As we move through January, it’s hard to believe that September and the 11+ entrance exams are now just eight months away. For many families, this realisation brings a mixture of excitement, anticipation and questions about what the months ahead should look like.

Having supported families through the 11+ for over 20 years, we know this stage is less about doing more, but rather about doing the right things consistently.

To help families navigate the months ahead, our experienced tutors have put together a 2026 guide designed to support a healthy balance between structured learning and well-deserved downtime.

January: Kickstarting the Year with Focus

January is an ideal time for children to re-establish positive learning habits. Rather than introducing large amounts of new material, this month works best when the focus is on organisation, routine and confidence.

Encouraging your child to keep a simple revision folder and revisiting key concepts little and often can make a real difference. Also build reading into their daily routine; we recommend around 15 minutes of daily reading, including both fiction and non-fiction, to support comprehension and vocabulary development. These small, manageable steps help learning feel achievable and set strong habits for the months ahead.

Last weekend’s January Mock Exam in Shirley was a great success and offered valuable insight into how children apply their knowledge under exam conditions. At this stage, mock exams aren’t about perfection, they’re about familiarity and becoming comfortable with exam structure, timing and expectations. For many children, simply having that experience can noticeably boost confidence.

For families who haven’t yet attended a mock exam, or who would like another checkpoint, the next in-person mock exam will take place in Walsall on Sunday 8th February, providing another useful opportunity to understand current progress.

February: Building a Strong Foundation

Think of 11+ preparation as a house: the stronger the foundations, the more secure everything built on top of them will be.

By February, it’s helpful for children to feel confident with core maths skills such as percentages, ratio and fractions, and start to think about identifying these topics in worded problems. These fundamentals underpin many exam questions and benefit from steady, repeated practice rather than rushed revision.

It’s also important that children feel comfortable asking questions and reflecting on mistakes. Confidence grows when learning feels supported and mistakes are seen as part of progress, not something to avoid.

Half-Term Support and Focused Sessions

With February half term approaching, some families choose to add short, targeted support alongside their usual routine. KSOL will be running LIVE Tuition Sessions and 11+ Workshops over half term, focusing on specific topics such as comprehension, maths techniques and reasoning skills.

Delivered in small groups by qualified KSOL teachers, these sessions are designed to help children engage with exam-style questions in a clear, structured way. These sessions provide a helpful boost while keeping learning fun and engaging through the break.

Moving Forward with Reassurance

Every child’s 11+ journey is different, and progress doesn’t always follow a straight line. What matters most is consistency, clarity and reassurance along the way.

This is where a structured programme can be particularly helpful. KSOL’s Year 5 Online Courses are created and supported by experienced teachers to provide daily practice, clear explanations and teacher-led video lessons, all while giving parents confidence that learning is focused and purposeful.

By strengthening routines and foundations early in the year, families can move into spring feeling organised, informed and confident about the path ahead. We’ll continue to share guidance and advice to support you at each stage of the journey.

About KSOL

KSOL is an award-winning EdTech provider that supports families through 11 plus preparation with qualified teachers, structured learning and clear guidance, helping children feel secure as they progress.