow the whole plan at zero cost.
Which plan should you start?
Pick the plan based on how far you are from the test, not on panic. Most UK grammar tests sit in September of Year 6, so count backwards from there. Benchmark to your child's classroom level too: if they are working at the expected standard, the 12-month plan (starting in Year 5 autumn) is ample; if they are already exceeding it, you can start lighter and later. In high-competition regions (Kent, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham, Gloucestershire and similar), lean towards the earlier start.
- 12-month plan - begin Year 5 autumn. Little-and-often, roughly 2-3 hours a week, ramping later.
- 6-month plan - begin spring of Year 5 or over the summer. Around 3-4 hours a week, more timed work.
- 3-month plan - the Year 6 summer holiday and autumn run-in. 4-6 hours a week, exam-style throughout.
The weekly-hours ramp
Hours should rise gradually as the exam approaches - never a sudden cram. Use this as a guide and dial back if you see burnout signs (tears, avoidance, careless errors on easy questions).
| Months to exam | Weekly hours | Emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| 12-9 | 2-3 | Topic learning, reading, mental maths |
| 8-5 | 3-4 | Mixed topics, introduce timing |
| 4-2 | 4-5 | Full exam-style papers and mocks |
| Final 4 weeks | 5-6 | Polish, weak-spot targeting, taper before test day |
See how much daily practice actually helps for the evidence behind "consistency beats intensity".
A sample week you can copy
The golden rule is one paper or one skill per day, kept short enough to finish well. Build in rest days - a tired child learns nothing. Here is a balanced week covering all four skill areas: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning (VR) and Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR).
| Day | Slot (20-40 min) |
|---|---|
| Monday | Maths topic practice |
| Tuesday | Verbal Reasoning set |
| Wednesday | English comprehension + 10 spellings |
| Thursday | Non-Verbal Reasoning set |
| Friday | Review the week's mistakes (no new material) |
| Saturday | Short timed mini-mock |
| Sunday | Rest - reading for pleasure only |
The Friday review slot matters most: it is where progress actually happens. Keep an errors log and revisit the same question type until it clicks. Our step-by-step revision plan shows how to structure each slot.
Build a visible timetable the child owns
A plan the child cannot see is a plan for the parent, not the pupil. Print a blank weekly grid, let your child colour-code the subjects and tick off completed slots. Ownership drives motivation far better than nagging. Motivate by age: younger children respond to short-term goals, stickers and specific praise ("you spotted the pattern quickly"); older children respond to autonomy and longer-term goals, so let them choose which slot goes on which day.
Protect well-being while you are at it. Keep hobbies, sport and social time in the diary, cap screens (for example none after 7pm), and never let revision swallow the whole weekend. A rested, confident child outperforms an over-drilled, anxious one every time.
Where mocks fit the timetable
Mocks are diagnostic tools, not just rehearsals. Aim for a baseline mock early, then progress mocks every 2-3 weeks, with a final mock about two weeks before the real test.
- Baseline mock - take one early to find weak areas. Start free with a Quest Arena timed mock.
- Progress mocks - every 2-3 weeks; review, don't cram. Read using mock papers effectively.
- Exam-hall practice - a large-cohort centre mock desensitises your child to crowds, unfamiliar venues and timing pressure.
Between mocks, target the specific weak skill rather than re-sitting whole papers. That is where free unlimited retries help: the pressure of "one shot" drops away when a child can try a question type ten times without cost or judgement.
Exam technique to rehearse in every slot
Because GL papers are multiple-choice, tightly timed and calculator-free, technique is trainable at home. Rehearse these in ordinary practice so they become automatic:
- Move on and return. If a question stalls you for more than about a minute, mark it and come back. One hard VR question is worth the same as one easy one.
- Educated guessing. Where there is no negative marking, never leave a blank - eliminate options and choose.
- Watch the clock in chunks. Know roughly how many questions should be done at the halfway point.
Drill these against the real formats on our GL practice papers. For Essex families, the CSSE format differs - always confirm your target school's board.
The night before and exam morning
No intensive study the night before. Pack the bag, lay out clothes and equipment, and prioritise an early, good-quality sleep. On the morning, keep your own mood calm - children absorb parental nerves - offer a balanced breakfast (avoid a sugar high that crashes mid-paper), keep them hydrated and arrive early. A short breathing exercise and a simple mantra ("I am prepared, I can handle this") settles nerves in the last few minutes.
A note on the current exam landscape
Since CEM's separate paper 11-plus was withdrawn around 2022-2023, GL Assessment is now the dominant board across most grammar regions, with ISEB's Common Pre-Test used by many independents. Scores are standardised and age-adjusted, so a summer-born child is not disadvantaged against an autumn-born classmate. Never rely on a rumoured "pass mark" - cut-offs move with oversubscription each year. Check your specific consortium's format on our grammar schools guide and note key deadlines on the 11-plus dates page.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours a day should my child do?
Little and often wins. Around 20-40 focused minutes on a school day, building to slightly more near the exam, beats long weekend marathons. Total weekly hours matter more than any single session.
Do I need a tutor to follow this plan?
No. A structured self-study routine using free worksheets and timed mocks covers what most families need. Consider a tutor only for a stubborn, specific weak spot the child cannot crack at home - and keep the help light so independence grows.
What if my child doesn't pass?
Accept the offered school place first to secure a spot, then weigh a waiting list or an appeal (grounds-based, tight deadlines, under-50% success typically). A "no" is not a verdict on your child - strong comprehensives and other pathways lead to excellent outcomes.