https://grammarprep.uk/blog Parent-facing guides on UK 11+ grammar-school entry, exam boards, regional admissions and the wider KS2-to-GCSE exam journey. en-GB Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://grammarprep.uk/blog/ks2-sats-2027-dates-and-timetable https://grammarprep.uk/blog/ks2-sats-2027-dates-and-timetable Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 When are the 2027 KS2 SATs? The expected date window, the day-by-day paper timetable, when results arrive, and what parents need to do at each stage. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/year-11-mocks-2027-parent-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/year-11-mocks-2027-parent-guide Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 When are Year 11 mock exams in 2027? The usual November and February windows, what schools use the grades for, and how to help without adding pressure. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/grammar-school-vs-comprehensive-honest-comparison https://grammarprep.uk/blog/grammar-school-vs-comprehensive-honest-comparison Sun, 26 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Is a grammar school actually better for your child? An honest look at outcomes, selection effects, wellbeing and fit — including when a comprehensive wins. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/starting-11-plus-in-year-4 https://grammarprep.uk/blog/starting-11-plus-in-year-4 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Year 4 is the ideal time to start 11+ preparation — if you do the right things. What to cover, what to avoid, and a realistic week that won't burn anyone out. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/bexley-11-plus-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/bexley-11-plus-guide Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 How the Bexley 11+ works — the Bexley Selection Test, the borough's four grammar schools, registration and results, and how competitive places really are. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/medway-test-11-plus-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/medway-test-11-plus-guide Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Medway runs its own 11+, separate from the Kent Test. The papers, the six Medway grammar schools, registration, and how to prepare for both if you need to. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-sen-access-arrangements-extra-time https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-sen-access-arrangements-extra-time Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Can your child get extra time in the 11+? How access arrangements work for SEN, dyslexia and medical needs — evidence required, deadlines, and how to apply. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/summer-born-children-11-plus-age-standardisation https://grammarprep.uk/blog/summer-born-children-11-plus-age-standardisation Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Are summer-born children disadvantaged in the 11+? How age standardisation works, what it does and doesn't fix, and how to prepare a younger-in-year child. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/south-west-herts-11-plus-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/south-west-herts-11-plus-guide Sat, 18 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Hertfordshire has no grammar schools — but the South West Herts consortium allocates places at Watford Grammar and four other schools by test. How it works. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/lancashire-11-plus-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/lancashire-11-plus-guide Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Lancashire's four grammars each run their own 11+ — how Lancaster Royal, Lancaster Girls', Clitheroe Royal and BRGS test, register and how to prepare. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/devon-plymouth-11-plus-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/devon-plymouth-11-plus-guide Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 How selective entry works in Devon — Colyton Grammar School and Plymouth's three grammars, why there's no single Devon test, and how to plan preparation. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-common-mistakes-parents-make https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-common-mistakes-parents-make Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 The ten 11+ preparation mistakes we see most — wrong-board practice, volume over accuracy, mock-score panic, score talk at home — and the fix for each. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-glossary-key-terms-explained https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-glossary-key-terms-explained Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Plain-English definitions of every term parents meet during the 11+ — SAS and standardisation, super-selective, PAN, CAF, qualifying score, appeals and more. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-english-comprehension-worked-examples https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-english-comprehension-worked-examples Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Six worked 11+ comprehension questions on an original passage — retrieval, inference, vocabulary-in-context and writer's-technique, with the method narrated. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-books-vs-online-practice https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-books-vs-online-practice Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Bond, CGP and Schofield & Sims books or an adaptive online platform? What each does better, where each fails, and the hybrid plan most families land on. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/best-online-11-plus-platforms-compared https://grammarprep.uk/blog/best-online-11-plus-platforms-compared Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 An honest parent's guide to choosing an online 11+ platform — adaptive engines, exam-board coverage, reporting and pricing traps, with named options compared. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-final-eight-weeks-plan https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-final-eight-weeks-plan Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A calm, realistic week-by-week plan for the last eight weeks before a September 11+ — what to practise, when to taper, and what to stop doing. