--- type: "Article" title: "When should we start 11+ tutoring?" description: "If you use an 11+ tutor, Year 4 or 5 is typical, to build skills methodically rather than cram. When to start, and what makes a good tutor." resource: https://pip11plus.com/when-should-we-start-11-plus-tutoring tags: ["11+", "pip"] timestamp: 2026-10-13T19:50:09Z image: https://pip11plus.com/info-hub-cards/tutoring-pip.jpg --- 👩‍🏫 Tutoring # When should we start 11+ tutoring? ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) **By the Pip team** Updated June 2026 If you decide to use a tutor for the 11+, Year 4 or Year 5 is the typical time to start. Beginning then lets skills build methodically, week by week, rather than being crammed in the final months. The exact start point matters less than giving your child enough runway to work calmly. It also helps to choose well: a good tutor knows your target school's exam board, tracks progress, and builds confidence alongside knowledge. **TL;DR** - If you use a tutor, Year 4 or 5 is the usual time to start. - Starting early lets skills build steadily instead of being crammed. - A good tutor knows your exam board, tracks progress and builds confidence. - Pair any tutoring with daily home practice for the best results. ## When to start tutoring Year 4 or 5 is the sweet spot for most families who tutor. That gives a comfortable runway to cover the content, meet the reasoning papers, and rehearse under timed conditions without a rush at the end. This lines up closely with the broader question of [when to start preparing](https://pip11plus.com/when-should-you-start-preparing-for-the-11-plus) at all, whether or not a tutor is involved. The earlier, gentler start almost always beats a frantic late one. ## Why not leave it late The skills the 11+ rewards, especially reasoning and [vocabulary](https://pip11plus.com/ks2-games-arcade/11-plus-vocabulary-games/), grow slowly through repeated exposure. They cannot be installed in a term. A late start also piles pressure onto a child at exactly the wrong moment, which raises stress and risks burnout. Starting earlier spreads the load and keeps confidence intact for the day that counts. **Match the tutor to the exam board** Before you book anyone, find out which board your target schools use. A tutor who knows that format well will be far more efficient than a generalist, so confirm their experience with it. ## What makes a good tutor Three qualities separate a strong tutor from an average one. They know the specific exam your child will sit, they track progress so you can see what is improving, and they build confidence rather than just covering content. Knowledge of the format is non-negotiable, because [GL and CEM](https://pip11plus.com/what-is-the-difference-between-gl-and-cem) need different preparation. A tutor who cannot tell you which one your schools use is not the right fit. If you are looking at a tutor for maths alone, our [Synthesis Tutor review](https://pip11plus.com/synthesis-tutor-review) and [Synthesis Tutor alternatives](https://pip11plus.com/synthesis-tutor-alternatives) are a useful starting point. _Choosing an 11+ tutor? Look for three things: they know your exam board, they track progress, and they build confidence, not just cover content._ ## Tutoring plus home practice Even the best tutor sees your child for an hour or so a week. The other days are where most progress is made, so a tutor works best on top of a steady home routine. Keep daily practice ticking over between sessions, sized to [how much your child should study](https://pip11plus.com/how-many-hours-a-week-should-my-child-study-for-the-11-plus), and use [mock exams](https://pip11plus.com/should-my-child-do-11-plus-mock-exams) for timed rehearsal. An app like [Pip](https://pip11plus.com/#get) can carry that daily practice so the tutor time is spent on the things only a person can do. ![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 [The best 11+ tutoring agencies in the UK](https://pip11plus.com/best-11-plus-tutoring-agencies): Tutoring 7 real agencies compared: price, format, reviews. 9 min read · Tutoring [Does my child need a tutor for the 11+?](https://pip11plus.com/does-my-child-need-a-tutor-for-the-11-plus): Tutoring When tuition helps, and when it does not. 5 min read · Tutoring [Can I tutor my child myself for the 11+?](https://pip11plus.com/can-i-tutor-my-child-myself-for-the-11-plus): Tutoring Yes, with a plan. The benefits and pitfalls. 5 min read · Tutoring [Is group or one-to-one tuition better?](https://pip11plus.com/is-group-or-one-to-one-tuition-better-for-the-11-plus): Tutoring The trade-offs, and a third option. 4 min read · Tutoring ## Start the habit early Pip turns 11+ practice into five calm minutes a day across maths, English and reasoning, the perfect base whether or not you add a tutor. [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) Free forever · no sign-up