Vocabulary is the single biggest predictor of 11+ success across all subjects — yes, even maths and reasoning. But word lists alone don't work; children forget them within a week.
Where vocabulary really grows
From reading. A child reading 15 pages of a novel each day meets around 200 different words — many of them new, all of them in context. That's how vocabulary sticks.
A 30-minute daily plan
- 20 minutes reading fiction or non-fiction.
- 5 minutes writing down 3 unfamiliar words from the day's reading.
- 5 minutes short vocabulary drill — synonyms, antonyms, meaning-in-context. Practice now with our vocabulary bank to try this.
Why context beats flashcards
Words have shades of meaning that lists can't capture. "Conceal" and "hide" look like synonyms — but you'd "hide" under a duvet, not "conceal" yourself there. The 11+ tests these shades constantly.