When Should You Actually Start 11+ Preparation?
You'll get different answers from every parent at the school gate. Some started in Year 3. Some are starting in Year 6 and panicking. Here's what actually works.
The honest answer
For most children, structured preparation should start in Year 5 — around 12 to 18 months before the exam. That's enough time to cover all four subjects properly, identify weak areas early, and build the exam familiarity that comes from repeated timed practice. Starting in Year 6 is possible but leaves very little room for error.
What Year 4 should actually look like
Year 4 is not the time for intense exam prep. It's the time for foundations — reading widely, becoming fluent with times tables, and gentle exposure to verbal reasoning question types. If your child is in Year 4 and hasn't started anything yet, don't panic. Light, habitual practice beats early intensity every time.
What Year 5 preparation should include
All four subjects, every week. Spaced repetition for vocabulary and key formulas. Light timed practice building up to full mock papers toward the end of Year 5. Twenty minutes a day is enough — but it needs to be every day. Lumi builds the plan each night so there's nothing for you to organise.
Starting in Year 6 — what to do
If you're reading this in Year 6, start immediately and start smart. Don't try to cover everything equally — identify the weak areas first and focus there. One month of targeted practice on genuine weak spots is worth three months of general revision. Lumi's approach to identifying and closing gaps is particularly valuable when time is short.
How StageX Academy adapts to wherever your child is starting from
Whether your child is in Year 4 building foundations or in Year 6 with six months to go, StageX Academy builds a plan that fits where they are right now. There's no fixed curriculum to follow in order — StageX Academy identifies what your child knows and what they don't from day one, and focuses daily practice on the gaps. Twenty minutes a day. No parent planning required.
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Subjects covered
Exam boards
Frequently asked questions
Can my child start too early?
Yes — intensive exam prep in Year 3 or early Year 4 often leads to burnout by the time the exam arrives. Building good habits and foundations early is helpful. Drilling papers is not.
Is three months enough time to prepare?
It depends on the child. Three months of daily focused practice can make a significant difference if your child has strong foundations. If there are significant gaps in Verbal or Non-Verbal Reasoning, three months is tight. Start as soon as you decide the 11+ is the plan.
What if my child doesn't want to do extra work?
Twenty minutes a day is much easier to sell than hours of weekend revision. StageX Academy is designed to feel manageable — short, focused sessions with immediate feedback rather than long, dull paper sessions.
Try Lumi free this week.
Your child gets a plan tonight. You get a dashboard that actually tells you something. And on Sunday morning, instead of staring at 11+ books, you read a one-paragraph summary with your coffee.
Questions? Email us we read everything.