Students wishing to be admitted to Grammar or Independent schools take the 11+ exam. 11+ exams are highly competitive as more than 100,000 students compete for a very limited number of schools.
The exam consists of four sections: Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning.
Out of all the sections, Maths is the toughest and most important one. Maths has solid marks and, if practiced consistently, adds much value to a student’s cumulative score.
This article breaks down every section of the 11+ Maths Section and explores how it can be covered efficiently.
Paper Pattern of 11+ Maths Section?
Most 11+ exams are multiple-choice questions. The exams are age-standardized, ensuring that a child born in later years of school is tested fairly without getting discriminated.
The 11+ exams follow a general Multiple Choice Questions format
There are primarily two main testing boards for the 11+ exam: GL Assessment and CEM.
Researching the school your kid is applying to is essential because specific schools design customized tests through their relevant testing boards, which may differ from the general pattern of the 11+ exam.
Maths Section of the 11+ Exam
The 11+ exam Maths follows the national curriculum. The math section includes all the essential topics covered till year 5 or year 6 . Therefore, a student must understand the topics covered in the previous classes.
The main topics included in the 11+ Maths exam are as follows :
1. Number and Place Value
2. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division
3. Fractions and Percentages
4. Decimals
5. Algebra
6. Shapes and Measurement
7. Geometry (Determining Shapes and Coordinates)
1. Number and Place Value
- Students need to recognize and understand the value of digits in numbers, including whole numbers and decimals.
- They should be able to read, write, and compare numbers in both numerical and word forms.
- Students must arrange numbers in ascending and descending order and understand sequences and patterns.
- Grasping the value of each digit depending on its position within a number (units, tens, hundreds, etc.).
- Learning how to round numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, thousand, or decimal place.
2. Addition, Subtraction, Division, and Multiplication
- Mastering techniques for adding and subtracting both whole numbers and decimals.
- Understanding multiplication tables and concepts of multiplying multi-digit numbers.
- Learning to divide numbers, including long division and division with remainders.
- Applying these operations in word problems to develop problem-solving skills.
3. Fractions and Percentages
- Identifying and representing fractions, understanding numerators and denominators.
- Learning to simplify fractions and find equivalent fractions.
- Performing these operations with like and unlike denominators.
- Understanding how to multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers.
- Converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages and solving problems involving percentages.
4. Decimals
- Recognizing and representing decimal numbers.
- Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimal numbers.
- Converting between decimals, fractions, and percentages.
- Understanding the place value of digits in decimal numbers.
- Learning to round decimal numbers to a specified number of decimal places.
5. Algebra
- Understanding variables, constants, and algebraic expressions.
- Learning to simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions.
- Techniques for solving simple linear equations and inequalities.
- Translating word problems into algebraic equations to find solutions.
- Identifying and continuing numerical patterns and sequences.
6. Shapes and Measurement
- Recognizing and understanding the properties of various two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes.
- Calculating the perimeter and area of different shapes like squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.
- Finding the volume and surface area of three-dimensional shapes like cubes, cuboids, and spheres.
- Understanding and converting between different units of measurement (metric and imperial).
- Using rulers, protractors, and other tools for measuring lengths, angles, and drawing shapes accurately.
7 . Geometry (Determining Shapes and Coordinates)
- Identifying and understanding the properties of basic geometric shapes.
- Learning about different types of angles (acute, obtuse, right) and calculating angles in various geometric figures.
- Understanding line symmetry and rotational symmetry in shapes.
- Plotting points on a coordinate plane and understanding the concepts of the x-axis and y-axis.
- Learning about transformations such as translations, rotations, reflections, and enlargements.
How to Prepare Your Child for 11 + Math Exam?
Start Early: Start preparing early. Preparation should be started one year or six months before the exam date. A student should not begin preparing way earlier, for instance, in year 3 or 4, but should instead focus on building a base for higher classes.
Create a Schedule: Create a realistic schedule to help cover the milestones in the given time. Do not set idealistic goals.
Practice Consistently: A student must practice Maths daily, which is all about consistency. Once there comes a break, the previous effort becomes nullified.
Cover Basic Concepts: Every math problem involves the basics. These concepts ( steps and formulas ) form the skeleton of a problem. A little division, multiplication, addition, or subtraction mistake can make the whole question wrong. Practice basic concepts daily.
Make a Formula Sheet: A summarized formula sheet summarizing all the required concepts and formulas will make revision easier. Use flashcards and formula sheets to get easy access to information.
Time Management: Other than Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non Verbal Reasoning should be given equal time. Missing out on any of the subjects will significantly affect the progress of the preparation.
Tutoring: Tutoring is an effective way to keep learning streamlined. Tutors are highly qualified at their jobs and can cover holistic aspects of the exam.
Create a Stress-Free Environment: It is okay for your child to fall back while preparing. As a parent, you are responsible for checking on your child constantly and holding discussions that can motivate them toward progress.
Reward Your Child: Along with motivating your child, reward them with achievements whenever they complete homework and topics or do things on time. Doing such will increase confidence and encourage them to carry on consistently.
