By Sara Roditi, Cloisters Tutoring & Educational Services.

To give your child the best chance of success when taking the Eleven Plus Exam, preparation is important. Parents should contact the schools they are interested in applying for, to find out which of the four tests their child will sit eg. English, Maths, Verbal or Non-Verbal Reasoning, & also to find out which examining board is setting the tests.

Ideally your child should begin to prepare in Year 5, for the exam which is taken in Year 6 from September to February, depending on the school and the LEA. While Prep schools frequently offer 11+ preparation, state primary schools do not. Although there is a lot of material available, an experienced tutor can make a big difference to your child's chance of success. The best tutors are highly qualified, experienced, CRB checked and offer home tutoring tailored to the specific needs of your child.

A one to one home tutor can focus on individual difficulties in depth that is not possible in a class group situation. Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning in particular require some training in technique and logic.

It is also recommended parents encourage their children to do brain teasers and give them puzzle books, sudoku, crosswords and to read and develop their vocabulary which will give them a head start from early KS2.