Year 5 is the year most families shift from gentle exposure into consistent, structured 11+ preparation. Format familiarisation begins in earnest, regular practice papers and timed exercises become part of the routine, and vocabulary steps up in difficulty. Here is what actually deserves your time this year, the real Year 5 spelling words your child should be meeting, and which of Pip's free resources genuinely fit.
- Year 5 is when regular practice papers, timed exercises and full mock exams typically begin.
- Format familiarisation matters now: confirm which exam board or test your child will sit.
- The Year 5 half of the statutory Years 5/6 spelling list (50 words) is this year's vocabulary core.
- Consistency matters more than long sessions; short daily practice beats occasional long ones.
- Mock exams introduce realistic conditions without the pressure of the real thing.
What Year 5 preparation should actually focus on
Year 5 is when preparation shifts gear. Regular practice papers, timed exercises and full mock exams help your child build speed, stamina and exam confidence, on top of the reading and vocabulary habits Year 4 should already have started.
Our guide to when to start preparing for the 11+ covers the full year-by-year picture; this page focuses specifically on what Year 5 itself should look like.
The first practical step is confirming which test your child will actually sit, since that decides which papers are worth practising. Our guide to 11+ exam types maps out GL, CEM, ISEB and the regional tests so you can check with your school or local authority which applies.
Once that is confirmed, structured practice across every subject your child will be tested on, with genuine time pressure introduced gradually, is the main job of this year. It also helps to understand what format the papers actually take, written, multiple-choice or online, since that shapes how you practise.
Short, regular sessions across the week build more genuine progress than occasional long ones squeezed in at weekends. Aim for a realistic daily or near-daily rhythm your family can actually sustain through the year.
The Year 5 spelling & vocabulary words
The official spelling list for Years 5 and 6 is one combined National Curriculum list, which schools typically split across the two years.
The Year 5 half, 50 words, is this year's vocabulary core: real, curriculum-set words, noticeably harder than the Year 3/4 list your child met in Year 4. Here are five of them, taken directly from the full list:
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| accommodate | verb | to have room for, or to provide a place for someone. |
| ancient | adjective | very old, from a long time ago. |
| government | noun | the group of people who run a country. |
| opportunity | noun | a chance to do something good. |
| persuade | verb | to make someone agree by giving good reasons. |
Every word on the full list comes with a kid-friendly meaning, an example sentence, a simple guide to how it sounds and a note on exactly why it trips children up when it is a tricky spelling.
Flip through all 50 free as flashcards with a match game and spelling test at the Year 5 vocabulary tool, or download the Year 5 Spelling & Vocabulary List PDF to work through at your own pace.
Which of Pip's free resources fit Year 5
This is the year Pip's full toolkit starts to earn its keep. The Year 5 flashcard tool and its matching PDF word list cover this year's vocabulary.
Pip's free practice papers now matter in earnest, both the four subject papers (English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning) and, once you know the exact test, the format-specific papers written to match GL, Kent, CSSE and the other regional formats.
The free score calculator also becomes genuinely useful now: it turns a raw practice mark into an estimated standardised score and percentile, on the same scale GL Assessment and Cambridge report on, so a mark actually means something.
Once your child is comfortable with untimed practice, our guide on whether your child should do 11+ mock exams covers when and how to introduce fuller, timed conditions without tipping into exam stress too early.
Keep the momentum going
Year 5 is the bridge year. It builds directly on the gentle groundwork Year 4 should have laid, and it hands off to Year 6, where the focus narrows to exam technique, timing and calm consolidation in the run-up to exam day.
The three cards below take you straight to the Year 5 tools and what comes next.
Year 5 vocabulary flashcards
All 50 words, free, with a match game and spelling test.
Year 5 word list (PDF)
All 50 words with meanings, examples and how to say them.
Year 6 11+ preparation guide
Exam technique, timing and the final stretch.
Frequently asked questions
What should Year 5 11+ preparation actually involve?+
Regular, structured practice across all the subjects your child will be tested on, format familiarisation once you know the exam type, and the first timed exercises and mock papers. This is the year most families shift from gentle exposure into a consistent routine.
How do I know which 11+ exam my child is sitting?+
It depends on where you live and which schools you are applying to. Our guide to 11+ exam types explains the main test formats (GL, CEM, ISEB and the regional tests) so you can confirm the right one with your school or local authority.
How many words should a Year 5 child know for the 11+?+
There is no fixed number, but the Year 5 half of the statutory Years 5/6 spelling list, 50 words, is a solid, curriculum-matched target to work through this year, alongside the richer vocabulary your child meets through reading.
Should my Year 5 child do full mock exams?+
Introducing mock exams under realistic, timed conditions is a good fit for Year 5, once the basics are in place. Our guide on 11+ mock exams covers when and how to introduce them.
Is Year 5 too late to start preparing for the 11+?+
No. A focused start in Year 5 still works well with consistent daily practice and timed papers. You will simply need to prioritise and keep sessions regular rather than long.
What does a raw practice score actually mean in Year 5?+
Raw marks alone do not tell you much because they are not adjusted for age or paper difficulty. Our free score calculator turns a raw mark into an estimated standardised score and percentile, on the same scale GL Assessment and Cambridge use.
What if we are behind going into Year 5?+
Prioritise consistency over volume, target the weakest subject first, and keep practice daily so progress adds up. It is still realistic to build strong momentum from here.
Arielle handles SEO and AEO growth at Pip, with over 10 years in the digital marketing space working with brands and founding her own projects.
