The honest answer...

Revising for the 11+ in three months is tough. It’s definitely possible, but it is a lot of work... and depends on which three months you’re working with.

If your first exam is in November and you’re starting in August or September, you have very little time to identify and properly address gaps, especially with the added pressure of school. On top of that, you’ll need to make sure your preparation matches the level expected by the schools you’re applying to.

However, if your three months include the summer holidays, things feel much more manageable. You have more time in the day, and preparation doesn’t feel quite as rushed.

If you do find yourself with just three months to go, this is the approach I would take.

In The First 6 Weeks…

1. Know what your child is sitting

Start by finding out exactly which exams your child will be taking. I go into more detail on this here: 11+ Exams Explained.

11+ exams vary depending on school, and some children will sit online tests covering English, maths, verbal reasoning and/or non-verbal reasoning, whilst others may have written papers only or in addition.

This step is crucial! You need to know what you’re preparing for before you begin.

If you’re unsure about timings and when exams take place, I’ve explained the full timeline here: What time of year is the 11+?

2. Get the right resources

Once you know the format, make sure you’re using the right materials.

For example, if your child is sitting mostly written papers, online platforms like Atom Learning can be helpful for targeted practice but they shouldn’t be your main focus as they only give multiple-choice questions.

Written papers = use written resources and past papers.

Computer tests = use platforms such as Atom Learning.

I break down the best resources further in this post: The Best 11+ Resources 2026

3. Use practice papers to find gaps

At this stage, the goal is not perfection. It’s to identify gaps.

To find gaps, use practice papers. At this stage, the focus is on identifying the main areas your child is struggling with, reviewing these together and then applying them to exam-style questions.

I like books such as CGP to do this. I would avoid using online platforms to find gaps. These are best used for practice once you have identified these gaps.

If you’re struggling to find English comprehension resources (certainly have in the past). I have a free comprehension and creative writing resource here: Free Resources.

Marking advice: If you find marking English or written work difficult or time-consuming, I’ve developed a tool that can do this for you and provide clear next steps. You can try it for free.

4. Identify patterns in mistakes

Your child will need to complete multiple papers to build a clear picture. In the first couple of weeks, don’t worry too much about timing. Focus instead on accuracy and understanding.

After each paper, look for patterns. In maths, it might be fractions or percentages. In English, it could be vocabulary or inference questions.

Once you have a clear list, you can begin to focus your teaching.

5. Teach, don’t just practice

This is one of the most important parts. If your child is struggling with a topic, they need to be taught it properly, not just given more questions they continue to get wrong.

Take time to explain the method, work through examples together, and then apply it back to exam-style questions.

I have free guides in my resources section to help with this.

6. Build a simple routine

If you’re working through the summer holidays, aim for around two hours a day (or three if you can), Monday to Friday.

Keep it consistent.
Work through papers, identify gaps, teach the content, then apply it again.

That cycle is where the real progress happens.

The Second 6 Weeks

In the second half of your three months, the focus starts to shift slightly.

1. Introduce timed practice

Begin introducing timed papers each week. This helps your child become more comfortable working under pressure and builds exam confidence gradually.

2. Don’t forget creative writing

Creative writing is often overlooked, but it’s incredibly important. For many children, it’s the only opportunity in the exam to show personality, creativity, and control of language.

Make sure you are practising this regularly (once a week should be fine). I have guides on structuring creative writing and support with marking here.

3. Keep working on weak areas

By now, you should have a good understanding of your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

Keep returning to the areas they find most difficult. Progress here can be slower, but consistency is key.

It’s completely normal to revisit the same topics multiple times. In fact, it is very necessary. Your child probably won’t get the hang of a strategy in one go and then remember it forever – so keep revisiting!

4. Keep going

This is often the hardest stage.

Everyone is a bit tired, and progress can feel slow. But by this point, you will have covered a huge amount, even if it doesn’t always feel like it day to day.

Stick with it!!

Final Thoughts

Preparing for the 11+ in three months is challenging, but it can be done with a clear plan and consistent effort.

That said, if you do have the option, starting earlier does make the process much less pressured. I share more on when to When Should You Start 11+ Preparation. 

Finally, it’s important not to compare yourself to what others are doing. You know your child and your own capacity for work so focus on making the most of what works for you.

It’s easy to hear stories about four hours of tutoring a day, but in reality, I don’t know a single tutor who offers this regularly outside of short booster courses.

The key is to stay focused, keep things structured, and support your child steadily along the way.