10+ and 11+ Entrance Exams: What Is the Difference?
If you are exploring selective school options for your child, you may have come across both 10+ and 11+ entrance exams. Although they assess some similar skills, they are not the same route.
The main differences usually relate to:
The age at which your child takes the assessment
The year of entry
The type of school involved
The subjects and question styles used
The amount and type of preparation needed
There is no single national 10+ or 11+ examination. Requirements can vary significantly by school, year group and examination provider. Each school, region or admissions body may set different requirements, and these can change over time. Before beginning a focused preparation programme, always check the school’s current admissions information and assessment details.
For families in Morden, Cheam and surrounding areas, understanding the broad differences can make the planning process much clearer.
What Is The 10+ Entrance Exam?
A 10+ entrance exam is generally used for earlier entry to an independent school. Depending on the school, this may mean entry into Year 6 or another point before the usual senior school transition.
The assessment is often taken when a child is in Year 5, although the exact age, year group and timing can vary. Some independent schools offer places at this stage, while others may not have a 10+ entry route at all.
A 10+ assessment may include elements of:
English
Maths
Reading comprehension
Verbal reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Creative writing or written expression
However, the content and format are school-specific. One school may focus mainly on English and Maths, while another may include reasoning or an interview as part of a wider assessment process.
The purpose is usually to understand whether a child is ready for the academic and pastoral environment of the school. This means that strong foundations, clear communication and a positive attitude towards learning are all important.
What Is The 11+ Entrance Exam?
The 11+ is most commonly associated with entry into Year 7. It may be used by grammar schools, selective state schools and independent senior schools.
As with the 10+, there is no single version of the 11+ used by every school. Requirements can differ significantly according to the school, year group, examination provider and local area.
An 11+ assessment may include:
English comprehension and vocabulary
Spelling, punctuation and grammar
Maths and problem-solving
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Creative writing
Interviews or other school-specific activities
Some grammar school tests may place a strong emphasis on reasoning, while an independent school may combine academic papers with an interview, school report or written task.
Parents should avoid assuming that practice for one 11+ assessment will automatically prepare their child for another. The best approach is to identify the target schools first, then understand what each one expects.
You can find out more about our approach to 11+ exam preparation at Merton Tuition Centre.
10+ And 11+: The Main Differences
Area | 10+ entrance exams | 11+ entrance exams |
Usual point of entry | Often earlier entry, such as Year 6 | Often Year 7, depending on the school |
Common school type | Often independent schools | Grammar, selective state and independent schools may use 11+ style assessments |
Typical preparation stage | Varies by school and child | Varies by school and child |
Academic focus | Often English, Maths and sometimes reasoning | Often English, Maths, reasoning and sometimes writing or other assessment tasks |
Assessment format | Set by the individual school | Set by the school, region or assessment provider |
Wider assessment | May include interviews or school reports | May include interviews, writing tasks or school-specific activities |
Key preparation need | Secure foundations and readiness for the target assessment | Strong academic skills, familiarity with the target assessment and exam confidence |
This table provides a general guide rather than a fixed rule. It does not describe a universal format. The most important point is that both routes vary.
How Does The Preparation Differ?
The skills needed for 10+ and 11+ preparation overlap. In both cases, children benefit from secure English and Maths foundations, regular reading and opportunities to solve unfamiliar problems.
The difference is often one of timing, depth and exam familiarity.
10+ Preparation: Build Strong Foundations
At 10+, children are usually younger and may have had less experience of formal examinations. Preparation should therefore focus on building skills steadily without creating unnecessary pressure.
Important areas may include:
Number knowledge and arithmetic fluency
Fractions, decimals and problem-solving
Reading comprehension
Vocabulary and spelling
Sentence construction and punctuation
Verbal reasoning basics
Pattern recognition and visual thinking
Writing clearly within a set time
A child preparing for a 10+ assessment does not need to rush through advanced work simply because the exam is selective. Strong understanding is more valuable than working through unfamiliar material without confidence.
A calm programme can introduce new question styles gradually. It can also help your child learn how to explain their thinking, check their work and respond positively when a question is challenging.
11+ Preparation: Develop Range And Resilience
11+ preparation usually involves developing a broader range of skills and applying them more consistently.
Alongside English and Maths, your child may need to become familiar with:
Verbal Reasoning question types
Non-Verbal Reasoning patterns and sequences
Time management
Multiple-choice questions where relevant
Longer comprehension passages
Multi-step Maths problems
Creative writing where required
Working accurately when questions become more difficult
Reasoning can be particularly unfamiliar for children who have not encountered it at school. Verbal Reasoning may involve words, relationships, codes or logical connections. Non-Verbal Reasoning may involve shapes, sequences, rotations and visual patterns.
These skills can be taught. They are not simply a measure of whether a child is naturally “good at reasoning”. With patient guidance and regular practice, children can learn how to recognise common structures and approach unfamiliar questions more confidently.
The Importance Of English And Reading
English is central to both 10+ and 11+ preparation, even when the assessment appears to focus on other subjects.
Regular reading can support:
Vocabulary development
Comprehension
Inference
Spelling
Sentence structure
Verbal reasoning
Confidence when discussing ideas
Encourage your child to read a mixture of fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, biographies and age-appropriate magazines. The goal is not simply to finish books. Talking about what they have read is equally valuable.