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/sutton-11-plus-super-selective-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/sutton-11-plus-super-selective-guide Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A parent's guide to Sutton's super-selective grammars — Wilson's, Wallington, Sutton Grammar and Nonsuch — covering stages, testing and competition. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/kingston-tiffin-11-plus-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/kingston-tiffin-11-plus-guide Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A clear guide to the Tiffin School and Tiffin Girls' 11+ in Kingston — their English and Maths tests, stages, and how distance affects offers. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/grammar-school-catchment-areas-explained https://grammarprep.uk/blog/grammar-school-catchment-areas-explained Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 How grammar school catchment areas work, how they differ from super-selective admissions, and why distance can matter as much as your child's test score. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-appeals-how-to-appeal-a-place https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-appeals-how-to-appeal-a-place Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A practical guide to 11+ appeals — the independent panel process, grounds for appeal, timelines after 1 March, waiting lists and how to prepare your case. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/warwickshire-11-plus-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/warwickshire-11-plus-guide Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A parent's guide to the Warwickshire 11+: the grammar schools, the shared consortium test, GL-style formats, and how catchment and out-of-area places work. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/gloucestershire-11-plus-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/gloucestershire-11-plus-guide Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Your guide to the Gloucestershire 11+: the county's grammar schools, its own test arrangements, GL-style formats, and how competitive entry really is. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-spelling-punctuation-and-grammar https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-spelling-punctuation-and-grammar Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 How spelling, punctuation and grammar show up across 11+ English — comprehension, cloze, proofreading and writing — plus common errors and how to practise. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-applying-to-multiple-schools https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-applying-to-multiple-schools Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Strategy for registering for several 11+ grammar schools: managing different boards and dates, the Common Application Form, and ranking preferences. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-reading-list-books-for-comprehension https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-reading-list-books-for-comprehension Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Wide reading reliably lifts 11+ comprehension, vocabulary and writing. A practical reading list: classics, modern fiction, non-fiction and poetry. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-vocabulary-building-and-word-lists https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-vocabulary-building-and-word-lists Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Vocabulary is the hidden lever behind 11+ verbal reasoning and comprehension. How to build it deliberately — word journals, wide reading and morphology. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/iseb-common-pre-test-independent-schools-explained https://grammarprep.uk/blog/iseb-common-pre-test-independent-schools-explained Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 How independent senior schools assess at 11+: the ISEB Common Pre-Test, CAT4 and interviews, how they differ from grammar 11+ exams, and how to prepare. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/birmingham-11-plus-king-edward-vi-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/birmingham-11-plus-king-edward-vi-guide Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A parent's guide to the Birmingham 11+ and the King Edward VI grammar consortium — what the test covers, the two-stage process, key dates and how to prepare. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-summer-holiday-preparation https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-summer-holiday-preparation Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 How to use the summer holidays before the September 11+ without burnout — a six-week plan covering mock exams, weak-spot work, reading and real rest. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-registration-deadlines-how-to-apply https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-registration-deadlines-how-to-apply Sat, 13 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 When and how to register for the 11+ in 2027: region-by-region deadlines, and why registering for the test differs from applying for a school place. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/from-sats-to-gcse-one-learning-journey https://grammarprep.uk/blog/from-sats-to-gcse-one-learning-journey Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Why continuous practice data from Year 5 to Year 11 matters — and what families lose when they restart with a new tutor or app at every stage. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/gcse-english-language-explained-for-parents https://grammarprep.uk/blog/gcse-english-language-explained-for-parents Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 What the two GCSE English Language papers test, how AQA structures reading and writing tasks, and practical ways to support preparation at home. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/gcse-maths-revision-that-actually-works https://grammarprep.uk/blog/gcse-maths-revision-that-actually-works Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Why spaced practice beats cramming, why past papers alone aren't enough, and how to plan a realistic revision schedule for Years 10 and 11 GCSE Maths. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/ks3-gap-years-keeping-progress-alive https://grammarprep.uk/blog/ks3-gap-years-keeping-progress-alive Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Why children's progress often stalls after KS2, what 'keeping warm' practice looks like in Years 7–9, and how early habits set the stage for GCSE success. