The 11+ mock exam guide
6 min read · updated 2026-08-31
Ask any 11+ tutor what moves results most in Year 5 and you will hear the same answer: mock exams, done properly. Not more teaching. Mocks turn skills into exam-day performance, and they are the only honest measure of progress you will get.
Why mocks matter more than extra teaching
The 11+ rewards speed and accuracy under time pressure, and those only develop in exam conditions. A child who knows the content but has never sat a full timed paper loses marks to pacing, misread questions and panic. Weekly or fortnightly mocks from spring of Year 5 build the stamina and calm that September demands.
How often, and when to start
- ✓ Spring of Year 5: first full mock to establish a baseline score
- ✓ Summer of Year 5: one mock every 3-4 weeks, each reviewed together
- ✓ September of Year 6 (exam term): one mock every 1-2 weeks, focused on timing
- ✓ Always review the paper within a day while the mistakes are fresh
How to read mock scores
Track three numbers over time: raw score, percentage by section, and time lost to unfinished questions. A rising raw score with weak timing means the fix is pacing drills; strong timing with low scores means content gaps. If scores plateau for six weeks despite effort, change the method or discuss expectations honestly with your tutor.
Common mock mistakes parents make
Sitting mocks without reviewing them (the review is the learning). Correcting with harsh words after a bad score (nerves next time will cost more marks). Using only one supplier's papers, which teaches the child the questions rather than the skill. And comparing siblings: every child's trajectory is different.
FAQs
What is a good 11+ mock score?＋
It depends on your target school's historic thresholds, which tutors and schools track. What matters is the trend: scores rising across spring and summer of Year 5 point to readiness.
Do mocks at home work as well as exam-hall mocks?＋
Home mocks work if they are strictly timed and distraction-free. Formal exam-hall mocks add the atmosphere, which helps anxious children practise nerves. A mix of both is ideal.
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