Through the eyes of a child: What goes through a child’s mind when taking their 11+ exams?

Imagine stepping into a room you’ve never seen before, knowing this is an experience you’re always going to remember as positive or negative.

The walls are unfamiliar, the desks are arranged in a way that feels strange, and the air is filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. You notice other children around you. They are all strangers, each with their own set of worries and hopes. Suddenly, imposter syndrome creeps into your mind and you’re thinking the other children look smarter and more confident than you.

You’re sitting in your seat and try to get comfortable, but the unfamiliar surroundings make it hard to relax. The teachers and staff are also new faces. They seem kind, but it’s still daunting to talk to them and ask for help if you need it. The pressure builds even more when you think about your parents waiting outside. They are eager to see how well you’ve done, and you don’t want to disappoint them.

This is what it’s like for a child taking the 11+ exam. It’s a lot to handle, more than just having the knowledge to answer the questions in the exam. It’s a journey filled with new experiences, challenges, and opportunities to grow.

How do you fully support a child through the 11+ exam?

A prepared child is a child who can walk into the exam room with confidence. Through our 35 years’ experience of working with tens of thousands of children, we see the 11+ exams through the eyes of a child and what level of preparation is needed. We know sitting the 11+ exam is more than just a test of knowledge.  There are many elements that can have a huge impact on which way the exam will go.

Our lessons, delivered by qualified and highly experienced teachers and supported by a trained tuition team help builds the skill set and the resilience for a child to walk into the exam room with confidence and focus.

Preparing for the 11+ exams through AE Tuition helps children develop important life skills. They learn to face new situations with confidence, interact with unfamiliar people, and manage the pressure of high expectations. These skills will serve them well beyond the exam room, helping them navigate the many challenges and opportunities that life will bring.

Our 11+ courses are taught face to face in a classroom or remotely and online, following the same methodology by expert, UK-qualified teachers. It is a comprehensive approach that covers every aspect of the 11+ exams and helps children fully master the techniques required to pass. All necessary materials for the courses are provided, and valuable advice is offered to parents on grammar school entry procedures.

 

Has this article made you look at the 11+ exams differently? Can you see through the eyes of your child and how they would react in the 11+ exam room? Every child will react differently to this challenge, but AE Tuition will help your child fully prepare. They will be equipped with knowledge, confidence, resilience and the skill to perform to the best of their ability.

We have 11+ courses open for enrolment, take a look at our courses and give us a call to secure your child’s place.

We look forward to welcoming new children on this exciting journey of preparation.

 

Booking for our September 2025 courses is STILL open!

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