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/sats-and-11-plus-same-year https://grammarprep.uk/blog/sats-and-11-plus-same-year Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 How Year 5 and 6 families manage SATs and 11+ prep together — where the curricula overlap, where they diverge, and a single practice routine that covers both. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/ks2-sats-2027-parent-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/ks2-sats-2027-parent-guide Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 What the KS2 SATs test, when they happen, how scaled scores from 80 to 120 work, and how to support your child's preparation without adding stress. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-weaknesses-diagnostic-and-closing-the-gap https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-weaknesses-diagnostic-and-closing-the-gap Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A diagnostic-first method for 11+ preparation: how to find your child's three weakest topics and close the gap before exam day — practical and parent-tested. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-exam-boards-strategy-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-exam-boards-strategy-guide Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 How to choose your 11+ preparation strategy by exam board — GL, CEM or CSSE — and what changes for your child based on which paper they will actually sit. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-revision-timetable-year-5-and-6 https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-revision-timetable-year-5-and-6 Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A realistic weekly 11+ revision timetable for Years 5 and 6 — how much, how often, and how to balance practice with family life, sleep and school work. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-anxiety-managing-exam-stress https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-anxiety-managing-exam-stress Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Practical, parent-tested ways to manage 11+ exam anxiety — recognising the signs, what to say (and not say), and how to keep your child confident on test day. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-independent-vs-grammar-school https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-independent-vs-grammar-school Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 How families decide between a state grammar school and an independent school at 11+ — costs, exam-format differences, and how to prepare for both routes. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-results-what-happens-next https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-results-what-happens-next Sat, 23 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 When 11+ results arrive, what the scores mean, how grammar places are actually allocated, and what to do whether your child qualifies or just misses out. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/super-selective-grammar-schools-explained https://grammarprep.uk/blog/super-selective-grammar-schools-explained Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 What 'super-selective' really means, how the pass mark differs from a standard grammar, and how to prepare if your child is aiming for one of these schools. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/non-verbal-reasoning-11-plus-worked-examples https://grammarprep.uk/blog/non-verbal-reasoning-11-plus-worked-examples Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A practical, worked-through guide to the most common 11+ non-verbal reasoning question types, with worked examples and solving methods. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/gl-vs-cem-11-plus-2027-what-changed https://grammarprep.uk/blog/gl-vs-cem-11-plus-2027-what-changed Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 CEM withdrew from paper-based 11+ testing in 2023. Most former CEM regions have moved to GL Assessment or to their own consortium-commissioned tests. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-mock-exam-schedule-when-how-many https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-mock-exam-schedule-when-how-many Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A practical mock-exam plan for the 11+: how many mocks to sit, when to start, how to debrief, and how to avoid the most common mistake parents make. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-maths-worked-examples https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-maths-worked-examples Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Twelve worked 11+ maths examples across the topics that separate strong candidates — fractions, ratio, percentages, area and multi-step word problems. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-practice-papers-how-to-use https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-practice-papers-how-to-use Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Practice papers only help if you use them well. A clear method for timing, marking and learning from 11+ practice papers — without burning your child out. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/verbal-reasoning-11-plus-worked-examples https://grammarprep.uk/blog/verbal-reasoning-11-plus-worked-examples Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Fifteen worked 11+ verbal reasoning examples across the main GL question types, each with a clear step-by-step method your child can copy and reuse. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-creative-writing-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-creative-writing-guide Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 How to prepare your child for 11+ creative writing and composition — what examiners reward, the common mistakes, and a simple weekly practice routine. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/reading-berkshire-11-plus-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/reading-berkshire-11-plus-guide Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Everything Reading and Berkshire parents need to know about Kendrick School and Reading School — formats, dates, and how to prepare. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/trafford-11-plus-2027-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/trafford-11-plus-2027-guide Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A complete guide to the Trafford 11+ test for 2027 entry — exam format, the six Trafford grammar schools, registration dates, and qualifying scores. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/essex-csse-test-2027-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/essex-csse-test-2027-guide Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) sets a unique 11+ — English and Maths only, free-response, sat in September. The full guide for 2027. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/self-study-11-plus-without-tutor https://grammarprep.uk/blog/self-study-11-plus-without-tutor Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Many children pass the 11+ without a tutor. This guide walks through what it actually takes — the parental commitment, the materials, and the schedule. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-vs-common-entrance https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-vs-common-entrance Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 The 11+ and Common Entrance are different exams set by different organisations for different schools. Here's how to tell which one your child is sitting. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-exam-day-parent-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-exam-day-parent-guide Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A calm, practical parent guide to 11+ exam day — the week before, the morning routine, what to bring, what happens at school, and how to manage stress. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-english-comprehension-techniques https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-english-comprehension-techniques Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A practical breakdown of the six 11+ comprehension question types — what each tests, common traps, and the techniques that improve scores fastest. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/buckinghamshire-11-plus-2027-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/buckinghamshire-11-plus-2027-guide Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A clear parent guide to the Bucks 11+ for 2027 entry — format, registration, qualifying score, the 13 TBGS grammar schools, allocation rules, and appeals. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-pass-marks-sas-explained https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-pass-marks-sas-explained Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 What does an 11+ pass mark really mean? A clear guide to Standardised Age Scores, regional cut-offs, and how to read your child's mock exam results. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-tutoring-cost-2027 https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-tutoring-cost-2027 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Honest 11+ tutoring costs for 2027 — hourly rates, full-year totals, hidden extras, and how platform-based prep compares for families on a budget. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/kent-grammar-schools-list-2027 https://grammarprep.uk/blog/kent-grammar-schools-list-2027 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Every Kent grammar school by district, the difference between standard and super-selective thresholds, and how to choose the right school for your child. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/kent-test-dates-2027 https://grammarprep.uk/blog/kent-test-dates-2027 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 When does the Kent Test happen in 2027? Registration windows, likely exam dates, results day, and the appeal timeline — based on Kent's published patterns. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/non-verbal-reasoning-11-plus-explained https://grammarprep.uk/blog/non-verbal-reasoning-11-plus-explained Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A parent-first guide to 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning — what it tests, why it's on the paper, the main question types, and how to practise without drilling. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/free-11-plus-resources https://grammarprep.uk/blog/free-11-plus-resources Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 An honest guide to the free 11+ resources that are genuinely worth your time — past papers, vocabulary tools, diagnostic assessments, and more. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/when-to-start-11-plus-prep https://grammarprep.uk/blog/when-to-start-11-plus-prep Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A school-year timeline showing exactly when to start 11+ preparation, what to cover in Year 3, 4, 5, and 6, and how to taper into the exam without burnout. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-maths-topics-complete-list https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-maths-topics-complete-list Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Every 11+ Maths topic your child needs — from number and place value to ratio, algebra, and problem-solving — with practical mastery tips for each. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/exam-boards-gl-cem-csse-compared https://grammarprep.uk/blog/exam-boards-gl-cem-csse-compared Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A side-by-side comparison of the three main 11+ exam boards — GL Assessment, CEM, and CSSE — with region-by-region coverage and preparation implications. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/kent-test-2026-preparation-guide https://grammarprep.uk/blog/kent-test-2026-preparation-guide Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A calm, practical month-by-month plan for preparing your child for the Kent Test in 2026 — what to cover, when to start, and how to avoid last-minute panic. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/best-11-plus-resources-2027 https://grammarprep.uk/blog/best-11-plus-resources-2027 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 An honest comparison of books, online platforms, tutors, and free resources for 11+ preparation — with recommendations for every budget. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/verbal-reasoning-tips-for-11-plus https://grammarprep.uk/blog/verbal-reasoning-tips-for-11-plus Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Verbal reasoning is the subject most parents find confusing. Here's a clear breakdown of GL and CEM VR question types with practical tips for each. https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-preparation-guide-2027 https://grammarprep.uk/blog/11-plus-preparation-guide-2027 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Everything you need to know about preparing your child for the 11+ exam in 2027 — timelines, subjects, exam boards, and a month-by-month study plan.