How We Structure GL Preparation in Year 4 and Year 5 at Edvance 11 Plus?

Parents often ask when preparation needs to “get serious”.

It doesn’t suddenly become serious in Year 5.

Strong 11+ results are built earlier — steadily and quietly — so that Year 5 feels controlled rather than pressured.

This is how we structure it at Edvance 11 Plus.

• Year 4 – Getting the Foundations Right
• Year 4 is not about rushing into full papers.
• It is about building the skills properly.
• Vocabulary – Learned Properly, Not Memorised
• Vocabulary work starts early.

Children don’t just learn lists. They meet new words inside carefully chosen passages that stretch them slightly beyond their school level. We discuss meaning, tone, and context. We look at synonyms and antonyms. We use the words in sentences.

We also use vocabulary flashcards for regular recall. That repetition matters.

GL verbal reasoning depends heavily on vocabulary speed. If a child hesitates over word meaning, timing becomes an issue later. It is far easier to fix that in Year 4 than in Year 5.

Maths – Full 11+ Coverage

In Year 4, we make sure maths topics within the 11+ curriculum are properly covered.

Not skimmed. Covered.

Children need secure number sense, accurate methods, and clear written work. They need to handle mixed questions without freezing.

We use targeted maths flashcards to reinforce key methods and improve fluency.

GL maths papers move quickly between topics. If content hasn’t been secured early, timing in Year 5 exposes it immediately.

Year 4 is where we remove those gaps.

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning – Technique First

Reasoning techniques are introduced calmly and without time constraints.

Children learn how to approach codes, letter sequences, closest meaning questions, rotations, reflections, and pattern rules. We teach the thinking behind each format.

Technique flashcards are used to reinforce the approach, not just answers.

By the end of Year 4, children should recognise common GL question types and know what to do when they see them.

That recognition reduces anxiety more than anything else.

Year 5 – Applying Skills Under Pressure

Because the foundations are secure, Year 5 focuses on performance.

Autumn – Timed Sections

We begin with short 10-minute timed sections.

This builds pace gradually. Children learn to:

• – Work efficiently
• – Avoid overthinking
• – Stay focused
• – Make decisions confidently

Every timed task is reviewed carefully. We look at patterns in mistakes, not just scores.

Flashcards continue to support quick recall and reinforcement.

Spring – Full Papers and Mocks

By Spring, children are ready for full papers.

Mocks begin and become a regular part of preparation.

They are not just practice papers. They are training.

Each mock is followed by a detailed diagnostic report analysing section scores, timing, and error patterns. This is then discussed in a telephone call with parents so that the next steps are clear.

Preparation remains structured and targeted.

Summer – Intensive Mock Practice

In the final term, we continue intensely with mock exams.

Children complete exam-standard papers under timed conditions. We refine:

• – Recurring errors
• – Time management
• – Accuracy under fatigue
• – Score consistency

By this stage, children are not learning content for the first time. They are refining execution.

Confidence becomes visible.

Parent Support

Parents in Year 4 and Year 5 are eligible to join our premium support groups.

Within these groups, I share:

• – Preparation advice
• – Short guidance videos
• – Reinforcement worksheets
• – Vocabulary resources
• – Updates aligned to the stage of preparation

This ensures parents understand what we are focusing on and how to support effectively at home.

• Preparation works best when everyone is aligned.
• Strong 11+ results are rarely built in one intense year.
• They are built the year before — carefully, consistently, and with structure.