How can I motivate my child for the upcoming 11+ exam?
Posted Wednesday 5th June 2019

Is your child in Year 5 and preparing for a grammar or independent school exam?
Are you looking for new and inventive ways to inspire revision this summer?
With thoughts of ice lollies, picnics in the park and playing out with friends, 11plus revision rarely springs to mind at this time of year. However, with just three months to go until the entrance exams, it is essential that your child doesn’t lose their 11+ momentum!
Here are some surprising statistics on the academic dip that children experience from a lack of learning over the six weeks holiday:

Did you know that?
- The average child reads just 6 hours over the summer holidays.
- The average student loses a month of academic-calendar learning each summer.
- Two-thirds of the reading achievement gap can be explained by a lack of access to summer learning opportunities during primary school.
With over 16 years of experience in preparing children for the 11+ exam, we understand what it takes to succeed. KSOL’s expert tutors have provided four top tips to ensure your child reaches their full potential with revision this summer!

1. Find out what type of learner your child is
Every child is unique and has a different way of absorbing and retaining information. For example, some children are auditory learners, retaining information best when speaking and listening, whilst others are visual learners who prefer learning with colours or images.
Identify which type of learning style your child responds best to and tailor their revision accordingly!
2. Introduce them to something new
Preparing for the 11 plus exam requires young children to sit for thirty minutes or more on a specific topic every evening. Learning new skills, for example a hobby or interest, will not only help improve concentration, but also increase a child’s confidence when it comes to approaching new challenges. This will really benefit your child when they are faced with tricky topic areas in their revision.
3. Incorporate problem solving into your daily plans
When out for the day, allocate your child a small spending budget to manage. Ask them to calculate how much money they have remaining at each stage. Not only does budgeting teach children the value of money, it also encourages independence and the importance of mathematics in everyday life. Give it a go. No calculators allowed!
4. Take your revision outdoors
Put the pens and pencils away for the day and find an educational excursion that’s close to home. Whether it’s a summer revision course or a day out to the museum with friends, change your child’s learning environment from time to time. They’ll be revising without even realising!
Use your time wisely! Reaffirm core 11+ skills and build confidence before the big day with KSOL’s 3 Month Online Intensive Revision Course. This 12 week course includes personalised daily tests (Mon-Fri) in Maths, English, Verbal and NVR, plus weekly interactive video lessons, providing up to 30 minutes of additional teaching! They’ll be revising without even realising!
Each programme is monitored and tailored by an allocated online tutor, meaning it is entirely unique to your child! Your tutor will be available to discuss your child’s progress during office hours or via email.

Visit the website or call our head office on 0121 733 6558 for more information on our fantastic 3 Month Intensive Online 11+ Course.