Advice for parents
Straight answers to the questions parents of 7 to 11-year-olds ask: the 11+ and other tests, learning at home, the right kit, and growing up with AI.
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When should my child start preparing for the 11+?Earlier than most parents think, but lighter. Build the basics from Year 3, add the 11+ question types in Year 5, and don't miss the registration date.4 minute read
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How to prepare for the 11+ at home without a tutorPlenty of children pass with a parent, a plan and short daily practice. What a tutor adds, how to do each part at home, and the few books worth buying.4 minute read
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11+ pass marks and scores, explained simplyThere's usually no fixed pass mark. How 11+ scores are worked out, what qualifying means, and the scores that count in Kent, Bucks and other areas.3 minute read
11+ and entrance exams
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Best books for 11+ vocabularyThe novels that grow a child's vocabulary at ages 8 to 11, the word books worth buying, and five small habits that make new words stick.2 minute read
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The best 11+ practice papersStart with the free official papers, add one series made for your child's test, and use them the right way. What to buy, and when to start.3 minute read
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The last month before the 11+Timed papers in your test's format, then lighter. How to use the answer sheet, what to bring, and how to keep the last few days calm.2 minute read
Other tests and competitions
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CAT4 explainedCAT4 is a reasoning test schools use to plan teaching and set classes. Its four parts, how it's scored, and how to help your child do their best on the day.4 minute read
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Maths competitions for primary childrenThe four maths competitions UK children in Years 3 to 6 can enter, when they usually run, how to enter through school, and how to practise with past papers.4 minute read
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Primary and First Maths ChallengeThe First Maths Challenge is for Years 3 and 4 in June, the Primary Maths Challenge for Years 5 and 6 in November. Format, certificates, entry and practice.4 minute read
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The Bebras ChallengeBebras is a free 45-minute set of online logic puzzles that schools run each November for ages 6 to 19. The age groups, a sample puzzle and how to practise.4 minute read
Learning at home
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Films for vocabulary and writingThirteen U and PG films for ages 7 to 11 with rich language, vivid settings and books to read alongside, and how to turn film night into writing practice.4 minute read
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Audiobooks and podcasts for vocabularySeven audiobooks with brilliant narrators, six podcasts for 7 to 11s, how to borrow audiobooks free from your library, and three word games for the car.4 minute read
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Board and card games for thinking skillsBoard and card games that give children hours of fun practice at number facts, words, shapes and logic, the skills reasoning tests rely on. Our picks by skill.4 minute read
Kit and kit lists
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Best pencils and kit for the 11+Three sharp HB pencils, a soft plastic eraser and a tub sharpener in a clear pencil case. Why each one matters, our picks, and what's not allowed.4 minute read
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Best pens for children's handwritingA chunky or triangular pencil, then a pen with a shaped grip and ink that dries fast. Our picks for ages 7 to 11, left-handers and tight grippers.4 minute read
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What to put in a school pencil caseThe everyday pencil case for Years 3 to 6: HB pencils, a plastic eraser, a tub sharpener, a cm and mm ruler, and a protractor from Year 5. Our pick for each.4 minute read
AI and the future
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Fun AI projects to make togetherTurn your child's story into a picture book, build a video game together, bring a drawing to life. Eight AI projects for a parent and a 7 to 11-year-old.4 minute read
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Raising AI-ready childrenWhat being AI-ready means for a 7 to 11-year-old: making things with AI, questioning it and strong basics. Plus the best free tools and family rules.3 minute read
Try Rush free today.
41 quick 11+ games for iPhone and iPad, 100 seconds each. Six are free for good.
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