Why Early Preparation for the 11+ and 13+ Exams Matters for Year 4 and 5

The 11+ and 13+ entrance exams are highly competitive, particularly in London and the South East, where places at top independent and grammar schools are limited and in high demand. While many families begin focused tuition in Year 6 or Year 8, more parents are recognising the value of starting earlier – in Year 4 or 5 – to build skills gradually, reduce pressure and set their child up for long-term success.

At Enjoy Education, we work with families to take the stress out of exam preparation by planning ahead with purpose and approach the process in a way that feels supportive, structured and age-appropriate.

Benefits of Starting 11+ Preparation Early

1. Build Strong Foundations

Year 4 and 5 are the perfect time to strengthen core skills in English and maths without the time pressure of a looming deadline. Focus can be placed on:

• Reading comprehension and vocabulary
• Mental arithmetic and number fluency
• Problem-solving and reasoning skills

These are the foundations that 11+ and 13+ papers are built on, and developing them early gives your child a clear advantage.

2. Nurture Confidence and Curiosity

Starting early allows children to explore their creativity. Our tutors often integrate games, storytelling and project work into early sessions to spark engagement while gently stretching academic ability.

Children who enjoy learning early on are more likely to feel confident when the assessments become more structured later in Year 5 and 6.

3. Support Emotional Readiness

Early preparation isn’t just academic. It helps build the stamina, independence and self-awareness children will need when they eventually face interview questions, reasoning tasks or unfamiliar test formats.

With time, children develop calm under pressure – something that can be challenging for some students to refine in a rush.

How Year 4 and 5 Can Get Ready for Entrance Exams

1. Light-Touch Tuition That Grows with Your Child

Our approach for Years 4 and 5 blends personalised tuition with enrichment. A typical programme might include:

• Weekly sessions focused on key skills
• Confidence-building activities in areas like verbal reasoning
• Holiday workshops or mini assessments to track progress gently
• Recommendations for wider reading and independent learning

Everything is designed to feel manageable and enjoyable for your child – no cramming, no burnout.

2. Practice Without Pressure

We believe in introducing exam-style thinking gradually. That means short-format comprehension tasks, puzzle-based maths and verbal reasoning games rather than full mock exams.

By the time formal preparation begins in Year 5 or 6, students are already familiar with the skills and mindset required – they’ve simply arrived there in a calmer, more confident way.

3. Tailored Support for Each School’s Requirements

Different schools have different formats, focus areas and expectations. Starting early gives us time to:

• Identify target schools
• Understand what each school is looking for at 11+ or 13+
• Begin to align learning with those specific demands

From interviews and pre-tests to full entrance papers, our team ensures your child is prepared with precision.