- Finding facts (retrieval): locating information that is stated in the text.
- Reading between the lines (inference): working out what the text suggests but does not say.
- How the writer uses words (language analysis): explaining why a word or image was chosen and its effect.
- Spelling, punctuation, grammar and writing (SPaG and writing): accurate English, and in some tests a written task.
- Formats vary: some tests are multiple choice, others want written answers. Check your test's familiarisation material.
11+ English checks four skills again and again, whatever the test is called. Knowing them helps you see exactly where your child is losing marks.
Below, each skill is explained in everyday words first, with the exam term in brackets. You will see what the questions look like, the usual mistakes and a simple home routine.
Mira reached the bus stop just as the doors folded shut. She did not run after it.
Instead she sat on the cold bench, pulled her scarf up to her nose and stared at the empty road for a long time.
1. Finding facts (retrieval)
These questions ask for something the text states directly. They are the easiest marks, and the ones children most often throw away.
What it looks like: "What did Mira pull up to her nose?" or "Give two details about the bench."
- Common mistakes: answering from memory instead of checking; giving one detail when the question asks for two; copying a whole paragraph.
- Home routine: after any page of reading, ask three quick "who, where, what" questions and have your child point to the line.
2. Reading between the lines (inference)
These questions ask what the text suggests. The answer is not written down, but clues in the text make it likely.
What it looks like: "How does Mira feel when she misses the bus? Use evidence."
A good answer: she feels defeated, because she does not run after it and stares at the road "for a long time".
- Common mistakes: guessing without a clue; giving a feeling but no evidence; jumping to one reading when two are possible.
- Home routine: pause a story and ask "How does she feel? How do you know?" Build feeling words from simple to precise, such as sad, low, defeated.
3. How the writer uses words (language analysis)
These questions ask why the writer chose a word, image or sentence shape. Your child needs to explain the effect on the reader, not just name the technique.
What it looks like: "Why has the writer used the phrase 'the doors folded shut'?" A good answer: it sounds quiet and final, like a door closing on her plans.
- Common mistakes: naming a simile or metaphor and stopping there; giving the dictionary meaning of a word instead of its meaning in the passage.
- Home routine: pick one sentence a day from a book and ask "Which word is doing the most work? What does it make you picture?"
4. Spelling, punctuation, grammar and writing (SPaG and writing)
Many tests check accurate English through spelling, punctuation and grammar questions. Some also include a written task, such as a story, description or piece of persuasion.
What it looks like: "Choose the correctly punctuated sentence", "Find the spelling mistake", or "Continue the story in your own words". Homophones such as their and there are a common trap in these questions.
- Common mistakes: missing commas and apostrophes; doubled letters spelt wrongly; strong ideas spoilt by rushed, careless sentences.
- Home routine: 10 spellings a week learnt by meaning, and one short paragraph a week that your child checks for three errors before you read it.
See our guides on which 11+ exams include creative writing and how to mark 11+ creative writing.
Multiple choice vs written answers
Formats vary by test and can change from year to year. Some tests use multiple choice answer sheets, while others ask for written answers and sometimes a writing task.
Practise both, because writing full answers trains the careful reading that multiple choice also needs. Then check the format of your own test with our board guides:
- GL Assessment 11+ explained
- CEM (Cambridge) 11+ explained
- Kent Test explained
- FSCE 11+ explained
- Sutton SET explained
- ISEB Common Pre-Test explained
Where to go next
For the reading skills, start with our 11+ comprehension guide and the free comprehension worksheets. Two common questions have their own guides: questions or passage first and comparing two texts.
For practice questions, see 11+ English questions and our free English practice papers. Pip offers adaptive English practice that moves up or back a step based on your child's answers.
Frequently asked questions
What does the 11+ English exam test?+
Four main skills: finding facts (retrieval), reading between the lines (inference), how the writer uses words (language analysis), and spelling, punctuation, grammar and writing. The mix and format vary by test.
Is 11+ English multiple choice?+
It depends on the test. Some use multiple choice answer sheets and others want written answers, so check your test's familiarisation material.
Which skill do children find hardest?+
Inference and language analysis usually take longest to build. Both need your child to back up an idea with evidence and explain it.
Is there creative writing in the 11+?+
In some tests, yes. Check your test's familiarisation material, and see our guide to which 11+ exams include creative writing.
How can I help my child with 11+ English at home?+
Daily reading, short talks about what a text suggests, a few spellings each week and one written paragraph a week cover all four skills.
Does vocabulary matter for 11+ English?+
Yes. A wide vocabulary helps with every skill, from understanding the passage to choosing precise words in writing.
The Pip team builds Pip, the 11+ and KS2 practice app for children in years three to six. We write these guides from real exam formats and past papers.
