Entrance Exam Preparation for Independent Schools (11+ Guide)
As soon as your child starts Year 6, it’s important to begin researching the independent schools you are interested in. Each school will have its own application deadlines, entrance exam dates and requirements, so contacting them early can make a big difference.
Make sure you request all necessary application forms, whether they are online or paper-based, and submit them before the deadline. Staying organised at this stage helps ensure you don’t miss key dates and gives you enough time to prepare for the next steps.
Most entrance exams tend to take place between January and February, although this can vary depending on the school.
Application Process
As soon as your child starts Year 6, it’s important to begin researching the independent schools you are interested in. Each school will have its own application deadlines, entrance exam dates and requirements, so contacting them early can make a big difference.
Make sure you request all necessary application forms, whether they are online or paper-based, and submit them before the deadline. Staying organised at this stage helps ensure you don’t miss key dates and gives you enough time to prepare for the next steps.
Most entrance exams tend to take place between January and February, although this can vary depending on the school.
Fees/bursaries
Independent school fees can vary significantly depending on the school, and it’s completely natural for cost to be a key consideration when making your decision.
Many schools do offer bursaries or scholarships, which can provide financial support based on either academic ability or household income. This can make independent education more accessible than many parents initially expect.
If you are considering applying for a bursary, you will usually need to complete an additional application form. It’s always best to contact the school directly to understand what support is available and how the process works.
Exam
Entrance exams are usually held around January, although this can vary depending on the school.
While these exams are designed to assess a child’s overall academic ability, preparation at home can make a real difference to confidence and performance.
One of the most effective ways to support your child is by practising sample papers together. There are many 11+ resources available, both free and paid, which can help them become familiar with the types of questions they may face and how to manage their time under exam conditions.
Most entrance exams include four key areas: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and Maths.
Interview
Once the entrance exams are complete, your child will usually be invited to attend an interview at the school. This is a chance for them to show their personality, interests and how they communicate, rather than just their academic ability.
Preparation is key here. The more familiar your child is with common questions, the more confident they will feel on the day. Practising answers out loud can make a noticeable difference.
Some common interview questions include:
- Tell me about your family
- What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
- What are you most proud of?
- What sports or activities are you interested in?
- What is your favourite subject?
- What is your least favourite subject?
- Why do you want to join this school?
- What can you contribute to the school community?
- What book are you currently reading?
- Who is your favourite character and why?
- Can you recommend a book you’ve enjoyed?
When practising answers, encourage your child to expand their responses rather than giving one-word answers. A simple way to do this is to get them to explain their thinking using words like “because” or “so that…”.
For example, instead of saying “I like maths”, they could say “I like maths because I enjoy solving problems and finding different ways to reach an answer”.
A helpful way to support your child during interview practice is to encourage them to avoid one-word answers. Instead, get them into the habit of explaining their thinking by adding phrases like “because” or “so that”.
This helps them build fuller, more confident responses and shows the interviewer how they think, not just what they know.
Most importantly, remind your child that the interview is not about being perfect. It’s about showing who they are, what they enjoy, and how they approach learning. With a bit of preparation and encouragement at home, they’ll feel far more comfortable on the day.
