Mastering 11+ Maths: Key Topics, Past Papers, & Parent Guide
What is 11+ Maths and Why Does 11 Plus Maths Matter?
Maths is one of the key components of 11 plus exams, regardless of the provider. A strong score means an increased likelihood of 11+ entry.
11+ Maths papers examine applicants' problem-solving and reasoning abilities, testing their understanding and manipulation of numbers.
Although their precise formats vary, GL Assessments, ISEB pre-test, CAT4, and other providers all test Maths. Many utilise multiple-choice questions, whilst others are ‘free answer’.
It is one of the most challenging parts of the 11+ entry. Students struggle with time management, tricky topics, and new question styles.
Though the content is often familiar, the formatting can confuse students. Proper familiarisation and practice can give them confidence in approaching the exam, improving their results.
If you’re worried about your child’s 11+ maths, why not get in touch? With structured practice personalised to each student and expert guidance, we help students succeed. Book a free consultation with U2 Tuition today!
What Maths is in the 11+?
11+ Maths tests are based on the KS2 Maths curriculum.
Though this includes years 3-6, pupils only tend to be examined on up to year 5 knowledge, as schools teach subjects in different orders and at varied paces.
The content is designed to be accessible, though there will also be stretch topics like algebra, ratios, and problem-solving.
Use this list as your key topics checklist; each section has an example question.
Number & Place Value
Being able to read and write large numbers.
Place value: knowing the value of digits.
Identifying patterns and filling in numbers to complete a sequence.
Understanding negative numbers.
Knowing the value of Roman numerals.
What is this number in figures? Eight thousand, five hundred and ten.
a) 851
b) 8510
c) 8501
d) 85010
Arithmetic
Carrying out addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Completing mental maths and speed calculations.
Understanding and calculating:
Ratio and proportion
Squares and square numbers
Powers and roots
Mean, median, and mode
Which of the following is equal to 24?
a) 3 x 7
b) 2 + 4 x 4
c) 48 – 8 x 3
d) 3 + 11 x 2
Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages
Calculating percentages and fractions of amounts.
Comparing and ordering factions.
Converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Working out fractions of shapes and shaded areas.
Answering word problems involving fractions and ratios.
Alex cuts his pizza into eight equal pieces. What fraction of the pizza is one slice?
Algebra and Simple Equations
Completing simple equations.
Solving for unknowns.
Identifying rules of sequences and completing them.
Using expressions and following instructions.
Halima thinks of a number.
She multiples her number by 2.
Then she subtracts 4.
The answer is 10.
What number did Halima first think of?
Geometry & Measures
Understanding symmetry and shape properties such as angles, area, perimeter, sides, and identifying whether it’s 2D or 3D.
Appreciating the different units of length, weight, capacity and conversion between them, e.g. centimetre to metre.
Which of these shapes both have at least one right angle?
a) 1 and 2
b) 5 and 6
c) 3 and 5
d) 1 and 4
e) 2 and 4
Data handling
Reading and interpreting:
Bar charts
Line graphs
Pie charts
Timetables
Extracting data from word problems.
Twenty children in a reception class were asked what their favourite pudding was. Estimate the number who said Jelly.
a) 10
b) 6
c) 8
d) 4
e) 2
Reasoning & problem-solving
Completing puzzles involving:
Sequences
Logic
Multiple steps
Solve real-life maths problems surrounding time and money.
Applying maths to unfamiliar scenarios.
The Zoo charges £15 for adults and £6.50 for children.
You save ½ of the entry fee with a voucher.
Ollie wants to take his wife and two children to the zoo.
He has one adult voucher and one child voucher.
How much will it cost him to take his family to the zoo?
a) £31.75
b) £43.00
c) £21.50
d) £32.35
11+ Tuition with U2 Tuition covers consolidation of these topics and focuses on exam technique to equip your child to succeed.
How Hard is 11+ Maths?
11 plus maths is challenging, but good preparation will make it easier.
It will feel harder than Maths at school because it is:
1) Taken under time pressure.
2) Blends content, stretch topics, and applied reasoning, rather than simply numerical ability.
You must apply comprehension to understand the maths skills the question asks you to use.
This extra step can make questions slightly more complicated, but it won’t be anything students haven’t tackled at school.
Practice is key to both of these issues:
Much of the ‘trickiness’ is simply the ‘unknown’.
Practising with familiarisation materials enables them to learn how to utilise and apply their maths knowledge.
It also ensures they get used to good exam practice, such as reading the question correctly and allowing time to check their answers.
Ensure this practice occurs under timed exam conditions to get them used to the constraints of the real exam.
Consistent practice and feedback will help improve your child’s confidence with their 11+ Maths, knowing what to expect. In turn, their results should improve.
Specific questions are deliberately hard, pushing students with trickier topics.
For those questions that test more advanced knowledge, our tutors are pros at helping students extend their learning beyond the curriculum, building on what they already know.
We provide students with the knowledge they need to access higher-level questions and ensure that strong exam technique enables them to reach the end of the paper to answer them.
With U2 tuition, 11+ Maths doesn’t need to feel hard. We break down the content and provide strategies to help you succeed.
How to Do Well in 11+ Maths: Strategies for Success
Practical Preparation Strategies for Parents:
Start with a strong foundation:
Mastering the KS2 basics means your child will have no problem getting the correct answers.
Use past papers:
Practising with 11+ maths past papers with answers enables students to gain familiarity with the question types they may receive.
