---
type: "Article"
title: "What should my child bring to the 11+ exam?"
description: "Most 11+ exams need just a pen, pencil and ruler, and comfortable casual clothes, not uniform. What to pack, what to wear, and what the school provides."
resource: https://pip11plus.com/what-should-my-child-bring-to-the-11-plus-exam
tags: ["11+", "pip"]
timestamp: 2026-10-13T19:50:09Z
image: https://pip11plus.com/info-hub-cards/exam-bag-pip.jpg
---

📝 Exam Day

# What should my child bring to the 11+ exam?

![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png)

**By the Pip team** Updated June 2026

For most 11+ exams, your child needs surprisingly little: usually just a pen, pencil and ruler. Schools send their own instructions a few days before, and some provide extras like lunch or specific equipment. Children are normally asked to wear comfortable casual clothes rather than school uniform. The golden rule is to follow the exact instructions your school sends, because those always override any general advice you read online.

**TL;DR**

-   Most exams need only a pen, pencil and ruler.
-   Comfortable casual clothes are usual, not school uniform.
-   Schools send instructions ahead, and some provide lunch or equipment.
-   Always follow your school's exact list over any general advice.

## What to bring

Keep it simple. A pen, a pencil and a ruler cover most exams, and a spare of each removes any last-minute worry if one fails.

Some schools supply equipment and ask you not to bring your own, so always check the list they send. Packing the night before, with the school's instructions beside the bag, makes the morning calmer, which our guide to [the morning of the exam](https://pip11plus.com/what-to-do-the-morning-of-the-11-plus-exam) covers in more detail.

_Pack the night before: pen, pencil and ruler with spares, water, a snack if allowed, and the school's letter. Wear comfy layers, not uniform._

## What to wear

Comfort wins. Most entrance exams ask for casual clothes rather than uniform, so choose something your child feels relaxed in.

Layers are wise, since exam halls can run warm or cold, and a jumper that can come off keeps your child comfortable either way.

**The school's instructions win every time**

Schools email or post details a few days before, sometimes including what to bring, what is provided, and arrival times. If their advice differs from anything here, follow theirs.

_Whatever you read online, the school's own instructions always win. If anything differs, follow their exact list._

## What the school provides

This varies by school. Some provide all the equipment, some supply water, and a few that run a full exam day even provide lunch.

You will find this in the instructions sent ahead of time, which often also explain timings and arrival. Those details connect to [what happens on exam day](https://pip11plus.com/what-happens-on-11-plus-exam-day) itself.

## A simple exam-day checklist

The night before, lay out the equipment your school allows, fill a water bottle, and pack a small snack if permitted. Put the instructions and any entry letter in the bag too.

Plan to arrive early so there is no rush, and make sure your child has rehearsed [working to time](https://pip11plus.com/how-can-my-child-manage-time-in-the-11-plus-exam) through [mock exams](https://pip11plus.com/should-my-child-do-11-plus-mock-exams) beforehand. The kit is the easy part; the confidence comes from [steady practice with Pip](https://pip11plus.com/index#get) in the weeks before.

![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png)

Written by **The Pip team**

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.

## Keep reading

[What happens on 11+ exam day?](https://pip11plus.com/what-happens-on-11-plus-exam-day): Exam Day Timings, the day itself, and where parents fit in. 4 min read · Exam Day

[What to do the morning of the 11+ exam](https://pip11plus.com/what-to-do-the-morning-of-the-11-plus-exam): Exam Day Breakfast, calm routines and last-minute nerves. 4 min read · Exam Day

[How can my child manage time in the exam?](https://pip11plus.com/how-can-my-child-manage-time-in-the-11-plus-exam): Exam Day Pacing, moving on, and attempting everything. 4 min read · Exam Day

## Walk in calm and ready

Pip turns 11+ practice into five calm minutes a day across maths, English and reasoning, so exam day feels familiar, not frightening.

[Download Pip on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/pip-11-practice/id6775690698) [Get Pip on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pip11plus.app) [Available at Amazon Appstore](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HKGJ4HTP) [More 11+ guides](https://pip11plus.com/info-hub)

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