The hardest part of 11+ preparation is often not finding another worksheet. It is deciding which worksheet deserves the next 20 minutes.
A readiness scorecard can turn vague concerns such as “Maths seems a bit weak” into a specific next action. It should not predict whether a child will win a grammar-school place. It should simply point practice towards the area most likely to help.
Part 1: foundations
Score each statement 0, 1 or 2.
0 = not yet secure, 1 = developing, 2 = usually secure.
- Times tables and basic number facts are reasonably fluent.
- Fractions, decimals and percentages are familiar.
- The child can read a challenging passage and explain the main idea.
- Vocabulary can often be inferred from context.
- The main Verbal Reasoning question families are familiar.
- The main Non-Verbal Reasoning families are familiar.
A low foundation score suggests targeted worksheets should come before frequent full mocks.
Part 2: independence and accuracy
Score 0–2:
- The child can begin most practice without constant adult prompting.
- They show working when it helps.
- They read negative words and units carefully.
- They can explain why a wrong answer was wrong.
- They change answers only when there is a reason.
If this area is weak, focus on process and error correction rather than simply increasing difficulty.
Part 3: timing
Score 0–2:
If timing is the weak section, short drills will not fix it on their own; a full paper under proper conditions will show where the time goes. free timed mock papers
- Short timed sets can be completed without a major accuracy collapse.
- The child can move on from a question when genuinely stuck.
- They usually reach most of an appropriate timed paper.
- They can use an answer sheet accurately where required.
- They have a simple final-minutes checking routine.
A low timing score with strong foundations means timed sections and mocks should become a bigger part of preparation.
Part 4: exam familiarity
Score 0–2:
- We know the target school or region.
- We have confirmed the current exam format from an official source.
- The child has practised the likely answer style.
- Registration/deadline information has been checked.
- At least one realistic mock has been reviewed properly.
A low score here is an information problem, not an academic one. Fix the target before adding more generic practice.
Interpret the score by section, not total
Do not add everything into one dramatic “readiness percentage”. The pattern matters more.
Low foundations, high timing: stop overtesting and teach the missing skills.
High foundations, low timing: add short timed sets and full mocks progressively.
High scores, weak exam familiarity: confirm the correct format and use centre-specific rehearsal.
Repeated process errors: build an error log and checking routine.
Create the next three actions
After completing the scorecard, write only three tasks.
Example:
1. Two Developing-level fraction worksheets.
2. One timed comprehension section with evidence checking.
3. One centre-specific mock next weekend.
That is a useful output. “Revise more” is not.
Re-score monthly
A readiness scorecard should change as the child learns. Repeat it every four to six weeks and look for movement between sections.
If foundations improve but timing falls when papers become harder, adjust. If timing improves but vocabulary becomes the new bottleneck, redirect.
Turn the scorecard into an interactive EduArchives tool
On the website, each low-scoring answer can link directly to the most relevant free resource:
Maths foundation weak → Maths worksheets
Comprehension weak → English worksheets
Timing weak → timed mocks
Target exam unclear → exam guides
Specific centre known → centre mocks
This makes the tool useful even before a parent creates an account.
Start with the next useful task
EduArchives provides the full pathway from targeted worksheets to timed mocks and exam-specific practice. The scorecard's purpose is to choose the next step, not to label the child.
Try a timed mock: mocks
Check the exam format: exam guides
Frequently asked questions
What is a good 11+ readiness score?
There should not be one universal total. A section-based score is more useful because it shows whether the next priority is knowledge, timing, process or exam familiarity.
Can an online readiness tool predict a pass?
It should not claim to. Real outcomes depend on the actual test, standardisation, competition and admissions rules. Use the tool to guide practice.
How often should we reassess?
Every four to six weeks is usually enough to see whether targeted work has changed the pattern without constantly testing the child.