11+ mock exams: how to use them well

Mock papers separate children who 'know the content' from children who 'know how to perform under exam pressure'. Used well, they build stamina and confidence. Used badly, they crush motivation. Here's the framework we use.

When to start mocks

Most children benefit from mock papers from January of Year 6 — six to nine mocks across the year. Starting earlier rarely helps; children haven't covered enough content to score meaningfully, and a low score in November of Year 5 is demoralising rather than diagnostic.

Mock conditions

Mocks should be timed, in a quiet room, with realistic exam materials (answer sheet, sharpened pencils, no calculator). The first three should be done at home; from the third onwards, consider an external mock day so your child gets used to unfamiliar venues.

Marking and feedback

Don't just give a percentage. Break the result down: which paper, which question types, where time was lost. A 65% with one weak question type is much easier to fix than a 65% scattered across all topics.

What to do with low scores

A low mock six months before the real test is good news, not bad — it identifies what to work on. Frame it that way for your child. The mocks that matter are the ones in August / early September.