The answers also mean parents can check whether they’re on the right track.
Over time, students learn how to apply their knowledge to answer these questions, developing their problem-solving and numerical reasoning skills.
Focus on time management:
Practice under exam conditions ensures students enhance their time management skills, making it to the end of papers and optimising marks scored.
Many students struggle with the timing element at first.
Repeated practice means students get used to the questions, the time it takes to answer them, and improve their abilities and scores.
Do a mix of multiple-choice & written practice:
It’s essential to know the intricacies of your child's test.
For instance, GL is multiple choice on an answer sheet, and CEM’s Select Insight online test varies between multiple choice and free response.
The familiarisation material these providers offer highlights the required response style, so use it!
Tailor your child’s preparation to the relevant question and response types.
Many students take multiple 11+ tests, so it may be necessary to mix up practice.
Even if your child is only taking one style of exam, there are benefits to varied practice. Skills required for a written question, such as showing your working, are still sound practice for finding a multiple-choice answer.
Target weaknesses:
Based on their mock test results, areas of development should become clear.
Preparation should be targeted towards improving these weaknesses, whether fractions, algebra, or something else.
Regular revision plan:
Preparation should occur long-term through short, frequent sessions for your child's sake.
This is best for their development and happiness.
Short-term, last-minute cramming is not conducive to success and can cause bad habits and stress.
Encouragement:
There is no expectation they will understand or succeed immediately.
Mastery takes time and practice.
Encouragement and positive reinforcement go a long way.
Tutoring and revision for the 11+ is about providing students with key skills for education and a passion for life-long learning.
Balanced preparation:
Excellence in maths is not a substitute for passing comprehension, verbal reasoning, and creative writing.
At U2 Tuition, we formulate bespoke preparation plans tailored to students’ strengths and areas of development. Our teaching is nurturing, interactive, engaging, and instils students with long-term enjoyment of education. Let our experienced 11+ Maths tutors develop a strategy for your child’s success. Contact U2 tuition today to learn more.
Practice Resources: 11+ Maths Past Papers & Mock Exams
We’ve discussed the importance of practice for success at the 11+ Maths exam, but what resources should you use?
The school you’re applying to for 11+ entry may provide their own 11+ past papers in online, printable 11+ maths exam paper PDFs.
This is the case for schools such as Sevenoaks and City of London Girls’ and St Paul’s Girls (Paper A, Paper B) for the second assessment stage.
Answers don’t tend to be provided, though a few schools do, including Sevenoaks.
Others may provide details of the assessment provider they use, who will often offer familiarisation material:
For instance, Westminster 11+ uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test. They provide a walkthrough resource.
Other schools, including St Paul’s Girls and City of London School for Girls, use the Cambridge Select Insight Computer Test for 11+. The provider offers a flavour of the test through the CEM Select Familiarisation resource.
Crucially, these resources are incredibly brief and don’t come with answers.
Other providers have better offerings:
GL assessment, used by the Kent Test, offers a range of free resources.
There is a Kent Test Familiarisation Booklet, two full-length Maths specimen papers, answer booklets, and a parents’ guide containing answers.
There are helpful free online resources from companies, including CGP.
CGP Maths Sample Test, Answer Sheet, and Answers.
For students targeting highly competitive schools, try stretching beyond standard 11+ papers with materials such as Junior or Primary Maths Challenge and Maths Olympiad papers.
These provide the kind of problem-solving challenge favoured by mathematically selective schools (e.g. Westminster).
Our specialist tutors also integrate these into lessons for students who enjoy tackling trickier questions.
Some examples include:
The UKMT ‘Primary Kangaroo’ page offers some past tests and solutions.
The Mathematical Association’s ‘Primary Mathematics Challenge’ – Test and Solutions
Be careful with websites that claim to provide lists of past papers from certain schools. They are inauthentic and costly. Often, these are random papers with a school’s logo stamped on the front.
Many test providers offer paid preparation resources or platforms. These have limited use. They can be costly, and don’t offer real-time feedback.
Tutoring is an excellent way to get around the flaws of each of these practice resources:
U2 Tuition works with mock or familiarisation resources for the precise school your child is applying to.
We supplement this with practice with other 11+ maths papers and bespoke mock resources, such as GL assessment-style papers.
We gradually introduce timed mocks to simulate exam day.
Students benefit from comprehensive 11+ preparation, with real-time feedback and tailored guidance that ensures steady progress and lasting improvement.
We ensure they feel comfortable, confident, and fully supported to ace their 11+ exams.
Do I Need an 11+ Maths Tutor?
Working with a one-to-one 11+ Maths tutor can make a huge difference. Personalised tuition builds confidence and provides tailored feedback, structured revision plans, and familiarity with exam board question styles, all of which are essential for success.
At U2 Tuition, our expert, Oxbridge-educated tutors are highly experienced in preparing students to enter the UK’s top schools. We support families throughout the 11+ journey with:
School choice guidance to align aspirations with the right options.
Focused content revision and exam technique, using past paper practice, detailed feedback, and targeted development strategies. We also offer preparation in English and verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
Learn more about our support for other subjects and tests:
Practice tests under timed conditions to build exam stamina.
Interview preparation to help students shine beyond the written exam.
Ongoing subject tuition to strengthen foundations and stretch ability.
Flexible support for busy families. We offer in-person (in London), online, and hybrid tutoring.
Book a free call with U2 Tuition today to see how our 11+ Maths experts can support your child’s success.