The 11+ week is like the Champions League final for your brain — all the training’s done; now it’s about showing up sharp and playing smart. Use these tips to stay calm, manage time, and squeeze out every mark.
Mindset & Confidence
- Trust your training. If a question’s tricky, skip and return later.
- Don’t compare in the hall. Ignore bragging; run your race.
- Treat it like a game. Every question is a level — win enough levels and you win the paper.
- Stay positive. Tell yourself: “I’ve got this.”
Time Management Hacks
- The 1-minute rule: stuck > 60s? Circle it and move on.
- Don’t over-check easy ones. If you know
7×8=56, move on. - Watch the clock in chunks: split the paper into quarters; at 25% time, be ~25% through.
- Quick wins first: build momentum, then tackle the tough ones.
Exam Technique
- Read instructions carefully. Many marks are lost here.
- Underline keywords: not, except, always, never change meaning.
- Estimate before you calculate (Maths): should the answer be small/big/odd/even?
- Eliminate wrong answers (MCQ): cross out obvious duds to boost odds.
- Show working (written Maths): you can earn method marks.
Paper-Specific Tricks
- English Comprehension: always quote the text as evidence; one-word answers = low marks.
- SPaG: read it in your head; if it sounds wrong, it probably is.
- Maths: watch units (cm vs m, minutes vs hours) — easy marks to lose.
- VR/NVR: look for patterns (rotation, symmetry, alphabetical order). Don’t overcomplicate.
Before & During the Exam
- Sleep > cramming. A tired brain drops silly marks.
- Power breakfast: oats, toast, eggs, banana. Avoid sugar bombs.
- Water over juice: hydrate, but don’t overdo it.
- Pack smart:
- OMR: blunt, dark HB pencils.
- Creative Writing: sharp pencils or pens (check board).
- Examples: Latymer: black biro only; Kent: pencil for MCQs; CCHS: black biro — always check instructions.
- Arrive early: aim for a 1.5–2 hour buffer to avoid stress.
Last-Minute Boosters
- Do a 10-minute warm-up (light maths or vocab) — don’t start cold.
- Box breathing: in 4, hold 4, out 4 (repeat) to reset nerves.
- Don’t post-mortem during breaks. Comparing answers spikes stress.
- Plan a treat after the exam — something to look forward to.
💡 Golden Rule
The 11+ isn’t about perfection. It’s about collecting as many marks as possible. Grab the easy and medium ones quickly, then fight for the tough ones with the time left.
🔗 Quick Links (GLECTA)
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FAQ — 11+ Exam Day
Skip it, mark it, and move on. Come back later so you don’t waste time on one item.What should I do if I get stuck on a question?
In GL/CSSE there typically isn’t. If unsure, guess intelligently by eliminating obviously wrong answers first. Always follow the paper’s instructions.Is there negative marking?
For OMR sheets, use HB/2B pencil unless told otherwise. Creative writing often allows black biro — check the board’s instructions.Pencil or pen?
As a rule of thumb, ~1 minute per question on a 50-question paper. Aim to be ~50% done at halfway.How fast should I work?
Choose slow-energy foods: oats, toast, eggs, banana. Avoid sugary foods and fizzy drinks that cause energy crashes.What should I eat before the exam?
Use box breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 4, repeat. It reduces stress fast.How do I calm nerves quickly?
Change only when you find a clear error. Don’t swap correct answers due to doubt alone.Should I change answers during checking?
Mixing units (cm vs m), missing keywords like NOT/EXCEPT, and misaligned OMR bubbles. Double-check these carefully.What easy marks do students lose most often?