11 Plus Blog

Honest guides for parents preparing for the 11 Plus

When to start, GL vs CEM, tuition versus self-learning, how to keep a ten-year-old engaged without burning them out. No fluff, no salesmanship — practical guidance from people who do this every day.

31 May 2026 · 10 min read

The 10 AQA GCSE Physics required practicals you must know

A cheatsheet for all 10 AQA GCSE Physics required practicals — IV/DV/controls, typical exam question shape, common marks lost. The predictable 10+ marks every Year 11 should bank.

31 May 2026 · 8 min read

How to use AQA GCSE Physics past papers — the deliberate-practice method

Most students waste Physics past papers. The right way to use AQA GCSE Physics papers — the mark/review/drill loop, command words, time-per-mark, and required-practical traps.

31 May 2026 · 8 min read

GCSE Physics grade boundaries — what marks you need for a grade 7/8/9

GCSE Physics grade boundaries explained — what marks a grade 7, 8 or 9 actually takes on AQA Triple Physics and Combined Science Trilogy, and how the 9-1 system works.

31 May 2026 · 9 min read

The most-tested AQA GCSE Physics topics — what to prioritise

The 5 highest-frequency AQA GCSE Physics topics — Forces, Electricity, Waves, Energy and Required Practicals — with mark allocation, key equations and per-topic study tips.

31 May 2026 · 9 min read

A 6-week AQA GCSE Physics revision plan that actually works

A practical, week-by-week 6-week revision plan for AQA GCSE Physics — diagnostic, targeted topic work, required practicals, equations and a calm final week.

29 May 2026 · 8 min read

How to use GCSE Maths past papers properly — most students get this wrong

Most students waste past papers. The right way to use AQA GCSE Maths past papers — the mark/review/drill loop, timed vs untimed, and the mark scheme habit that lifts grades.

29 May 2026 · 7 min read

GCSE Maths grade boundaries: what does a 4, 5, or 7 actually mean?

GCSE Maths grade boundaries explained — what a 4, 5 or 7 really takes, the standard pass vs strong pass distinction, and how recent AQA boundaries actually move year to year.

29 May 2026 · 8 min read

The 5 most-tested topics in AQA GCSE Maths Higher

The 5 topics that appear in nearly every AQA GCSE Maths Higher paper — typical mark allocation, common mistakes, and where most students lose marks.

29 May 2026 · 8 min read

A 6-week AQA GCSE Maths revision plan that actually works

A practical, week-by-week 6-week revision plan for AQA GCSE Maths — diagnostic, targeted topic work, mock paper, and a quiet final week. No cramming, no panic.

29 May 2026 · 7 min read

AQA GCSE Maths: Foundation or Higher — which tier should your child take?

Foundation or Higher GCSE Maths? Honest guide to which tier suits your child, when to switch from Higher to Foundation, and how to decide without guessing.

16 May 2026 · 8 min read

Are we pressurising a 10 year old? Why adaptive learning is the way forward

11 Plus preparation can tip into burnout fast. How to spot the warning signs, what genuinely reduces pressure (it's not less practice), and why adaptive learning works better than volume.

16 May 2026 · 7 min read

Private tuition or group classes — what actually helps a child improve?

1:1 tutoring versus group classes for the 11 Plus — what each genuinely offers, what they cost, and how to pick what fits your child's personality and learning style.

16 May 2026 · 7 min read

11 Plus tuition versus self-learning — which approach should we take?

Should you hire an 11 Plus tutor, or is structured self-learning enough? Honest breakdown of where each adds value, what they cost, and which type of child suits each path.

16 May 2026 · 6 min read

GL Assessment vs CEM — which 11 Plus papers should we actually practise?

Most 11 Plus practice questions are written in either GL Assessment or CEM style. Here's how to know which your child needs, and what to do when they're applying to schools that use both.

16 May 2026 · 7 min read

When should my child start 11 Plus preparation?

How early is too early for 11 Plus prep, and when is too late? A practical timeline by year group — what to do in Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 without burning your child out.

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