When should we start Maths preparation?
Maths skills can be developed during years three, four and five. During years three and four parents should focus making sure times tables are absolutely solid and that children have a good grasp of the four operations at a suitable level of complexity.
Maths is a subject where children need plenty of practical question exercises to embed understanding and aid development. There are plenty of good materials to aid development during years three or four included in the Forum areas.
We would specifically not recommend doing timed tests too early, especially not 11 Plus maths tests. Children should only do timed tests involving questions where knowledge is already sound. If a child does not have a sound grasp of a particular topic it is likely to throw out the timings on the whole and lead to unintended consequential failure on other question areas where in fact knowledge is sound. Typically research has shown that children only get a finite benefit from doing timed tests. If a child does ten to twelve timed Maths tests in the three months before their test then you are likely to have already got maximum benefit from it. Timed tests have value but don’t overdo it.
Which 11 Plus Exam Preparation Options Are Right For You ?
11 Plus Private Tutors
- Personalised Work
- 1-1
- High feedback levels
but
- VERY Expensive
- Lots of work at home
- Lots of travel
11 Plus Tuition Centres
- Structured work
- Third party involvement
- Some feedback
but
- Some children don't progress
- Lots of work at home
- Lots of travel
11 Plus Guided Courses
- Structured work provided
- No wasted time
- Help and advice on hand
but
- High parental commitment
- Cost higher than DIY
11 Plus DIY- Books
- Parents in full control
- Work can be totally tailored
- Lowest cost
but
- Difficult to plan well
- Difficult to deliver well
- Maximum parental effort