Embarking on the 11+ Plus Entrance Exam journey with your Year 5 child? As parents, you play a crucial role in guiding and supporting your child through this process. We’ve put together a ‘KSOL tutor checklist’, to ensure your child is confidently prepared at this stage.
- Start a Word Bank of New Vocabulary
Why does it matter? Vocabulary is a critical component of the 11 Plus Exam. A strong vocabulary helps in both the verbal reasoning and comprehension sections of the exam.
What can I do? Ignite a love for words! Encourage your child to start a word bank, listing unfamiliar words that they come across and their meanings from a dictionary. This could be a notebook or digital document that they can refer to.
- Regular and Diverse Reading
Why does it matter? Regular reading is the key to unlocking a love for vocabulary and building comprehension skills.
What can I do? Try to ensure your child is reading a range of genres, authors and subject matter. Every page turned is a step forward, and will best prepare your child for any and every eventuality. Also, talk to your child about what they have read- can they tell you something about the character, or setting?
- Master the Fractions Conversions Wall
Why does it matter? Fractions are a significant part of the math section in the 11 Plus exam, and children must understand how to convert between different fractions.
What can I do? If your child studies with KSOL, utilise the fractions conversions sheet provided to help your child understand and memorise key concepts.
- Understanding BODMAS
Why does it matter? BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction) is a fundamental concept in maths for the 11+ Exam and beyond.
What can I do? Practise BODMAS problems to help your child understand the order of operations within maths.
5. The NVR (Non-Verbal Reasoning) Checklist
Why does it matter? Non-verbal reasoning is a key component of the 11+ exam and children must be confident with the different NVR topics in order to succeed.
What can I do? If your child studies with KSOL, familiarise them with the NVR checklist and practise using it in sample questions. If your child could benefit from additional practice, we have two different NVR activity packs available to purchase, which will help build your child’s skills!
Additional Tips for Parents:
Stay Involved: Regularly check in with your child’s progress and provide moral support. If your child studies with KSOL, ensure you read through the regular progress reports you receive from their allocated tutor, so you know how they’re getting on.
Create a Study Schedule: A structured routine can help your child manage their time effectively. 
Encourage Breaks and Leisure Time: Balance is key. Ensure your child has time for relaxation and hobbies.
Remember, every child’s journey is unique. Your unwavering support and encouragement are the keys to unlocking their potential and helping them soar in the 11 Plus Exam.
