What is the 11+ exam?

The 11+ is a selective entrance exam taken by children in Year 5 (occasionally Year 4) to secure a place at a grammar school. It assesses four core areas: Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Which exam boards does Think Smart Academy prepare for?

We prepare students for both GL Assessment and CEM (Durham University) exam boards, covering all question types across both formats.

When should my child start 11+ preparation?

We recommend starting preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, giving your child 12–18 months of structured preparation. Early starters have time to build depth in all four subject areas rather than cramming before the exam.

What is the class size for 11+ tuition?

Our 11+ groups have a maximum of 8 students per class, ensuring every child gets personalised attention and the tutor can monitor individual progress closely.

How much does 11+ tuition cost at Think Smart Academy?

Our 11+ group programme is priced by year group: £120 per month for Year 4 and £185 per month for Year 5, covering 3–4 hours of guided study per week. 1-to-1 sessions are £30 per hour, dropping to £25 per hour for families committing to multiple weekly hours and termly payment. There is no registration fee and no minimum contract.

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes. We offer a free diagnostic assessment for all new students. This helps us understand your child's current level, identify strengths and gaps, and recommend the right programme and start date.

11+ Tuition, Grammar School Preparation

Structured preparation for the 11+ entrance exam, giving your child the skills, confidence, and exam technique to secure a grammar school place.

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1,000+ Grammar School Places 85%+ Success Rate From £120/mo Max 8 Per Class Free Consultation 1,000+ Grammar School Places 85%+ Success Rate From £120/mo Max 8 Per Class Free Consultation

What Is the 11+?

The 11+ is a selective entrance exam taken by children in Year 5 (occasionally Year 4) to secure a place at a grammar school. With thousands of students sitting the same test for a limited number of places, preparation is not optional, it is essential. The exam assesses four core areas: Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

At Think Smart Academy, we have been preparing children for the 11+ for over a decade. Our structured programme covers every question type across the GL Assessment and CEM (Durham University) exam boards. We start with a free diagnostic assessment to identify your child's strengths and weaknesses, then build a targeted study plan that maximises their chances of success.

Our approach goes beyond drilling past papers. We teach students the underlying principles behind each question type, develop efficient time-management strategies, and build the exam-day resilience that makes the difference between a pass and a top score. With over 1,000 grammar school placements and an 85%+ success rate, our track record speaks for itself.

Programme at a Glance

Age Group: Year 4 and Year 5 (ages 8-10)
Exam Boards: GL Assessment, CEM (Durham)
Subjects: Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning
Class Size: Maximum 8 students per group
Pricing (group): Year 4: £120 / month · Year 5: £185 / month
1-to-1 sessions: £25–30 per hour
Includes: Termly mock exams, progress reports
Sessions per week: 3–4 hours of guided study

Choose Your Location

We offer 11+ tuition at both of our centres. Select your nearest location to see timetables, tutors, and local details.

Slough

Brooklands Business Centre, SL2 5DY

01753 531 818

Our flagship centre, serving families across Slough, Langley, Colnbrook, Iver, and Windsor. Targeting GL Assessment grammar schools including Slough Grammar, Herschel Grammar, and Langley Grammar.

View 11+ tuition in Slough →

High Wycombe

First Floor, 18 Crendon Street, HP13 6LS

01494 506 281

Serving High Wycombe, Marlow, Beaconsfield, Amersham, and the wider Buckinghamshire area. Preparing students for the Buckinghamshire grammar school consortium entrance exam.

View 11+ tuition in High Wycombe →

Slough Grammar Schools at a Glance

Four grammar schools in the Slough Consortium accept students through the 11+ exam. Here is how they compare.

Slough Consortium grammar schools, key facts for the 2027 entry cycle
School	Type	Exam Board	Qualifying Score	Ofsted	Places (Year 7)
Herschel Grammar School	Co-educational	GL Assessment	111 (standardised)	Outstanding (2024)	150
Langley Grammar School	Co-educational	GL Assessment	111 (standardised)	Strong, all areas (2026)	180
St Bernard's Catholic Grammar	Co-educational (Catholic)	GL Assessment	111 (standardised)	Outstanding (2023)	150
Upton Court Grammar School	Co-educational	GL Assessment	111 (standardised)	Outstanding (2022)	165

All Slough Consortium schools use the same GL Assessment test, and one registration covers all four. Ofsted stopped issuing overall grades for state schools in September 2024; Langley’s February 2026 report card rated it Strong across all areas. Compare them in detail on our grammar school 11+ guides, or read our full comparison of Slough grammar schools.

Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools

Buckinghamshire uses the Secondary Transfer Test (STT) for grammar school entry. Our High Wycombe centre prepares students for these schools.

Key Buckinghamshire grammar schools near High Wycombe, 2027 entry cycle
School	Type	Exam	Qualifying Score	Ofsted
Royal Grammar School	Boys	Buckinghamshire STT	121 (standardised)	Good (2019)†
Wycombe High School	Girls	Buckinghamshire STT	121 (standardised)	Outstanding (2024)
John Hampden Grammar School	Boys	Buckinghamshire STT	121 (standardised)	Outstanding (2022)
Dr Challoner's Grammar School	Boys	Buckinghamshire STT	121 (standardised)	Outstanding (2019)†
Dr Challoner's High School	Girls	Buckinghamshire STT	121 (standardised)	Outstanding (2023)

Buckinghamshire grammar schools use the Secondary Transfer Test administered by the county council. † RGS and Dr Challoner’s Grammar had ungraded inspections more recently, so Ofsted issued no new overall grade (overall grades were dropped for state schools in September 2024) — the grade shown is from their previous graded inspection. Compare them on our grammar school 11+ guides, or read our full guide to Buckinghamshire grammar schools.

Preparing for a specific grammar school?

We have a dedicated 11+ preparation guide for each grammar school, with its Ofsted standing, latest GCSE results, places and entrance-test details. Pick your target school:

Slough & Reading (our Slough centre)

Herschel Grammar Upton Court Grammar Langley Grammar St Bernard's Catholic Grammar Kendrick Burnham Grammar Reading School

Buckinghamshire (our High Wycombe centre)

Wycombe High Dr Challoner's High Beaconsfield High RGS High Wycombe John Hampden Grammar Dr Challoner's Grammar Borlase AGS Aylesbury High Sir Henry Floyd Chesham Grammar Royal Latin

Compare all grammar schools side by side →

11+ Preparation: Your Options Compared

There are several ways to prepare your child for the 11+. Here is how they compare on cost, structure, and outcomes.

11+ preparation options compared, cost, class size, and features
Option	Cost	Class Size	Mock Exams	Progress Reports	Past Papers
Think Smart Academy (group, Year 4)	£120 / month	1:8 max	Termly, included	Yes, every term	Free online library
Think Smart Academy (group, Year 5)	£185 / month	1:8 max	Termly, included	Yes, every term	Free online library
Think Smart Academy (1-to-1)	£25–30 / hour	1:1	Termly, included	Yes, every term	Free online library
Private tutor (typical)	£40–60 / hour	1:1	Varies	Rarely	Parent must source
Online platform (e.g. Atom)	£20–30 / month	Self-paced	Online only	Automated	Digital only
DIY with books	£50–150 total	Parent-led	None	None	Parent must source

Prices are indicative and based on typical rates in the Slough and High Wycombe area as of 2026. Book a free trial to experience our 11+ programme first-hand.

11+ Subject Breakdown

A summary of what each 11+ subject covers and how our programme prepares your child.

11+ exam subjects, topics covered and preparation approach at Think Smart Academy
Subject	Key Topics	Question Types	TSA Preparation
Maths	Number, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, algebra, geometry, data handling	Multi-step problem-solving, word problems, speed/distance/time	Weekly topic sessions + timed practice papers
English	Comprehension, inference, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, creative writing	Cloze passages, multiple-choice comprehension, extended writing	Passage analysis drills + vocabulary building programme
Verbal Reasoning	Analogies, codes, letter sequences, hidden words, cloze passages	21 GL Assessment question types	All 21 question types taught + speed drills
Non-Verbal Reasoning	Pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, reflections, rotations, 3D nets	Shape analogies, series completion, odd-one-out	Systematic strategies for unfamiliar formats

What the 11+ Covers

The 11+ exam tests four core subjects. Our programme covers every question type across all four areas with dedicated sessions for each.

Maths

Number, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, algebra, geometry, data handling, and multi-step problem-solving, all at advanced KS2 level.

English

Reading comprehension, inference and deduction, grammar and punctuation, creative writing, vocabulary building, and timed practice with exam-style passages.

Verbal Reasoning

All 21 GL Assessment question types including analogies, codes, letter sequences, cloze passages, hidden words, and speed drills for timed conditions.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

Pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, reflections and rotations, 3D nets, shape analogies, and systematic approaches to unfamiliar question formats.