You might ask:
What do you think the character will do next?
Which words show how the character feels?
What is the main idea of this section?
Can you think of another word for this?
Did anything surprise you?
For children preparing for an independent school assessment, creative writing may also be important. Short, regular writing activities can help your child develop ideas, organise paragraphs and write with greater clarity.
The Importance Of Maths And Problem-Solving
Both 10+ and 11+ Maths preparation should begin with a secure understanding of core concepts.
Useful areas to revisit may include:
Place value
The four operations
Fractions, decimals and percentages
Measurement
Shape and space
Time
Data and graphs
Word problems
Mental calculation
The exact content should match your child’s age, schoolwork and target assessment. Some entrance exams may introduce questions that require children to apply familiar knowledge in less familiar ways.
For this reason, preparation should not rely only on repetitive worksheets. Children also need opportunities to explain methods, compare strategies and solve problems that require more than one step.
A child who understands why a method works is usually better placed to adapt when the question is presented differently.
Where Do Mock Exams Fit In?
Mock exams can be useful for both 10+ and 11+ preparation, but they should be introduced thoughtfully.
A well-designed mock can help your child:
Become familiar with the structure of an assessment
Practise moving between different subjects
Develop time awareness
Learn how to check answers
Identify areas needing further support
Build confidence in an unfamiliar setting
Mocks should not be treated as predictions or guarantees. A single result does not define your child’s ability and cannot determine the outcome of an application.
The most valuable part is often the review afterwards. Instead of focusing only on the score, look at the type of errors made. Did your child misunderstand the question, run out of time, forget a method or make a careless mistake?
Our guide to when your child should start preparing for the 11+ explores how preparation can be introduced at a manageable pace.
How Can Parents Choose The Right Route?
The right route depends on your child, your preferred schools and the current admissions information published by those schools.
Consider the following questions:
Does the school offer 10+ entry, 11+ entry or both?
Which year group would your child enter?
Which subjects and skills are assessed?
Is there an interview, writing task or group activity?
Is the assessment paper-based, computer-based or another format used by that school or provider?
What current information does the school provide about registration?
Does your child feel ready for an earlier move?
Would your child benefit from more time to develop confidence and independence?
It is important to consider your child’s wellbeing as well as academic readiness. Some children enjoy an earlier challenge and respond well to a new environment. Others benefit from staying at their current school while developing their skills gradually.
There is no universally correct choice. A carefully considered decision should take account of your child’s learning style, confidence, interests and long-term needs.
How Merton Tuition Centre Can Help
At Merton Tuition Centre, we support families with structured, personalised preparation for entrance exams. Our tutors have more than 20 years of teaching experience and understand that every child begins from a different starting point.
We can help your child to:
Strengthen English and Maths foundations
Develop Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning skills
Improve comprehension and vocabulary
Build problem-solving strategies
Practise creative writing where appropriate
Become more comfortable with timed work
Review mistakes in a constructive way
Grow in confidence without unnecessary pressure
Our small-group and 1:1 tuition sessions are adapted to suit each learner. We focus on steady progress, clear explanations and a calm approach that helps children enjoy learning while preparing carefully for their next step.
Whether you are considering 10+ entry to an independent school or 11+ preparation for a grammar or independent school assessment, the first step is to understand the current requirements of your preferred schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The 10+ Easier Than The 11+?
Not necessarily. The assessments are taken at different ages and may test different skills. A 10+ exam may be less familiar to parents because it is offered by individual independent schools, while an 11+ exam may involve a wider range of question types. Difficulty depends on the school, assessment and individual child.
Can My Child Prepare For Both 10+ And 11+?
In many cases, the core preparation overlaps. English, Maths, reading and reasoning can support both routes. However, the final preparation should be tailored to the exact requirements of each school.
Does Every Grammar School Use The Same 11+ Exam?
No. Grammar school assessment arrangements can vary by region, school and examination provider. Check the current information from the relevant school or admissions body before planning preparation.
When Should We Start?
There is no single ideal starting point for every child. Some families begin with general foundation work, reading and confidence building, then introduce exam-style practice later. Starting earlier does not mean putting your child under pressure. It can simply allow skills to develop steadily.
Should We Use Practice Papers At Home?
Practice papers can be helpful when used selectively and reviewed carefully. Too many papers without guidance may lead to frustration or repeated mistakes. Short activities, discussion and targeted support can often be more useful than completing papers for their own sake.
Take The Next Step With Confidence
The difference between 10+ and 11+ preparation is important, but the guiding principles are similar. Your child needs secure foundations, appropriate challenge, familiarity with relevant question types and the confidence to keep going when work becomes difficult.
Begin by checking the current requirements for each target school. Because 10+ and 11+ arrangements vary significantly by school, year group and examination provider, it is important to rely on each school’s latest admissions information rather than general assumptions. Then consider which skills your child already demonstrates and where supportive practice could help.
If you would like to discuss your child’s needs, you can book a free assessment or speak to our team about entrance exam preparation. We will help you understand the next steps and build a preparation plan that is right for your child.