Year 6 is the exam year itself, and the job changes accordingly. This is no longer about covering new ground: it is about exam technique, timing, full practice papers under realistic conditions, and keeping nerves manageable in the run-up to the test, which usually falls in the autumn term. Here is what actually deserves your time this year, the real Year 6 spelling words your child should be meeting, and which of Pip's free resources genuinely fit.
- Year 6 is for consolidation, exam technique and timing, not new learning.
- The exam usually falls in the autumn term, so the final push is short and focused.
- The Year 6 half of the statutory Years 5/6 spelling list plus stretch words (60 total) is this year's vocabulary target.
- Full, timed mock papers under realistic conditions matter now, in moderation.
- Managing nerves matters as much as academic readiness in the final weeks.
What Year 6 preparation should actually focus on
Year 6 then becomes a calmer consolidation phase, since the exam usually falls in the autumn term. The goal by this point is steady revision and managing nerves, not learning anything brand new.
If your child has followed the earlier years, the raw material is already there; Year 6 is about sharpening it under realistic conditions.
Our guide to when to start preparing for the 11+ covers the full year-by-year picture; this page focuses specifically on what Year 6 itself should look like.
Exam technique and timing take priority: full papers sat under realistic time limits, reviewed calmly afterwards, with a clear sense of what actually happens on exam day itself. Understanding how the 11+ is scored and marked also helps put practice results in perspective, since raw marks alone rarely tell the full story.
By Year 6, most of the academic groundwork is already in place. Calm, familiar routines and realistic mock conditions do more for exam-day performance now than squeezing in extra new material.
The Year 6 spelling & vocabulary words
The official spelling list for Years 5 and 6 is one combined National Curriculum list, split across the two years. The Year 6 half, 50 words, plus a set of harder stretch words beyond the statutory list, 10 more, gives 60 words in total for this year.
The stretch words go beyond what is formally required and reflect the kind of richer Tier 2 vocabulary the 11+ rewards in writing, verbal reasoning and comprehension. Here are five words from this year's list:
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| achieve | verb | to succeed in doing something after trying hard. |
| environment | noun | the natural world around us, or your surroundings. |
| necessary | adjective | needed; something you must have or do. |
| physical | adjective | to do with the body, or things you can touch. |
| resilient | adjective | able to recover quickly after something difficult. |
Every word on the full list comes with a kid-friendly meaning, an example sentence and a simple guide to how it sounds.
Flip through all 60 free as flashcards with a match game and spelling test at the Year 6 vocabulary tool, or download the Year 6 Spelling & Vocabulary List PDF for quick, focused revision passes.
Which of Pip's free resources fit Year 6
The Year 6 flashcard tool and its matching PDF word list are ideal for short, focused revision passes rather than first-time learning.
The full set of free practice papers, both the four subject papers and the format-specific ones matched to GL, Kent, CSSE and the other regional tests, is where most Year 6 practice time should go now, sat under realistic timed conditions.
The score calculator turns each practice mark into a standardised score and percentile so you can track real progress rather than raw numbers, and our guide on 11+ mock exams covers how to pace full papers sensibly through the final months without burning your child out.
If nerves are creeping in, and for most families they do at some point in Year 6, our guides on reducing 11+ exam anxiety and whether your child is too stressed about the 11+ are worth reading alongside the academic preparation, not after it.
Keep the momentum going
Year 6 is the culmination of everything Year 4 and Year 5 built. If your child needs a refresher on the earlier vocabulary or a reminder of how the whole plan fits together, both remain useful right up to exam day.
The three cards below take you straight to the Year 6 tools and the wider preparation plan.
Year 6 vocabulary flashcards
All 60 words, free, with a match game and spelling test.
Year 6 word list (PDF)
All 60 words with meanings, examples and how to say them.
Year 5 11+ preparation guide
The routine and format familiarisation this year builds on.
Frequently asked questions
What should Year 6 11+ preparation focus on?+
Consolidation, not new learning. Exam technique, timing, full practice papers under realistic conditions, and managing nerves matter more now than covering new ground, since the exam usually falls in the autumn term.
How many words should a Year 6 child know for the 11+?+
The Year 6 half of the statutory Years 5/6 spelling list, 50 words, plus a set of stretch words beyond it, 10 more, gives a solid, curriculum-matched target. By Year 6 the emphasis shifts towards using richer vocabulary confidently in writing and comprehension, not just spelling it correctly.
Is it too late to prepare if the exam is only months away?+
No. Focused, consistent practice in the months before the exam can still make a real difference, especially on exam technique and timing, which improve quickly with practice. Prioritise your child's weakest areas first.
How do I help my child manage nerves before the 11+?+
Familiarity helps most: realistic mock papers, a clear idea of what exam day looks like, and calm, matter-of-fact conversation. Our guides on reducing 11+ exam anxiety and what happens on 11+ exam day cover this in detail.
How is the 11+ actually marked?+
Your child's raw score is converted into a standardised score adjusted for their exact age, which is what schools compare. Our guide on how the 11+ is scored and marked explains the full process.
Should my Year 6 child still do timed mock exams close to the real thing?+
Yes, in moderation. Realistic timed conditions build stamina and familiarity, but avoid back-to-back mocks in the final fortnight.
Our guide on 11+ mock exams covers pacing this sensibly.
When do 11+ results come out?+
This varies by area and school, so check with your local authority or the schools you have applied to directly. Our guide on when 11+ results are released explains the general pattern.
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.
